Air Fryer Tofu

This crispy tofu recipe is full of flavor made by cooking cubes of marinated tofu in the air fryer with very little oil and made to perfection every time. They can be served as a side dish or topped on salads, pasta, or noodles.

I used my Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer for this recipe. I love this because you can get the food in a single layer all at once, and dinner is ready in 30 minutes or less. Any air fryer brand like Cosori 5.8QT, Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven, Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Duo Crisp works here.

Jump to:

• Ingredients for Air Fryer Tofu
• How to Make Crispy Tofu in Air Fryer
• Crispy Tofu in the Oven
• How to Make Marinated Crispy Tofu on Stovetop
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Suggestions
• Tips to make the Best Crispy Tofu
• Variations
• More Tofu Recipes
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• Air Fryer Tofu

Ingredients for Air Fryer Tofu

• Extra Firm Tofu - Only extra-firm or firm tofu will work for this recipe. Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove all the excess moisture. Removing the moisture helps to make the tofu cubes crispy.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce - Or tamari (for gluten-free). Because it adds the extra zing to the dish. You can also use liquid aminos or coconut aminos.
• Sesame oil - Sesame oil gives a nutty, umami-like flavor, and helps to crisp up the tofu. So dont skimp on the oil. You can also use olive oil or any vegetable oil if you don't have sesame oil.
• Spices - I have used garlic powder, red chili powder (or paprika), salt, and pepper for seasoning. You may use your favorite go-to spices.
• Maple Syrup - you can also use agave. It helps to balance the flavors and doesn't make it sweet.
• Rice Vinegar - gives a tart and sweet taste to the dish. You can skip it if you don't have one.
• Cornstarch - This is the secret ingredient to make extra crispy tofu. You can also substitute with Arrowroot starch.

How to Make Crispy Tofu in Air Fryer

Press extra-firm tofu with some heavy objects for at least 30 minutes. This will drain the excess moisture.

Then cut the tofu into cubes.

In a mixing jar, add garlic powder, red chili powder (or sriracha), soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup (or agave), sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well with a whisker until well blended, and keep aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, place the pressed tofu. Add the prepared soy sauce marinade and toss to coat. Let the tofu sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Then, when you are ready for Air frying, add a tablespoon of cornstarch and toss well to combine. Cornstarch helps to make the tofu crispier and is optional.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (203°C). Add the marinated tofu to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required).

Air fryer them at 400°F (203°C) for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown, and crispy. Shake the basket halfway through.

The air fryer marinated tofu is ready to serve. Remove to a serving plate, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve warm.

Crispy Tofu in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated tofu evenly in a single layer.

Bake at 400°F for 20-30 minutes till they turn crispy on the edges. Turn halfway through cooking time.

How to Make Marinated Crispy Tofu on Stovetop

Heat the pan or skillet over medium-high heat, and add some oil. Then, arrange all the marinated tofu in a single layer. Again, lightly brush or spray some oil on the top. Cook from both sides until it turns golden brown in color.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this air-fried tofu as a side dish with a dipping sauce, or as an appetizer, or top it on stir-fries, pasta, noodles, or salads.

Storage Suggestions

Make Ahead: Let the tofu sit in the soy sauce marinade for up to 1 day in advance in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, toss in cornstarch and air fry.

Fridge: You can store the leftover air-fried tofu cubes in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

Reheat: Reheat the tofu in the air fryer @ 380ºF for about 3 to 5 minutes to get crispy tofu.

Tips to make the Best Crispy Tofu

• Tofu Type: Extra-firm or firm tofu works best for this recipe. I do not recommend using silken tofu. It will yield the wrong texture and will break apart.
• Press the tofu: Make sure to press the tofu using a tofu press or a heavy object like cast iron to remove excess moisture. Wrap the extra-firm tofu in paper towels and place a heavy object, like a cast iron skillet, on top. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. This helps to remove excess moisture and makes the tofu crispy when air-fried.
• Marination: Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes or a few hours, so they absorb more flavors from the marinade.  
• Cornstarch: I highly recommend adding cornstarch to the tofu, as it helps to absorb excess moisture and makes it extra crispy.
• Cut into the same size: Cut the tofu into cubes of the same size, which helps quick and even cooking.
• If you see your tofu drying, brush some oil on them to retain the moisture.

Variations

• Keto: To make a Keto-friendly version, skip the cornstarch and maple syrup in this recipe.
• Seasonings: You can also use Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, or barbeque seasoning.

More Tofu Recipes

• Tofu Bhurji
• Tandoori Tofu Tikka
• Palak Tofu
• Tofu Paratha
• Thai Red Curry
• Panang Curry

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Perfect Roasted Asparagus
• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
• Masala Peanuts
• Tandoori Gobi
• Beetroot Cutlet
• Green Beans

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