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This Air Fryer Tofu recipe comes out super crispy and is seasoned with a savory dry seasoning mix that’s full of flavor. The process is simple, quick, and effective to create an ultra crunchy coating around the tender, well-seasoned tofu!
This 30 minute recipe will be your go to recipe for tofu in the air fryer!
Watch the Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
- Watch the Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Video Below!
- Why This Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Works!
- What Ingredients do I need for Air Fryer Tofu?
- Different Tofu Types
- Air Fryer Tofu: Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Pressing the Tofu
- Expert Tips for Making The BEST Air Fryer Tofu at Home!
- What Should I Serve with Air Fryer Tofu?
- Storage, Reheating, and Make Ahead Tips
- Air Fryer Tofu – EXTRA CRISPY! (Video) Recipe
Why This Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Works!
By now, you know how much I love Air Fryer recipes, like my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Air Fryer Chicken Skewers! I’ve gotten a lot of requests for alternative protein recipes, so I developed this super crispy Air Fryer Tofu recipe for you!
After many iterations and testing different methods, this Air Fryer Tofu recipe came out on top because the batter was shatteringly crispy but the tofu was tender and well seasoned. The secret to achieve this? A mix of cornstarch and baking powder along with the help of a neutral oil spray allows the batter to turn into a wonderful crispy coating in the air fryer. Read below for a breakdown of the ingredients and step by step method!
What Ingredients do I need for Air Fryer Tofu?
- 1 lb firm or extra firm tofu – see note below
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp white pepper – white pepper is one of my favorite spices – it’s woodier and more floral than black pepper, and is a key ingredient in Chinese cooking. I highly recommend having some in your pantry, especially if you love Chinese food.
- 1 cup cornstarch – the cornstarch dredge dries out the tofu, which allows them to get extra crispy when fried! Make sure the tofu pieces are dredged completely, with no bald spots.
- 1 tbsp baking powder – this adds some lift and crunch to the cornstarch when combined with a neutral oil spray
- Neutral oil spray – I prefer avocado oil; My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil. I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!
PRO TIPS
Different Tofu Types
When you go to any Asian grocery, you will notice there are many types of tofus in the refrigerated (and shelf-staple) section. Today, I’m going to quickly review the different types of tofu and when they should be used.
Silken or Soft Tofu
- This type of tofu has the most water content and will be the softest of the varieties you’ll find in your grocery store.
- It’s silky and very pliable due to this high water content, similar to the consistency of a soft cheese.
- I like to use this tofu in my Chinese Silken Tofu.
Regular (Medium) Tofu
- Regular tofu is typically best for soups and stews. It is sometimes labeled as “medium” firmness.
- You want to use this tofu when you want a tofu that is soft enough to soak up sauce or braising liquid, but firm enough to not fall apart.
Firm or Extra Firm Tofu
- Firm or extra firm tofu is the variety with the least amount of water content. The tofu is dense, similar to the consistency of meat, and is my favorite to use in recipes, as it holds up very well.
- This is the tofu I recommend you use for Air Fryer Tofu because I want my tofu to maintain its shape. If you use a softer tofu, it will likely crumble in the dredging process or when fried – I do not recommend it!
- I love braising it in in dishes like Korean Braised Tofu or Mapo Tofu. It’s also great for frying, like in Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu. Salt and Pepper Tofu
Air Fryer Tofu: Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
1. Press Tofu to Remove Excess Water
Take a block of tofu out of the package, drain and pat dry with a paper towel. Take a couple 3 layers of dry paper towel and place the tofu block on them, followed by another 3 layers of paper towel on top and a heavy plate or bowl. Let the tofu press for 15 minutes to remove excess water.
Key Tip
Pressing the Tofu
Moisture is your enemy when creating crispy food in the air fryer. Because tofu comes pre-packaged in water, we want to remove as much of the water from the tofu block as possible so it doesn’t cause the coating to turn out soggy. 15 minutes is all you need to soak up most of the water from the tofu block using paper towels and a heavy dish to weigh it down and press the water out from the tofu.
2. Cut the Tofu into Cubes
While the tofu presses, add the dry seasonings to a small bowl and mix them together.
Remove the tofu from the paper towel, then slice the tofu block into slabs that are 1″ wide. Stack the slabs ontop of each other and slice them down the middle to create long strips. Turn them 90 degrees then slice them into 1” cubes and place in a bowl.
3. Season the Tofu Cubes
Add half of the dry seasoning mix to the tofu along with the soy sauce. This will season the tofu as well as will create enough moisture to allow the dry batter to stick to the tofu. Mix together to combine and let sit while you prepare the dry batter.
4. Dredge the Tofu
In a flat baking tray, mix together the cornstarch and baking powder. Add the seasoned tofu and coat evenly in the dry mixture.
5. Air Fry the Tofu
Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket, then place the tofu in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with tofu cubes with neutral oil spray. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until the batter has set. Give the tofu a shake along with another spray of neutral oil then air fry again at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until crispy.
Top with the remaining dry seasoning mix or toss in your favorite sauce like the sauce from my Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu recipe for a sweet and spicy kick!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for Making The BEST Air Fryer Tofu at Home!
Pressing the tofu is key to removing as much water from the tofu as possible.
Serve with sauce like my honey garlic sauce from Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu or Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, drizzle with my homemade Chinese Chili Oil or Chili Crisp
Use the Right Tofu Type
- Opt for the firm or extra-firm tofu for this dish. Extra-firm tofu has higher protein content and a firmer texture, which makes it ideal for frying and air frying. The firmness helps the tofu hold its shape and prevents it from becoming mushy.
Cornstarch Coating
- When coating the tofu cubes in cornstarch, make sure to thoroughly coat each piece so there are no bald spots – this will make all of your Air Fryer Tofu cubes crispy!
- However, shake off any excess cornstarch – excessive cornstarch will create a thick, pasty coating. More is not better in this case!
What Should I Serve with Air Fryer Tofu?
I love enjoying this crispy Air Fryer Tofu with some low-effort vegetables like my Roasted Brussels Sprouts or my one-pan Honey Roasted Carrots. You could also pair these with my super easy Roasted Cauliflower or Creamy Mashed Potatoes for a delicious dinner!
Storage, Reheating, and Make Ahead Tips
Store any leftover Air Fryer Tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refrigerating will change the crispy texture of the Air Fryer Tofu, but you can pop them back in the airfryer along with a light spray of neutral oil spray to re-crisp them. Reheat the tofu at 375°F for 6-8 minutes in the air fryer until warmed through!
If you tried this Air Fryer Tofu Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Air Fryer Tofu – EXTRA CRISPY! (Video)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb firm tofu, or extra firm tofu; do not use soft tofu
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- Neutral oil spray, I prefer avocado oil
Instructions
- Take a block of tofu out of the package, drain and pat dry with a paper towel. Take a couple 3 layers of dry paper towel and place the tofu block on them, followed by another 3 layers of paper towel on top and a heavy plate or bowl. Place weight on the plate or bowl and let press for 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- While the tofu is pressing, mix together the dry seasonings in a small bowl.
- Slice the tofu into 1” cubes and place in a bowl. Add half of the dry seasonings to the tofu along with the soy sauce. Mix together to combine and let sit while you prepare the dry batter.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cornstarch and baking powder. Add the seasoned tofu and coat evenly in the dry mixture.
- Place the tofu in the air fryer basket and spray with neutral oil spray. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until the batter has set. Give the tofu a shake, spray with another spray of neutral oil, and then air fry again at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until crispy.
- Immediately sprinkle the crispy tofu cubes with the remaining dry seasoning or toss in your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
