If you haven’t made air fryer tofu yet, you’re in for a treat! This crispy air fryer tofu recipe is a game-changer. It’s easy, simple, and only requires three ingredients.
The air fryer is the best tool for making crispy tofu. (In fact, I didn’t like tofu until I tried it in the air fryer.) This tofu comes out with a perfectly crispy texture and is packed with flavor.
Don’t miss the four essentials for achieving perfectly crispy air fryer tofu. It’s simple, easy, and it works every time.
“Made this tonight. It was perfect! Thanks for a simple and delicious recipe.”
Why You’ll Love Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- Super easy and no-fuss! Three ingredients. Four simple steps. This recipe couldn’t get any easier.
- Unbeatable crispiness! The air fryer is the best way to cook tofu. This tofu is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
- Add your favorite seasonings! Think of this crispy air fryer tofu recipe as the base for your next culinary creation. Add whatever flavors and spices you love most (I love adding onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder).
If you like this crispy air fryer tofu recipe, be sure to check out our full collection of Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes. The Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower and Air Fryer Zucchini Boats are a few of our favorites.
How to Make Tofu Crispy in the Air Fryer
These are the four essential steps to getting perfectly crispy air fryer tofu, every single time:
- Use a tofu press. The first key to achieving ultra-crispy tofu is to press out the moisture before marinating and cooking. Try this Tofu Press by Tofuture, it’s affordable and super easy to use. I recommend pressing your tofu for around 12 minutes.
- Break the tofu instead of cutting it. Breaking your tofu into pieces gives you rugged edges and more texture for extra crispiness. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this swap is a game-changer.
- Add a tablespoon of cornstarch. This simple ingredient makes all the difference! Cornstarch absorbs moisture and guarantees that crispy texture.
- Spray with oil at the 6-minute mark. A light coating of oil halfway through cooking will help crisp these air-fried tofu bites right up.
How to Store Air Fryer Tofu
I love the crispy, fresh-out-of-the-air-fryer texture, so I don’t recommend making this recipe ahead of time. However, if you do have leftovers, just refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to three days.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Tofu
This crispy air fryer tofu goes great on top of salads, with rice and vegetables, or even by itself as a snack!
I love dipping crispy tofu in Japanese steakhouse sauce and eating it with some Fried Rice and Edamame—that’s a power combo right there.
More Delicious Tofu Recipes
- Air Fryer Smoky Tofu: This tofu recipe has a unique combination of seasonings and a delicious hint of cinnamon.
- Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Tofu: This dish is packed with garlic and ginger flavor. Paired with steamed or stir-fried veggies, it’s a great dinner or meal-prep option.
- Air Fryer Tofu Poke Bowls: With 23 grams of protein, this plant-based meal is nutritious and ultra-flavorful. The ginger, soy sauce, and garlic-flavored tofu pieces combine magically with the vegetable toppings.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from fellow home chefs and air fryer fans. Comment below, follow Air Fryer Eats on Instagram, pin this recipe to Pinterest, and join our Air Fryer Recipes Facebook group too.
Air Fryer Tofu
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Tofu press
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- 4 tbsp coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare your tofu by pressing it for 10-12 minutes, turning the knobs tighter every 3-4 minutes.
- Remove tofu from the press and cut or tear into cubes. In a shallow serving platter combine the tofu cubes and the coconut aminos. Marinate for 10 minutes.
- Add the marinated tofu cubes and cornstarch to a gallon-sized zip lock baggie. Seal the baggie and gently toss to combine until the tofu cubes are coated well.
- Place the tofu cubes into your air fryer basket. Cook at 370°F (185°C) for 12 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket halfway through (and give the tofu cubes an extra spray of oil for extra crispiness).
Notes
- This recipe can be made in an air fryer unit with a basket or an air fryer oven. If you are using an air fryer oven, use the middle rack and choose the “Air Fry” function.
- Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Make sure to check your food as it’s cooking to learn your air fryer better and avoid over- or undercooking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
The key to making crispy air fryer tofu is first, using a firm or extra-firm tofu block. Then, make sure you use a tofu press to eliminate the excess moisture. And, whatever seasonings you decide to add, make sure to add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture to really get that perfect crisp.
Air fry your tofu for 12 minutes at 370°F (185°C). Make sure to shake your air fryer basket halfway through for maximum crispiness.
We’ve updated this recipe!
We want our recipes to be as easy to follow as possible. That’s why we periodically update our recipes to share new tips and tricks, valuable information, and new photos. But don’t worry, it’s still the same great crispy air fryer tofu recipe you know and love.
Looks super good! Can’t wait to try it.
THanks Katie!
I have had never had fried tofu before! Looks delicious. 🙂
I hope you enjoy this air fryer tofu, Carrie!
This looks soooo yum and probably goes great with a stir fry!!
Thank you!
What a great tip about pressing the moisture out of the tofu. I enjoyed the crispy texture.
Yes, pressing the tofu is key!
That doesn’t look air-fried..wow..Love it
Thanks for the compliment on our air fryer tofu!
This. looks so good, got to try!!!
Thanx!
Thanks Jenny!
This looks great! I love tofu and have tried it in many ways. I don’t have an air fryer yet but when I get one I think this will be the first thing I would make in it. I have made something similar in the oven and it was fantastic.
oh, we LOVE our air fryer! I hope you get one, they can do so many things!
Really good content!! Setup guide and recipe. I really enjoy this article.
Thank you Trotter 🙂
Made this tonight. It was perfect! Thanks for a simple and delicious recipe.
Hi Sammy, that is great, glad you loved it!
This was truly delicious even my kids loved it!
Thanks Tamara! So glad you loved it!
Crispy tofu is the best I added Panko bread crumbs to this like you said in the Facebook group. My family loved it.
Thanks Jennifer! So glad your family loved it!
This has become a staple for my family! We love to eat it with bbq sauce!
Hi Kristy, so glad it has become a staple for you!
Could I make this with Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs as well?
Yes you could! I do that often. Usually when I do that, I press the tofu, dice it, place into a gallon zip lock baggie, add 1-2T of oil, some smoked paprika, garlic powder and 3/4 cup of bread crumbs. Then shake to coat and dump into air fryer 🙂
I have a tofu press and agree with you about squeezing out the fluid if you want the outside of the tofu crisp.
I marinated in teriyaki because that is all I had and it was so good.
Another time I just sprayed oil on the squeezed tofu and after browning it in the air fryer, we dipped it in marinara sauce. So tasty.
Thanks for your recipe.
Hi Lisa – Your welcome and thanks for the tips!