Air Fryer Tofu - EXTRA CRISPY! (Video)
This Air Fryer Tofu recipe comes out super crispy and is seasoned with a savory dry seasoning mix that's full of flavor. This 30 minute recipe will be your go to recipe for tofu in the air fryer!
Servings: 4
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
- 1 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 garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and white pepper in a small bowl.
- Slice the tofu into 1” cubes and place in a bowl. Add half of the dry seasonings from step 2 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 to taste or toss in your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Video
Notes
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.
Press 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.
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!
Storage - 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!
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 832mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 328mg | Iron: 2mg
