If you ask me, air fryer tofu is a total game-changer.
This crispy plant-based protein turns out perfectly golden brown without using much oil at all. The outside gets wonderfully crunchy while the inside stays nice and tender.
It’s tossed with a simple mix of soy sauce and seasonings before hitting the air fryer basket, where hot circulating air does all the work. A quick shake halfway through cooking ensures even browning on all sides.
It’s a fuss-free cooking method that gives you restaurant-style tofu right at home, perfect for adding to stir-fries, rice bowls, or eating straight from the basket.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Tofu
- Quick and easy – Ready in just 25 minutes, this air fryer tofu is perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you need something fast but satisfying.
- Crispy exterior – The air fryer creates perfectly crispy tofu cubes without using loads of oil – you’ll get that satisfying crunch with just a tiny bit of sesame oil.
- Diet-friendly – This recipe is naturally vegan, low-carb, and high in protein, making it perfect for various dietary needs and healthy eating plans.
- Basic pantry ingredients – You’ll only need common spices and seasonings you probably already have in your kitchen, plus a block of tofu.
What Kind of Tofu Should I Use?
While you’ll see several types of tofu at the store, extra-firm tofu is definitely your best bet for air frying. Regular or silken tofu contains too much moisture and will fall apart, while firm or extra-firm tofu holds its shape and gets nice and crispy in the air fryer. Before cooking, you’ll want to press your tofu for about 30 minutes to remove excess moisture – just wrap it in paper towels and place something heavy on top like a cast iron pan. If you’re in a rush, you can find “super-firm” tofu that’s already been pressed, though it’s usually a bit more expensive than regular extra-firm tofu.
Options for Substitutions
This air fryer tofu recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can switch up:
- Extra firm tofu: This is really the star ingredient that can’t be substituted. However, if you can only find firm tofu, that works too – just press it for an extra 15 minutes to remove more moisture.
- Cornstarch: You can swap cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch in equal amounts. All-purpose flour works too, but use 2½ teaspoons instead of 2 for similar crispiness.
- Light soy sauce: Coconut aminos, tamari (for gluten-free), or regular soy sauce all work well here. Just note that regular soy sauce is saltier, so reduce the added salt by half.
- Sesame oil: While sesame oil adds nice flavor, you can use any neutral oil like avocado, olive, or vegetable oil. The tofu will still turn out crispy!
- Seasonings: Feel free to play around with the spices – chili powder, curry powder, or Italian seasoning can work great. Just keep the total amount of dry seasonings similar to maintain the right texture.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest mistake when preparing air fryer tofu is skipping the pressing step – not removing excess moisture will leave you with soft, spongey cubes instead of crispy ones, so take time to press your tofu properly for at least 30 minutes. Another common error is overcrowding the air fryer basket – make sure to arrange your tofu pieces in a single layer with space between them, working in batches if needed, so the hot air can circulate and create that golden-brown exterior. To achieve the crispiest results, don’t forget to shake the basket halfway through cooking, and avoid using too much oil – a light coating is all you need since the air fryer already works with minimal oil. For the best texture, toss your tofu cubes in cornstarch before adding the seasonings – this creates a thin coating that becomes wonderfully crispy in the air fryer.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Tofu?
This crispy air fryer tofu makes a great protein addition to so many different meals! I love serving it over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa with some stir-fried veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas on the side. For a quick weeknight dinner, you can toss it into a simple noodle bowl with your favorite Asian-style sauce, or add it to a fresh salad for some extra protein. If you’re meal prepping, this tofu works really well in grain bowls with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of peanut sauce or teriyaki glaze.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover air fryer tofu? Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The tofu might lose a bit of its crispiness, but it’ll still taste great in salads, grain bowls, or as a quick snack.
Meal Prep: This tofu is perfect for meal prep! Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have protein-packed cubes ready to toss into your lunches all week. Just store them separately from any sauces or dressings to keep them from getting soggy.
Crisp Up: To bring back that nice crispy exterior, just pop your leftover tofu back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 375°F. You can also warm it up in a regular oven or toaster oven, though it might take a few minutes longer. Avoid using the microwave if you want to maintain any crispiness.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 400-450
- Protein: 36-40 g
- Fat: 20-25 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Ingredients
- 16 oz block of extra firm tofu, pressed for 30 minutes and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (or any oil)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
Step 1: Marinate the Tofu
Start by placing pressed and cubed tofu into a medium-sized bowl.
Pour in liquid aminos and toss the tofu cubes to ensure they are thoroughly coated.
Add in all other seasoning ingredients, including the oil, and toss well to combine.
The seasoning should be evenly distributed over the tofu cubes.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Tofu in the Air Fryer
Transfer the seasoned tofu cubes into your air fryer, arranging them in a single row.
Make sure there is a little space around each piece for even cooking.
Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the tofu for 10 minutes.
At the 5-minute mark, shake the basket gently to ensure even cooking, and then continue cooking for the remaining time.
Step 3: Cool and Serve
Once the tofu is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer.
Allow the tofu to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, flavorful tofu bites on their own or as part of your favorite dish!