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If tofu has ever felt like more effort than it’s worth, this air fryer version fixes that. It gets perfectly crispy without pressing, uses basic pantry ingredients, and cooks in about 15 minutes. It’s an easy, high-protein option that works for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and everything in between.
Want more DELICIOUS tofu recipes? Try my Chili Crunch Tofu Bowls, this Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce, and my Tofu Mac & Cheese!
Why air-frying tofu is my favorite way to cook it!
My much anticipated Air Fryer Tofu Recipe is finally here! I’ve been promising this one for a LONG time, I know. I posted a video of how I make it on my Instagram last week and got SO MANY requests for the full recipe. SO here it is.
I’ve posted many, many tofu recipes over the years and after posting my 6 Different Tofu Marinades roundup I started making how-to guides showing you all the different ways you can cook tofu from baking tofu, sautéing tofu, and now one of my favorite ways: how to air fry tofu!
Here’s why I love it:
- It gets SO CRISPY – I’ve made tofu every single way you can imagine and this is hands down the best way to get it super crispy!
- It’s lighter than frying – while frying tofu in oil does get it pretty crispy, all of the excess oil is annoying + a hassle to deal with.
- It takes 15 minutes – I loe being able to pop this in the air fryer and let it cook while I prep the other parts of my meal.
In this post…
Ingredients needed
The ingredients for this crispy tofu are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!
- Tofu – Super-firm tofu works best here and does not require pressing. Extra-firm tofu will also work, but you’ll want to press it first to remove excess moisture.
- Toasted sesame oil – Adds great flavor, but any neutral oil works if that’s what you have.
- Soy sauce – Adds salt and umami. Coconut aminos or tamari are great substitutes.
- Fine sea salt & black pepper – Simple seasoning that lets the tofu shine.
- Cornstarch – Key for crispiness. Arrowroot powder works well as a substitute.
- Optional spices – Garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, nutritional yeast, or everything bagel seasoning all work beautifully here. Or toss the tofu with your favorite sauce after cooking.
How to Make Tofu in the Air Fryer
Just a reminder that you can find the FULL crispy air fryer tofu recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how to make them with visuals for you :)
- Prep the block of tofu. If you’re not using super-firm tofu, be sure to press it. Super firm tofu does not need to be prepped. I like to tear mine into chunks instead of cutting it into tofu cubes to create lots of crispy edges.
- Place the tofu chunks in a large bowl and toss the tofu with the oil, salt, pepper, and soy sauce.
- Sprinkle the tofu pieces with corn starch and toss again so that it’s fully covered. You can add even more cornstarch as desired to get it super crispy!
- Place the tofu in your air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd it. Air fry for 10 minutes, toss and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Tips for the crispiest tofu
- Tear the tofu instead of cutting it for more jagged edges and better crunch
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – cook in batches if needed
- Shake or toss halfway through cooking for even browning
- If your air fryer maxes out at 390°F, that’s totally fine – just add a minute or two
- Avoid sticking by spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add chili powder or cayenne
- Savory: Toss with garlic powder and onion powder
- Asian-inspired: Finish with hoisin or teriyaki sauce
- Everything Bagel: Toss with everything bagel seasoning after air frying
Frequently Asked Questions
Not if you’re using super-firm tofu. Firm and extra firm tofu should be pressed first to release excess water! This can be done with or without a tofu press.
You can reduce the oil, but a small amount helps the tofu crisp and brown properly.
Stored in an airtight container, it will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. I like to air fry it again for a few minutes to get it crispy again.
The Best Air Fryer Tofu
Video
Ingredients
- 15-16 oz tofu , super firm ideally*
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, or other oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce, (or amino acids)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, (arrowroot powder also works well)
- OPTIONAL: other spices as desired*
Instructions
- Pre-heat the air-fryer to 400 degrees F (some air fryers go to 390 and that’s ok too).
- Into a large bowl, tear the block of tofu into medium chunks. I aim for chunks about the size of a quarter. You can also cut the tofu into cubes, but I preferring to tear it because it provides lots of jagged edges that get deliciously crispy in the air fryer!
- Toss the tofu with the oil, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss again so that it's fully covered. Place the tofu in your air fryer, being careful not to overcrowd it. You want at least a tiny bit of space in between each piece. Work in batches as needed.
- Air fry the tofu for 10 minutes. Toss and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it. I usually do about 15 minutes total.
- Serve with you favorite sauce (or on it’s own!) and ENJOY!
Notes
- Tofu– I prefer SUPER firm tofu (sometimes called high-protein tofu) in this recipe. I’ve tested it with all different kinds and this is my favorite. It also requires NO pressing which I love it for.
Firm or extra firm tofu will also work well, just be sure to press the excess moisture out first. - Other spices – I left this rather plain (but the recipe is still absolutely delicious as written) so that it can be used in a plethora of different ways or with different sauces. BUT, if you’re wanting to enjoy it without a sauce, you can toss on any spices you’d like such as garlic powder, paprika, cumin, etc. Some kind of a spice blend would also be delicious.
- Marinating– I have a whole blog post about marinating tofu including SIX different marinade flavors. IF YOU MARINATE IT, I suggest skipping the soy sauce and oil in this recipe as it should be flavorful enough.
- Optional addition– I’ve made this recipe before several times by adding in 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. I love the extra flavor it adds but it’s totally optional!
- Storage & Reheating – Store leftover tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
1
Easy peasy and really tasty. The broken pieces definitely make for more yummy crunch. This will be my go to recipe for tofu in the airfryer.
I’ve tried tofu in the air fryer before and it did come out very crispy but it also was fairly chewy. I assumed I overcooked it. Any tips to avoid chewiness? Thanks!
Do you have any suggestions for substitutes for soy sauce? I just cannot tolerate the msg though I love the taste of soy sauce.
you could try out tamari or coconut aminos for a similar taste!