Air Fried Tofu

I love making air fried tofu for the perfect savory snack or protein to go with dinner. My recipe turns out so crunchy and flavorful, it transformed my skeptical family into tofu lovers at first bite!

My Recipe for Crispy Tofu in the Air Fryer

I am a huge fan of tofu, so I just needed to get my recipe for air fried tofu down to that perfectly crispy texture I love.

Now I’ve baked, pan fried, and grilled tofu in the past, but cooking tofu in an air fryer came out so incredibly crispy with a lot less oil than other cooking methods – and in much less time!

I find just a bit of cornstarch helps get the tofu extra crispy while the other ingredients bring in a burst of flavor that complement the tofu. Tofu likes to take on the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with, so I had to make it flavorful!

My daughter Leah has been loving the tofu when I air fry it and loves eating it coated in sweet and sour sauce along with some rice and veggies.

For more vegetarian friendly air fryer recipes, try my recipes for air fryer tempeh, air fryer falafel, air fryer beyond burgers, and air fryer carrots.

Air Fryer Tofu Ingredients

• Extra firm tofu – Extra-firm tofu has the least moisture for the crispiest air fried tofu. I’ve also used firm tofu with success. Silken tofu will not work.
• Soy sauce – Adds a salty kick. I sometimes use tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Avocado oil – A great high-heat oil to crisp up the tofu. I’ve used vegetable oil and olive oil with success too.
• Sesame oil – Adds nutty depth to the flavor.
• Rice vinegar – Balances the marinade with some acidity.
• Seasonings – I use garlic powder and ginger powder add big, bold flavor.
• Cornstarch – Creates a golden, crunchy coating on the tofu. I’ve tried breading and other ingredients, but find cornstarch gets that perfect crispy texture. Arrowroot starch would be the next best thing.

How to Cook Tofu in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: First, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. I use a tofu press, but you can also wrap the tofu in a clean, lint free kitchen towel and set a heavy skillet or cutting board on top. Allow it to sit like this for about 15 minutes.

STEP TWO: Once pressed, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. 

STEP THREE: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, avocado oil, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic powder, and ground ginger. 

STEP FOUR: Pour the mixture over the tofu chunks then marinate it for at least 15 minutes.  

STEP FIVE: Next, sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu cubes. Toss them gently or carefully flip to make sure all pieces are evenly coated. 

STEP SIX: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. 

STEP SEVEN: Arrange the tofu chunks in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Cook them for approximately 10 minutes, carefully flipping pieces with tongs as needed halfway through the cooking time.

Tips for the Best Crispy Air Fried Tofu

• Press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture. I use a tofu press for ease, but I used to wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy pan on top with a few canned foods on the skillet for extra weight.
• I try to cut the tofu into even cubes so all the pieces will cook at the same rate.
• I toss the tofu, marinade, and cornstarch very gently in the bowl. I don’t want to break up the tofu, but I want to make sure each piece is well coated.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. I leave space between each air fryer tofu block so the hot air can properly circulate and air fries everything evenly. I cook in batches if needed.
• I flip the tofu pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure they get perfectly crispy and golden on all sides.

Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Variations and substitutions

• I sometimes use arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch for a grain-free option that still gets me that amazing crispiness on the outside!
• For even more flavor, I’ll add onion powder and black pepper to the marinade.
• Toss red pepper flakes into the seasoning mix for a little heat. I do this when I’m in the mood for a spicy kick!
• Swap ground ginger for smoked paprika to give the crispy tofu a different flavor profile. My husband really likes this version.
• For a sweet and savory combo that’s delightfully sticky, I’ll drizzle the air fried tofu with honey right before serving! I make sure to do this at the last minute so the honey doesn’t take away from the crispiness of the tofu.

What Should I Serve With Crispy Tofu in the Air Fryer?

This air fryer tofu recipe has big Asian-inspired flavors, so I love to pair it with frozen egg rolls in the air fryer, air fryer rice, air fryer bok choy, or air fryer wontons.

For even more flavor, I’ll serve it with sauces like honey garlic sauce or 3 ingredient stir fry sauce to drizzle on top or use as dipping sauce!

Air Fried Tofu FAQs

Why is my tofu not getting crispy?

I use cornstarch in my air fryer tofu to create a crispy coating on the tofu. Without it, the tofu won’t get as crispy as I would like when adding to a stir fry or other dish. If it’s still not getting crispy, increase the temperature on the air fryer about 25 degrees and let it cook a few minutes longer.

How to store leftover air fried tofu

I store my leftover tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, I air fry tofu in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s warmed through and crisp again.

I don’t recommend freezing air fried tofu for longer storage because the thawing process will alter the texture. But I’ve tried freezing uncooked tofu in the past, and it thawed beautifully!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• Air fryer chicken
• Air fryer grilled cheese
• Air fryer cabbage
• Air fryer brownies
• Air fryer vegetables

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