Flavorful and crispy air fryer tofu made in just 15 minutes!
Air frying is the secret to perfectly crisp tofu cubes, and is now one of my favorite ways to cook them!
These little crispy cubes are the perfect texture and great with your favorite dipping sauce, in stir fry, curry, and even served as part of grain bowl with rice!
I use a super firm tofu block so that I don't need to press the tofu first (which makes it even more speedy!), but I also give instructions if you only have extra-firm tofu that you need to press.
👩🍳 Love air fryer cooking? Try my crispy air fryer brussels sprouts too!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
Here's why this is the best air fryer tofu recipe!
- Quick and easy to make - just 15 minutes is all you need!
- Perfect texture with an incredibly crispy crust
- Serve with your favourite sauce for an easy meal - peanut sauce or barbecue sauce are both delicious with this easy tofu recipe
- Good source of protein
- Healthier than deep frying
- It will convert tofu haters (like my husband!)
🛒 Ingredients
To make crispy air fryer tofu you will need;
- Tofu - a super firm tofu block is great because it doesn't need to be pressed first. Extra firm tofu can also be used with a 30 minutes press to get rid of excess moisture before starting the recipe. Soft or silken varieties of tofu are not suitable for air frying due to their high water content.
- Olive Oil - a light olive oil or avocado oil is best, but if you like bold flavours use sesame oil.
- Seasonings - tofu needs robust seasonings and flavorings, so in this recipe I've used a combination of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and garlic powder. Onion powder would also be a tasty addition.
- Cornflour (corn starch) - Helps to draw out excess liquid and gives the tofu a perfectly crisp golden brown coating.
- Sea Salt & Pepper - for seasoning.
🥄 Equipment
You'll need an air fryer for this recipe, and I use the Ninja Foodi Health Grill and Air Fryer* (*affiliate link). It not only air fries food but also grills, bakes, and dehydrates too.
It's a super useful kitchen gadget and one that I definitely wouldn't do without.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.
My air fryer* has a large capacity (5.7 litres) so is relatively large compared to some of the smaller fryers you can buy.
The hot air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat
🔪 How to make air fryer tofu
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: If using super firm tofu, place the tofu block on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into small cubes about 2cm square.
💡 Pro Tip: If you need to press your tofu first (if you are using extra-firm tofu for example), you definitely don't need a proper tofu press to do this! Wrap the tofu block in a clean tea towel, place it on a plate with a heavy frying pan on top, and leave it for 30 minutes to ensure the excess liquid has been drawn out. Pat dry and off you go!
Two: In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric and garlic powder. Place the tofu cubes in a mixing bowl and gently mix in the seasoned oil mixture, making sure every cube is coated.
Three: Sprinkle in the cornflour (corn starch) and mix to coat each cube.
Four: Place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 200C (400F) for 11-15 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip carefully with tongs halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
💭 Top tips
- Make sure the tofu is in a single layer in the air fryer basket, to allow the hot air to circulate around each cube. This is what helps get it lovely and crispy!
- If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in two batches to ensure they are not over crowded.
- All air fryers are different so I suggest checking your tofu after 10 minutes to see if it is done.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Crispy air fried tofu is delicious with different dipping sauces such as peanut and barbecue sauce. Simple soy sauce is also nice.
The cubes are perfect for stirring into stir-fries, curries, salads, and grain bowls. Try adding the crispy tofu to my vegan chickpea and spinach curry!
📖 Variations
Try different seasonings for the tofu - Cajun, Jerk, and Italian seasonings all work well.
If you like your food spicy, add a teaspoon of chili powder!
Garnish with chopped green onions (spring onions) and sesame seeds before serving.
🥡 Storage
- To Store: The air fried tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Place the tofu back in the air fryer for 5 minutes to warm (and crisp) up!
❓ FAQs
Yes! Air frying tofu results in crispy on the outside, soft and airy in the middle tofu cubes!
The best temperature to ensure a crispy outside is 200C (400F).
Freezing air fried tofu will actually help draw additional moisture out of the already fried cubes! Freeze for up to 3 months and defrost fully in the fridge.
😋 More air fryer recipes to try
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Check out all of my easy air fryer recipes for more inspiration!
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Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Ingredients
- 300 g Super Firm Tofu or use extra firm tofu and press it for 30 minutes first
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cornflour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- If using extra firm tofu (instead of super firm tofu) you will need to press the tofu block for 30 minutes prior to air frying. Wrap the tofu block in a clean tea towel, place it on a plate with a heavy frying pan on top, and leave it for 30 minutes to ensure the excess liquid has been drawn out. Pat dry and off you go!
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C (400F)
- Place the tofu block on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into small cubes about 2cm square.300 g Super Firm Tofu
- In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric and garlic powder. Place the tofu cubes in a mixing bowl and gently mix in the seasoned oil mixture, making sure every cube is coated.1 teaspoon Olive Oil, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Turmeric, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Sprinkle in the cornflour (corn starch) and mix to coat each cube.1 teaspoon Cornflour
- Place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 200C (400F) for 11-15 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip with tongs halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper before serving.½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Notes
- Make sure the tofu is in a single layer in the air fryer basket, to allow the hot air to circulate around each cube. This is what helps get it lovely and crispy!
- If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in two batches to ensure they are not overcrowded.
- All air fryers are different so I suggest checking your tofu after 10 minutes to see if it is done.
- To Store: The air fried tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Place the tofu back in the air fryer for 5 minutes to warm (and crisp) up!
Caitlin
Love this recipe! It's my favorite way to make tofu!
Vanessa
This is so crispy and has become my go-to healthy snack! Thanks so much
Tavo
I love how easy it was to make my tofu. First time using an air fryer for it and the texture is great!
Tara
Oh yum! This tofu looks so good. I love that crispy texture from the air fryer and how easily it all comes together.
Gina
I don't think I want tofu any other way! This recipe was great! It cooked up perfectly in the air fryer and was so tasty. I could eat this all day long!