Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1- 454 g (1 lb) package extra firm tofu or firm tofu, pressed; 3 tablespoons tamari (see notes*); 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; Cooking oil spray; Salt and pepper; 1/4 cup green onions, sliced on diagonal (optional for serving); 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional for serving)

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Add some crunchy flavor bombs to your meals with this air fryer tofu recipe! So easy to make in less than 30 minutes, it’s the best way to take your meals from good to great.

air fried tofu on a plate beside an air fryer

Crunchy bites of Crispy Air Fryer Tofu is the best way to take an ordinary salad, rice bowl, or veggie wrap and turn it into something great! Extra firm tofu cubes are marinated in a simple tamari and nutritional yeast marinade, then quickly cooked in the air fryer. It’s all said and done in less than 30 minutes!

This incredibly flavorful air fryer tofu recipe is the best because it’s:

A practically oil free recipe
Made with just 4 ingredients
Naturally gluten free
No messy dredging required!
The fried tofu is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside

If you’re craving more tasty tofu recipes, be sure to give my Tofu Bacon and Tofu Chicken Nuggets a try!

Jump to:

Air fried tofu ingredients
How to make crispy air fryer tofu
Tips for success
Ways to use air fryer tofu
Frequently asked questions
Looking for more flavorful recipes?
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Air fried tofu ingredients

Tofu - It has to be extra firm! Soft or medium tofu contains way too much water and won’t become firm or crispy.

Tamari - Or soy sauce if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten free. For less sodium, use light tamari, reduced soy sauce, or liquid aminos.

Nutritional yeast - For a rich and savory flavor.

Cornstarch - If you want the tofu to be its crispiest, you have to toss it in cornstarch first! The cornstarch will stick to the outside and become bubbly and crisp in the heat.

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cubed tofu and marinade ingredients marinating in a ziplock bag

How to make crispy air fryer tofu

Marinating the tofu before cooking it in the air fryer will ensure each piece is extra flavorful as well as crispy. After 4 simple steps, you can use your crispy air fryer tofu in anything you want! Here’s how it’s done:

Marinate the tofu cubes: Stir the tamari and nutritional yeast together in a small bowl and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add the tofu to a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade inside. Let it marinate for 15 minutes or up to 48 hours.

Coat in cornstarch: Pour the cornstarch in the bag with the marinade. Shake until the tofu is evenly coated.

Air fry the tofu: Place the marinated and coated tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Spray the tops of the tofu with cooking spray for an extra crisp, then cook until the cubes are golden brown and crispy.

Season and serve: Season the air fried tofu with salt and pepper and serve with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy! For full ingredients an instructions see printable recipe card below

step by step photos how to make air fryer tofu

overhead view of crispy cooked tofu cubes in air fryer basket

Tips for success

Press the tofu before you get started to remove as much moisture as possible. To press the tofu, either use a tofu press or wrap the block in a clean kitchen towel and place it on a plate. Put a heavy pot or cast iron skillet on top and let all of the liquid seep out for about 30 minutes.

Don’t press the tofu for more than 30 minutes. We want the tofu to be a little juicy and tender on the inside, and removing all of the water will prevent this

.Feel free to add more spices to cornstarch coating or marinade, like garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, dried herbs, or Cajun seasoning.

To reheat the leftovers, place the tofu in a frying pan over medium heat or in the air fryer and cook until warmed through and crispy again.

Ways to use air fryer tofu

Crispy tofu in the air fryer is delicious on its own, but if you want to step it up a notch, toss it in some sauce! Place the fried tofu in a bowl and drizzle peanut sauce, orange sauce, sesame soy ginger sauce, or barbecue sauce on top and toss to combine.

Use these ideas as inspiration when serving the air fryer tofu:

Eat it on its own with savory tahini sauce, spicy mayo, or ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
Use it as a topping on buddha bowls.
Wrap the cubes in a vegan gyro or breakfast burrito.
Serve it as an appetizer at the party.
Toss the cubes in barbecue sauce and layer them on a pizza.
It adds a delightful crunch and protein to salads.
It’s the perfect addition to stir fries.

Frequently asked questions

How long can you marinate tofu in the fridge?

Firm tofu can be marinated for up to 48 hours. Just keep the sealed bag with the tofu and marinade in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

What temperature do you air fry tofu?

Air fry the tofu between 375F° - 380°F to get a crispy outside and tender, juicy inside.

How long should I leave tofu in the air fryer?

The tofu only needs to air fry for about 15 minutes. Make sure to shake the air fryer basket once or twice so all sides cook evenly.

Can you air fry tofu without oil?

Yes! The air fryer is a magic tool that allows us to fry food without needing oil. I do recommend spraying the inside of the air fryer basket and the tops of the coated tofu cubes with cooking spray before cooking, but you can always skip this if you’d rather keep the recipe oil free.

Why is my fried tofu soggy?

This can happen if your tofu has too much moisture inside or you were air frying at too low of a temperature.

Can you bake the tofu instead?

If you don’t have an air fryer, place the marinated tofu on a parchment lined baking sheet sprayed with oil, spray tofu with oil and bake in a 400ºF oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Looking for more flavorful recipes?

Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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