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Air Fryer Tofu is the best! It’s crispy with very little oil, and so easy to make, with no messy clean up. If you’ve ever struggled with soggy tofu, this method guarantees perfect results every time.
I make this crispy air fryer tofu recipe at least twice a week! It’s the perfect high-protein addition to vegan Thai curry, garlic noodles, tofu stir-fry, and even tofu tacos.
Most importantly, prep is so easy I can handle it on even the busiest weeknights. Once the cubes are in the air fryer, my hands are free to prep the rest of dinner (and—let’s be honest, enjoy an agave margarita or apple mocktail), making weeknight meals both easy and nutritious.
Table of Contents
- Why This Air Fryer Tofu Gets So Crispy Everytime
- Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How To Season Air Fryer Tofu
- How to Cook Tofu in the Air Fryer
- How to Make Extra Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- How to Use Air Fryer Tofu
- Crispy Oven Baked Tofu
- Storage Directions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Tofu Recipes
- Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
Why This Air Fryer Tofu Gets So Crispy Everytime
- Circulation: Air fryers are high powered convection ovens that circulate heat around the food, allowing it to cook quickly, and crisp evenly with very little oil.
- Cornstarch coating: A little bit of cornstarch makes a perfect crispy coating.
- Spacing: Tofu is spaced evenly in the air fryer basket to allow heat circulation, and prevent sogginess.
- Flip timing: Air fry for 15 minutes then flip and cook 5 minutes longer.
- The perfect temperature: Air fry tofu at 350°F for crispy edges and a meaty interior.
For more easy vegan air fryer recipes try my Crispy Roasted Chickpeas, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Plantains, and Air Fryer Zucchini.
Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer Tofu Recipe
- Easy and Quick: It’s made with pantry staples in a handful of steps, so easy you could almost do them with your eyes closed. And, if you’re wondering how to air fry tofu, I’ve got you covered with my fully illustrated instructions below.
- Versatile: Add these crispy cubes to everything from stir-fry and sweet potato noodles to Buddha bowls and lentil salads. The options are endless!
- Wholesome and Nutritious: Tofu is naturally high in plant-based complete protein and abundant in many essential micronutrients (source), avocado oil adds healthy fats, and soy sauce and garlic powder add flavor while keeping the dish light.
Key Ingredients
Extra Firm Tofu: This variety is lower in moisture, which helps it crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Use one 15-oz block, cut into cubes. Pressing isn’t required, though I recommend it for crispier tofu if you have the time.
Soy Sauce: Adds a light, savory saltiness. I use tamari, which is a naturally gluten-free Japanese soy sauce. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if preferred or to reduce overall sodium.
Avocado Oil: Just 2 teaspoons coat the cubes, helping them crisp evenly and preventing sticking.
Garlic Powder: A pantry staple that adds mild, nutty, and aromatic notes—enough to keep the tofu flavorful yet versatile.
Cornstarch: Optional but highly recommended. A tablespoon of cornstarch (or all-purpose flour) absorbs excess moisture and gives the tofu an extra-crispy finish.
How To Season Air Fryer Tofu
For additional layers of flavor, use a tofu marinade or add any of the following seasonings:
Southern: Add 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning for a spicy kick.
Savory: Add ½ teaspoon onion powder and 1–2 teaspoons nutritional yeast for a deeper savory, cheesy flavor.
Aromatic: For a zesty twist, sprinkle in a little ginger powder. Smoked paprika adds a smoky, lightly spicy note, while cumin or turmeric bring earthy depth. Ground red pepper turns up the heat, and ground white or black pepper lend a subtle spice.
Italian: Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning or basil for Mediterranean vibes—perfect for tossing into pasta dishes.
Herbal: Crushed dried rosemary, thyme, or Herbes de Provence add lightly floral, herbaceous notes.
How to Cook Tofu in the Air Fryer
Still wondering how I can make the same air fry tofu recipe every week? Once you see how simple the prep is—and taste the delicious results—you’ll be hooked, too!
- Preheat the Air Fryer & Season Tofu. Add the tofu cubes, soy sauce, and oil, to a mixing bowl and gently stir.
- Add Starch.Then sprinkle on the garlic powder and cornstarch and gently stir again to coat the tofu cubes.
- Prepare to Air Fry. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, then add and evenly spread out the tofu.
- Air Fry for 15 minutes at 350°F, stir and cook 5 minutes more, or until golden and crispy on the outside.
How to Make Extra Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- Preheat the air fryer: If your machine doesn’t automatically preheat the machine, do so for at least 5 minutes before adding the tofu. Do not preheat with parchment paper inside of the machine. It will catch on fire 🔥
- Season Evenly: For consistent flavor, gently toss the tofu with the oil and soy sauce first before adding the starch and garlic powder.
- Adding Cornstarch: One tablespoon of cornstarch (or flour) helps absorb excess moisture and makes the tofu extra crispy. If you don’t have cornstarch, all-purpose flour works too, or you can skip it and cook a little longer.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket. Prevent sticking by lining the basket with parchment paper or brushing it lightly with avocado oil.
- Turn Halfway. Gently stir or turn the tofu 15 minutes into the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Checking the Tofu for Doneness. You will know it’s ready when it’s golden and crispy on the outside.
- Using Different Tofu Varieties: Don’t have extra-firm tofu? Firm tofu works too—just press it between a few sheets of paper towels with a heavy skillet on top for 20–30 minutes before cubing.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Adapt the air fried tofu recipe to your tastes by experimenting with different marinades or seasoning add-ins (listed next!).
How to Use Air Fryer Tofu
Serve crispy air fryer tofu with the following Asian-inspired recipes:
- Soba Salad
- Thai Pumpkin Curry
- Green Thai Curry
- Gochujang Buttered Noodles
- Sweet Potato Noodles
- Vegan Japchae
- Sesame Tofu Salad
Sauces to pair with it
Hungry for more tofu? Check out my other delicious and easy tofu recipes!
Crispy Oven Baked Tofu
Don’t have an air fryer? You can still make deliciously crispy tofu in the oven. Press the tofu for at least 20 minutes, then season as directed by the recipe. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Transfer the seasoned tofu to a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes, flipping 20 minutes in.
Storage Directions
This air fryer tofu is great for meal prep. I like to reheat in the air fryer to get it crispy again before serving 🙂
- Refrigerating: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Let the air fried tofu cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. The texture may soften slightly after thawing, but the flavor will still be delicious.
- Reheating: For the crispiest results, reheat tofu in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. Alternatively, warm gently in the microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pressing can help make the tofu even crispier, but it isn’t necessary. Extra-firm tofu is naturally low in moisture and crisps up well without pressing. For an even firmer texture, use super firm tofu (which does not need to be pressed).
The most common reasons are using the wrong tofu variety, skipping the oil or cornstarch/flour, or not turning the tofu during cooking. Since air fryers vary in strength, you may also need to add 2–4 extra minutes of cook time.
Yes, you can skip the oil if you prefer. You may need to add a couple more minutes of cooktime.
More Easy Tofu Recipes
Main Dishes
Hearty Tofu Chili
Main Dishes
2-Ingredient BBQ Tofu
Snacks & Dips
Vegan Buffalo Wings
Main Dishes
The Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets
⭐ Tried this crispy air fryer tofu? Please leave a rating below and let me know how it turned out—I read every comment!
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Air Fryer Tofu
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 15-oz block extra firm tofu, drained, pressed*, and cubed
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or all-purpose flour, optional for extra crispy tofu
- 2 tsp avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Add the tofu cubes, soy sauce, cornstarch or flour (if using), oil, and garlic powder to a mixing bowl. Gently toss well to coat.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, then add and evenly spread out the tofu.
- Air fry for 15 minutes at 350°F, stir and cook 5 minutes more, or until golden and crispy on the outside.
Notes
- Refrigerating: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Let the air fried tofu cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. The texture may soften slightly after thawing, but the flavor will still be delicious.
- Reheating: For the crispiest results, reheat tofu in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. Alternatively, warm gently in the microwave until heated through.
- Preheat the air fryer. And do not add parchment paper to the machine while it is preheating. It will catch on fire 🔥 Line the basket with parchment only when you are adding the tofu.
- Season Evenly: For consistent flavor, gently toss the tofu with the oil, soy sauce, flour, and seasonings until evenly coated.
- Adding Cornstarch: One tablespoon of cornstarch (or flour) helps absorb excess moisture and makes the tofu extra crispy. If you don’t have cornstarch, all-purpose flour works too.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket. Prevent sticking by lining the basket with parchment paper or brushing it lightly with avocado oil.
- Turn Halfway. Gently stir or turn the tofu midway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Checking the Tofu for Doneness. You will know it’s ready when it’s golden and crispy on the outside.
- Using Different Tofu Varieties: Don’t have extra firm tofu? Firm tofu works too—just press it between a few sheets of paper towels with a heavy skillet on top for 20–30 minutes before cubing.
- Adjust the Seasoning: You can adapt the air-fried tofu recipe to your tastes by experimenting with different marinades or seasoning add-ins (ideas in the blog post above!).
Delicious and so easy! I love that it was crispy on the outside without having a breading, and the inside was still perfectly tender. The best part, it’s picky five year old approved 🙂
Glad you and your little one enjoyed!
So good! I’ve made it with cornstarch a few times but this time I subbed nutritional yeast for cornstarch and I think I’ll make it this way from now on!
I love it! Nutritional yeast adds great flavor. Thanks for rating!
Easy to prepare and very versatile. Great to have in a wrap, to top buffalo mac & cheese or a salad, or have as a quick snack!
This is the best crispy tofu I have ever tried! It’s easy to prepare, with ingredients I always have on hand. It will definitely become a staple!
Fantastic! I am so happy you enjoy it! Thanks Nicole 🙂
Perfect! Only took 10 min in my air fryer.
Awesome! So quick and easy 🙂
Perfectly crispy tofu every time! I make this recipe multiple times a week. I love pairing it with stir-fries, bowls, and Trader Joe’s dumplings (a fave for my daughter). Honestly, we add it to everything!