Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
Whether you’re brand new to the world of tofu, or you’ve made it hundreds of times- this is the best crispy air fryer tofu recipe you will ever try! As someone who’s been cooking tofu for 7+ years, I’ve learned how to master this plant-based protein and make it taste crispy and delicious! Find all the tips and tricks below.
What you’ll love about this Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
What type of tofu is best for cooking?
For cooking, extra-firm tofu is often the best choice for multiple reasons. It is especially good as air fryer tofu because it crisps up really nicely!
Extra firm tofu is:
- Denser
- Has lower water content
- Holds it shape well for grilling, baking, stir-frying
Can I use firm or silken tofu?
Firm tofu is more likely to crumble for basic tofu dishes. It’s good on top of salads or in soups.
Silken tofu has a high moisture content and is too soft for many tofu dishes. Enjoy silken tofu in dessert (like tofu mousse), smoothies, and more. Check out this post all about silken tofu to learn more ways to use it!
- Cutting board
- Dish cloth or paper towels
- Heavy objects such as 3-4 cans OR a tofu press
- Small and large bowl
- Air fryer
What you need for this easy tofu recipe:
- Extra firm tofu: You will need one block (14 or 16 oz) of extra firm tofu. You can find this in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores. Be sure to check the label for “extra firm” as this is critical in making a crispy tofu (I’ve definitely chosen the wrong one accidentally too many times!) I recommend pressing your tofu for at least 20 minutes to help remove excess liquid and improve the texture.
- Marinade:
- Soy sauce: You can use tamari or coconut aminos as a gluten-free alternative.
- Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar: Balances the salty/savory soy sauce
- Maple syrup: Add a touch of sweetness. You can use brown sugar as an alternative.
- Sesame oil: This adds so much flavor to the tofu! I don’t recommend substituting with other oil like olive oil or canola because they will not provide the flavor you need.
- Spices: Sriracha (optional), garlic powder, onion powder
What type of air fryer should I get?
There’s lots of air fryers on the market in many sizes. I personally prefer a larger air fryer (6 quarts) because you can fit 2-3 blocks of tofu in it. This Cosori Air Fryer is my favorite that I currently use!
How to Air Fry Tofu in 5 Easy Steps
Step 1: Press it
Make sure to press your tofu for at least 20 minutes, ideally for 1 hour if possible, for the a denser block that will not break apart easily.
Step 2: Cube it
Cut your pressed tofu in even cubes- you can do smaller cubes (1-1.5 inches) or larger (2 inches). FYI this will affect cooking time.
Step 3: Make your marinade
In a large bowl, whisk your marinade. Pour your tofu cubes into the bowl and gently toss with your hands until it is completely coated.
Optional: Let it marinate for 15 minutes for more flavor OR air fry right away.
Step 4: Air Fry it!
Pour your tofu cubes into the air fryer basket and gently shake to spread them out as best as you can. If any cubes are stuck together make sure to separate them.
Air fry the tofu at 400 F for 12-16 minutes, gently shaking halfway. The larger your cubes, the longer it will take for them to cook, so adjust the time accordingly. Your tofu should be crispy and golden on the outside.
Step 5: Serve
Serve your air fryer tofu right away with a side of rice, stir fried veggies, or whatever you enjoy!
Pro Tips
- If you don’t know what to pair with this crispy air fryer tofu, check out this incredible list of what to serve with tofu!
- Press your tofu overnight if you have time. I love to use this tofu press, although the downside is it can only press one tofu block at a time.
How to store leftover Air Fryer Tofu
An FYI about tofu: It’s crispiest and most delicious the day you make it. However, it’s still good days later but you may not have that same perfect texture on Day 1. Tofu makes for GREAT leftovers so don’t let this scare you away from making a big batch to have throughout the week because it’s STILL delicious!
Storage: I recommend storing your leftover tofu in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If possible, separate it from other sides you may have made with the tofu – especially ones that are “wetter” like certain veggies (zucchini, bell peppers, etc). It also love to freeze it for up to 2 months. Freezing tofu actually changes the texture inside – so it may taste a little different – but in a good way!
Reheating tofu: I mentioned that the crispiest tofu is best enjoyed the day you make it – BUT you can regain some of this crispiness if you throw it back in the air fryer or even in a pan. Microwaving does not add any crispiness back (which is probably obvious to you). The trick is to not overcook it or else you are left with rock-solid tofu blocks (NOT good!)
Air fryer reheat: 350 F for 4-7 minutes, shaking halfway.
Pan fry reheat: Medium heat with a touch of oil for 3-5 minutes
Microwave reheat: 30-45 seconds on high heat
Crispy Tofu Air Fryer FAQs
Generally the answer is no, unless your air fryer specifically recommends this.
There can be multiple factors that can contribute to your air fryer tofu not getting crispy.
– Your tofu wasn’t extra firm –> Make sure to choose EF tofu or Superfirm
– You didn’t press your tofu for long enough –> Press for at least 20 minutes, optimally one hour!
– Your air fryer basket was too crowded –> Spread the tofu cubes out when you add them to the air fryer. Choose a large 6 quart air fryer for optimal cooking.
– You didn’t shake your tofu halfway through –> Shaking halfway helps expose more surface of each tofu cube to get crispy
If you have time, you can let it marinate for 15 minutes – 1 hour. If you have time, let it marinate overnight for extra flavor to your air fryer tofu!
To use or not to use cornstarch? This is the debate about crispy air fryer tofu! In some of my recipes I use cornstarch to give it a crispier outer coating – but over time I have come to find that the cornstarch can alter the flavor of the tofu slightly, and not in a pleasant way. Also, as air fryer technology has improved, the tofu is able to become extremely crispy without cornstarch. Therefore, this recipe is cornstarch free!
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Air Fried Tofu Recipe
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Ingredients
- 14 oz extra firm tofu* pressed for 20 minutes, ideally 1 hour if possible
Marinade
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gf option
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha optional
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Cut your pressed tofu in 1-1.5 inch even cubes.14 oz extra firm tofu*
- In a large bowl, whisk your marinade. Pour your tofu cubes into the bowl and gently toss with your hands until it is completely coated.2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sriracha, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Let it marinate for 15 minutes for more flavor (or overnight for the MOST flavor).
- Pour your tofu cubes into the air fryer basket and gently shake to spread them out as best as you can. If any cubes are stuck together make sure to separate them. Tip: If possible, avoid pouring excess marinade liquid into the air fryer – it will likely smoke and also make your tofu cubes less crispy!
- Air fry the tofu at 400 F for 12-16 minutes, gently shaking halfway. The larger your cubes, the longer it will take for them to cook, so adjust the time accordingly. Your tofu should be crispy and golden on the outside.
- Serve right away with a side of rice, stir fried veggies, or whatever you enjoy!*See below for a great list of what to serve with tofu!
Notes
- Sesame oil –> Olive oil
- Maple syrup –> Brown sugar
- Garlic powder –> Minced garlic
- Soy sauce –> Tamari, Coconut Aminos, or LS Soy Sauce
- Sriracha –> Chili powder (only use 1/4 – 1/2 tsp, depending on spice preference)
The marinade on this tofu is so good! This recipe is super easy to make and pairs great with so many different veggies and grains – hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
Hi!
This sounds scrumptious! Can you do the tofu in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer and if so what would the cooking instructions be? Thanks!
Hi! Most definitely – you can bake it at 400 F for 22-25 minutes. Make sure to spread out the cubes evenly. I like to give it a stir halfway through. Bake them until golden and a little crisp on the outside (this will be close to 25 minutes, but cook time can vary based on oven temp and size of the cubes)