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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu: Air Fried in 15 Minutes!

    Published: Feb 1, 2022 · Modified: Oct 1, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Air fryer tofu pin image.

    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!

    Air fried tofu on a plate with a dipping sauce.
    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    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!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • What is an air fryer?
    • 🔪 How to make air fryer tofu
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋 More air fryer recipes to try
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ 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

    Ingredients for air fryer tofu.

    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

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi MAX PRO Health Grill, Flat Plate and Air Fryer with 7 customisable cooking functions including grill, flat plate, air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate! It also comes with a digital cooking probe that precisely monitors your food’s temperature as it cooks.

    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.

    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

    Crispy golden air fryer tofu cubes on a plate.

    🔪 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.

    Cutting a tofu block into cubes and adding seasoning - process shots.

    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.

    Tofu cubes in an air fryer basket.

    💭 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 overcrowded.
    • 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.

    Crispy tofu bites on a plate.

    🥡 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

    Does tofu work in the air fryer?

    Yes! Air frying tofu results in crispy on the outside, soft and airy in the middle tofu cubes!

    What temperature should you air fry tofu?

    The best temperature to ensure a crispy outside is 200C (400F).

    Can you freeze air fried tofu?

    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
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
    • Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
    • Air Fryer pasta Chips

    Check out all of my easy air fryer recipes for more inspiration!

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer tofu cubes with a dipping sauce and chopsticks.
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    5 from 5 votes

    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    Flavorful and crispy air fryer tofu made in just 15 minutes!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fried tofu, air fryer tofu
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 2
    Calories 158kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 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

    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 overcrowded.
    • All air fryers are different so I suggest checking your tofu after 10 minutes to see if it is done.
     
    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!
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    158
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    9
    g
    14
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Sodium
     
    589
    mg
    26
    %
    Potassium
     
    62
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    598
    IU
    12
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    194
    mg
    19
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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    • Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caitlin

      February 01, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! It's my favorite way to make tofu!

      Reply
    2. Vanessa

      February 01, 2022 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is so crispy and has become my go-to healthy snack! Thanks so much

      Reply
    3. Tavo

      February 01, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy it was to make my tofu. First time using an air fryer for it and the texture is great!

      Reply
    4. Tara

      February 01, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This tofu looks so good. I love that crispy texture from the air fryer and how easily it all comes together.

      Reply
    5. Gina

      February 01, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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