Air Fryer Crispy Tofu Recipe
This Air Fryer Crispy Tofu recipe delivers perfectly crunchy tofu cubes with minimal oil and maximum flavor. Pressed tofu is marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, then coated with cornstarch and aromatic seasonings before air frying to golden perfection. A healthy, easy, and delicious plant-based protein option that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside, perfect for salads, bowls, or as a snack.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 pound extra firm tofu
Marinade and Coating
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Press Tofu: Press the tofu for 30 minutes using a tofu press to remove excess moisture. If you don’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu in a clean tea towel, place it on a plate, top with a heavy skillet, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Slice Tofu: After pressing, drain off any excess liquid, pat the tofu dry, and cut into small cubes. Slice the block in half widthwise, then into long strips, and cube each strip.
- Marinate Tofu: Place the tofu cubes in a bowl, drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, and gently stir to coat evenly.
- Coat Tofu: Sprinkle cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder over the tofu cubes. Stir gently to coat all pieces evenly with the seasoning and cornstarch mixture.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Lightly spritz the air fryer basket with oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer with space around each for air circulation. Work in batches if necessary based on your air fryer size.
- Air Fry Tofu: Cook the tofu at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the tofu cubes halfway through cooking to ensure all sides crisp evenly. Check if tofu has reached your preferred level of crispiness; if not, continue air frying, checking every 1-2 minutes to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the tofu from the air fryer once crispy and serve immediately while hot and crunchy.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential to achieve crispiness by removing excess water.
- You can customize the seasoning by adding smoked paprika, chili powder, or nutritional yeast for different flavor profiles.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, baking at 425°F on a wire rack for 25-30 minutes can be an alternative.
- Use oil spray sparingly as the goal is to keep this a healthier crisp.
- Best served fresh for maximum crunch; tofu will soften if stored for too long.
Keywords: Air fryer crispy tofu, vegan tofu recipe, crispy tofu bites, healthy tofu snack, plant-based protein
Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/air-fryer-crispy-tofu-recipe/
