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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    The BEST Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    Apr 9, 2021 · Modified: Aug 18, 2021 by Rachel · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This air fried tofu is extra crispy and tastes like it's been fried but is completely oil free! All you need is 5 simple ingredients and 15 minutes to make perfectly crispy fried tofu every time!

    Crispy cubed tofu on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • What is an air fryer?
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to air fry tofu
    • Expert tips and FAQ's
    • What to serve with air fryer tofu
    • More air fryer recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    A lot of people are on the fence about tofu so I'm here to convert them into tofu lovers with this simple recipe!

    The key to good tofu is both the texture and infusing it with flavor. No one wants mushy, bland tofu!

    In this recipe we marinate the tofu with a simple, versatile sauce that pairs perfectly with so many dishes, then air fry it for a truly crispy texture that even tofu skeptics will love!

    A lot of baked tofu recipes recommend cornstarch to make it crispy which I wholeheartedly agree with, however, I don't find it necessary for air fried tofu. In fact, I don't find oil necessary either. We can achieve a crispy texture without both when air frying!

    What is an air fryer?

    An air fryer is essentially a convection oven for the countertop that cooks things faster in smaller batches and fries/roasts food with hot air. We have this air fryer and I absolutely love it.

    The beauty of an air fryer is that it can crisp things up with low oil, or even no oil at all! And isn't that the whole point of an air fryer—to make something crispy without having to deep fry it?

    If you don't have an air fryer you can absolutely bake tofu in an oven (I share those directions as well) and get a similar effect. But I honestly think an air fryer is worth it.

    We use ours almost daily for things like:

    -frying tofu and tempeh
    -roasting vegetables
    -reheating leftovers

    Ingredient notes

    For today's easy air fryer tofu recipe you only need 5 ingredients! Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements.

    Ingredients measured and labeled on a cutting


    Firm or extra firm tofu—both will work, just make sure it's not silken tofu.

    RELATED: Learn about the different types of tofu and best ways to use them.

    Low-sodium soy sauce—infuses a savory, salty flavor and is the base of the marinade. Tamari or liquid aminos work too if you prefer gluten-free options.

    Maple syrup—adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the soy sauce. Agave syrup also works or you can omit completely for a sugar-free option.

    This tofu marinade is very similar to my stir fry marinade and makes a great base for flavoring tofu. It's also really easy to customize by adding different seasonings, hot sauce, miso paste, bbq sauce, whatever your heart desires!

    This particular flavor profile goes well in most dishes from curries and stir fries, to salads and tacos.

    How to air fry tofu

    This step by step walk-through shows the process of making this crispy air fryer tofu recipe. Exact times and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.

    1. Start by draining the tofu and press out excess water. If you don't have a tofu press you can do this by wrapping the block of tofu in a clean lint-free cloth or paper towels and setting a plate or cutting board on top with weighted objects. Allow the tofu to press for at least 10 minutes, then slice into 1 inch cubes.

    2. Mix together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a shallow dish along with the tofu and allow the tofu to marinate in the sauce for 10-15 minutes.

    Tofu cooking in an air fryer.

    3. Preheat oven or air fryer to 400F degrees. If using an air fryer, evenly spread out the tofu and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

    If using an oven, place tofu on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden, flipping halfway.

    Expert tips and FAQ's

    • When marinating tofu, make sure to use a shallow dish that allows the tofu to be in a single layer so each piece evenly absorbs the sauce. If not all the marinade was absorbed by the tofu you can use the leftovers to flavor rice or add to a stir fry.
    • Make sure to use a firm or extra firm tofu that is not silken, otherwise it will crumble and not hold its shape. Check out this full tofu guide for the different types of tofu and how to use them.
    • Work in batches if your air fryer is smaller and won't allow for the entire batch to be in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You don't want any tofu touching each other so that they cook evenly and allow each edge to become golden and crispy! This is the air fryer we use and love!

    FAQ's

    How long does tofu take to air fry?

    Tofu can be cooked in less than 20 minutes in an air fryer; typically only 10-15 minutes. That's less than half the time it would take in the oven!

    Is it healthy to fry tofu?

    It depends on the mode of frying. If deep frying, using lots of oil and breading, the nutritional value of tofu decreases due to the increase in saturated fat. If frying it in an air fryer, you can use minimal to no oil at all, making it a great healthy choice! Learn more about the nutrition in tofu here.

    Is it necessary to press tofu before frying?

    To achieve best results for crispiness it's recommended to press tofu beforehand to remove excess moisture. This helps the tofu hold its shape better during cooking as well and allows the tofu to better absorb the marinades and sauces that you serve with it.

    What to serve with air fryer tofu

    Add your crispy tofu to nourish bowls, salads, wraps, rice and veggies, tacos and stir fries.

    Crispy cubed tofu stacked on a plate.

    More air fryer recipes

    This carrot bacon recipe is so easy and great for when you want the delicious sweet and smoky-ness of bacon! Just 8 simple ingredients, a peeler, and an oven or air-fryer is all you need. Vegan bacon can be made in many ways but this carrot bacon is one of the simplest and most similar looking to actual bacon. And did I mention delicious? #carrotbacon #veganbacon #plantbased #vegan #veganrecipe #veganbreakfast #plantbasedbreakfast #meatfree #meatlessmeals
    Carrot Bacon
    Fork holding a piece of marinated crispy air fried tempeh.
    Air Fryer Tempeh
    Vegan tofu tacos on a plate with ingredients in small bowls surrounding it
    Crispy Tofu Tacos

    For more plant-based eats check out the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner. It makes plant-based eating effortless with easy recipes and simple customizable meal plans designed for busy people! Try for free!

    📖 Recipe

    Crispy air fried tofu on a plate

    The BEST Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    How to make extra crispy air fryer tofu with 5ingredients and 15 minutes. This easy recipe is also healthy, low calorie, oil free, and perfect for meal prep!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    course: Main Course
    cuisine: Chinese
    servings: 4
    prep time: 20 mins
    cook time: 10 mins
    total time: 30 mins
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, *
    • ½ tablespoon maple syrup, or agave syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 16 oz extra firm tofu, or firm tofu

    Instructions

    • Drain the tofu and press out excess water by wrapping in a clean lint-free cloth or paper towel and setting a plate or cutting board on top with weighted objects. Allow the tofu to press for at least 10 minutes.
      16 oz extra firm tofu
    • Mix together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. When the tofu is ready, cut into cubes and place in a shallow dish. Add the sauce to the dish and allow the tofu to marinate for 10-15 minutes.
      ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ½ tablespoon maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F (205°C). If using an air fryer, evenly spread out the tofu in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. If using an oven, place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden, flipping halfway.

    Notes

    *In order to be gluten-free, use liquid aminos instead.
    Work in batches if your air fryer is smaller and won't allow for the entire batch to be in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You don't want any tofu touching each other so that they cook evenly and allow each edge to become golden and crispy!
    If not all the marinade was absorbed you can use it to flavor rice or add to a stir fry!
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days. To reheat, throw them in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up again.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    Calories: 79kcal Carbohydrates: 6g Protein: 9g Fat: 2g Saturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 603mg Potassium: 213mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 3g Vitamin A: 1IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 41mg Iron: 2mg
    Want to eat healthier but don't know where to start?Get a free customizable meal plan and stop the struggle!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melanie phillips

      December 30, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      Can you marinade it in the morning before work then cook later on. Or does it take on too much flavour or texture

      Reply
      • Rachel

        December 31, 2022 at 12:04 pm

        No, that'd be fine and make it extra flavorful 🙂 You may just need to add a few extra minutes to the cook time.

        Reply
        • Melanie phillips

          January 09, 2023 at 5:57 pm

          Ty for the reply tried the recipe it was delish 😊😊

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