Crispy air fryer tofu is fast and easy to make and so yummy! This tasty air fryer recipe can create a simple snack complete with homemade dipping sauce, or you can toss it into your favorite stir fry recipe that calls for tofu.
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Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Video
Can I air fry tofu?
Yes! You can easily air fry tofu for a crispy and tasty take on tofu. You can then add the tofu chunks to your favorite stir fries, noodles, salads, or other recipes for some added flavor and texture.
What makes this the best crispy air fryer recipe?
Our easy to follow, fast cooking recipe creates perfectly crispy air fryer tofu. Lightly seasoned in a delectable sauce, you will love the simple glaze that coats the tofu.
We also provide you with instructions on how to make your own dipping sauce. This easy to make recipe makes a great dipping sauce and a great way to smother the tofu and some rice for a tasty rice bowl.
Air Fryer Tofu Ingredients
When you make this recipe, you’ll need:
- Block of tofu - We use about a 16 ounce or 500 gram blocks for this recipe.
- Soy sauce - We prefer soy sauce, but if you have a gluten allergy, you could use Tamari instead.
- Agave - This adds a bit of sweetness, but you could use maple syrup or honey instead.
- Oil - We recommend using a light tasting oil like olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Cornstarch - This helps thicken and create a bit of a glaze on the tofu.
- Crushed black pepper - This is optional but highly recommended.
- Garnish - We use both chopped spring onions and white sesame seeds to garnish the tofu, but you could skip these.
We also make a dipping sauce you can use to dip your air fried tofu into. If you want to make the dipping sauce, you’ll need:
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce - You could use Tamari if you have a gluten allergy.
- Rice vinegar - You could use white vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.
- Garlic minced or grated
- Grated ginger
- Cornstarch - This helps to thicken the sauce some.
- Water
How to make crispy air fryer tofu?
Here’s what you’ll need to do to make crispy air fryer tofu:
- First, press the tofu for 15 minutes to drain as much moisture as you can. You can use a tofu press or wrap it in a kitchen towel and then place a heavy bottom pan with some weight on top of it. The added weight will help squeeze the moisture out.
- Once the tofu has drained, cut the tofu into roughly 1 inch cubes.
- Combine the soy sauce, agave, oil, cornstarch, and crushed pepper in a medium bowl and then mix it well. Next, toss the tofu cubes into the bowl and coat them evenly with the mixture. Allow the tofu to marinate for about 15 minutes to let it soak in some of the flavor.
- Next, preheat the air fryer to 375 F or 190 C. Once it has preheated, spray some oil in the air fryer basket and then place the marinated tofu in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each so they get evenly crispy.
- Place the basket into the air fryer and then cook the tofu for about 10 to 15 minutes, shaking it occasionally for even cooking. How long it needs depends on your air fryer. Start checking for desired crispiness around 10 minutes.
- Work in batches and repeat the process for the remaining cubes of tofu.
- Enjoy it as is or add to your tofu bowl, stir fry, noodles, or any dish that requires tofu.
For the air fryer tofu dipping sauce
You can get the recipe of our dipping sauce or stir fry sauce, here.
You can use the sauce as a dipping sauce with your tofu or throw in the tofu to coat it with the sauce. We like to pair it with jasmine rice and then garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions.
Pro tips and tricks to make crispy air fryer tofu
To make tofu in the air fryer, follow these easy tips and tricks for best results:
- Do not skip pressing the tofu. This releases extra moisture and helps the tofu crisp up in the air fryer.
- For the least moisture, use extra firm tofu. It still needs pressing, but it has the least amount of water to begin with.
- After about 10 minutes, check the tofu and then check regularly to make sure it does not burn.
- Work in batches and spread the tofu chunks out so they get evenly cooked.
Substitutes and Variations
You can make crispy air fryer tofu with different flavor combinations. Try some of the following:
- Use Tamari sauce in place of soy sauce for a gluten free recipe.
- Add additional dried and powdered spices to the marinade for added flavor, such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, or ginger.
- Serve over rice, rice noodles, as part of a bowl, or with your favorite dipping sauce.
What temperature to air fry tofu?
For crispy, air fried tofu, set your air fryer to 375 F or 190 C. You’ll need to cook it for about 10 to 15 minutes depending on your air fryer.
Is Air Fryer Tofu Healthy?
When you air fry tofu or any other foods, you use a very small amount of oil. This reduces how much fat and calories in the recipe.
Tofu is also a great source of protein. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, it can help you get your daily need of protein.
How to use Air Fryer Tofu in recipes
You can eat air fryer tofu in whatever recipes you like or just serve it as is with your favorite dipping sauce or the sauce we use in this recipe.
You can also easily add it to your favorite stir fry, tofu bowls, rice, rice bowls, or salads. In other words, if you have a recipe that calls for tofu, you can easily substitute in air fryer tofu, just skip any part in the recipe about cooking the tofu.
Here are a few of our favorite recipes to pair this air fryer tofu with:
- Stir Fry Sauce
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Crispy Gobi Manchurian
- Vegan Tofu Pad Thai
- Crispy Tofu Buffalo Bites
- Thai Green Curry
- Tom Kha
- Teriyaki noodles
- Hakka noodles
Can I use Air Fryer Tofu in a stir fry
Yes, you can use air fryer tofu in a stir fry. To do this, just skip any part about cooking the tofu or browning it. Also, you should add the tofu at the end, right before dishing out, so that it warms through but does not cook.
Let us know what you think
If you make this delicious air fryer tofu recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!
Best Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
Best Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy air fryer tofu is fast and easy to make and so yummy! This tasty air fryer recipe can create a simple snack complete with homemade dipping sauce, or you can toss it into your favorite stir fry recipe that calls for tofu.
Ingredients
- 1 block of tofu approx. 16.oz or 500 grams
- Soy sauce 3 tbsp
- Agave / maple syrup / honey – 1 tbsp
- Oil 2 tbsp
- Cornstarch 1 tbsp
- Crushed black pepper (optional)
- Chopped Spring onions to garnish
- White sesame seeds to garnish
- Dipping Sauce / Stir Fry Sauce
Instructions
How to make crispy air fryer tofu?
Here’s what you’ll need to do to make crispy air fryer tofu:
- First, press the tofu for 15 minutes to drain as much moisture as you can. You can use a tofu press or wrap it in a kitchen towel and then place a heavy bottom pan with some weight on top of it. The added weight will help squeeze the moisture out.
- Once the tofu has drained, cut the tofu into roughly 1 inch cubes.
- Combine the soy sauce, agave, oil, cornstarch, and crushed pepper in a medium bowl and then mix it well. Next, toss the tofu cubes into the bowl and coat them evenly with the mixture. Allow the tofu to marinate for about 15 minutes to let it soak in some of the flavor.
- Next, preheat the air fryer to 375 F or 190 C. Once it has preheated, spray some oil in the air fryer basket and then place the marinated tofu in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each so they get evenly crispy.
- Place the basket into the air fryer and then cook the tofu for about 10 to 15 minutes, shaking it occasionally for even cooking. How long it needs depends on your air fryer. Start checking for desired crispiness around 10 minutes.
- Work in batches and repeat the process for the remaining cubes of tofu.
- Enjoy it as is or add to your tofu bowl, stir fry, noodles, or any dish that requires tofu.
For the air fryer tofu dipping sauce
To make the dipping sauce for the crispy tofu cooked in the air fryer, get the recipe here.
You can use the sauce as a dipping sauce with your tofu or throw in the tofu to coat it with the sauce. We like to pair it with jasmine rice and then garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions.
Notes
Pro tips and tricks to make crispy air fryer tofu
To make tofu in the air fryer, follow these easy tips and tricks for best results:
- Do not skip pressing the tofu. This releases extra moisture and helps the tofu crisp up in the air fryer.
- For the least moisture, use extra firm tofu. It still needs pressing, but it has the least amount of water to begin with.
- After about 10 minutes, check the tofu and then check regularly to make sure it does not burn.
- Work in batches and spread the tofu chunks out so they get evenly cooked.
Recommended Products
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Debbie says
Are the times and temp the same if using an oven with air fryer option?
Carol says
The recipes sound yummy. Even with printing on both sides, it would take 2 pieces of paper to print out.