Air Fryer Tofu (Crispy, Easy and Versatile!)

This recipe for Air Fryer Tofu is easy to make, requiring just 7 simple ingredients. It’s much healthier than fried tofu, but just as crunchy and golden. It’s also super versatile, and goes well with many flavor combinations, as well as a variety of dips and sauces.

The air fryer- the greatest invention for making your favorite foods faster and easier without oil! What could be better?!

And making tofu in your air fryer is no exception. The air fryer does an amazing job of cooking up this healthy plant-based protein with a perfect texture. It’s also a great option in the middle of summer when you don’t want to turn on your oven.

WHY WE LOVE THIS Crispy Tofu:

• It’s easy! This tofu recipe requires just 7 basic ingredients, most if not all of which you probably already have in your pantry.
• It’s versatile! This simple recipe has no overwhelming flavor profile, which allows you to pair it with any type of dish, from Asian (like this Cauliflower Stir Fry) to classic (w/ this Charred Broccolini with Garlic & Quinoa). Or serve it with a dipping sauce like pesto, a peanut sauce, chimichurri sauce, and much more. There are just so many options for this recipe.
• It’s crispy. You don’t have to give up crispiness by not cooking it in oil.
• It’s healthy (and oil-free)– oil is not needed for this recipe. The only oil used in this recipe is spraying the the crisper plate with nonstick oil (to help from sticking), but it’s not necessary.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

INGREDIENTS NOTES:

• Extra-Firm Tofu– There’s a lot of confusion out there about tofu not being good for you. But tofu is basically condensed soy milk pressed into solid blocks in a process similar to cheesemaking. Contrary to what some believe, tofu is perfectly fine for our health (and high in plant-based protein and amino acids too!), but if you are worried about GMO’s, just choose one that is organic and non-GMO and you’ll be good to go. =)
• Unsalted Vegetable Broth– Different brands may produce thinner/thicker marinades. Just use what you have on hand and it will work fine.
• Garlic Powder– This recipe opts for garlic powder to make it easier. But feel free to use 2-3 minced garlic cloves if you prefer fresh.
• Soy Sauce– If you are gluten-free, use tamari instead. And to save on sodium, be sure to choose low-sodium.
• Cayenne pepper– cayenne doesn’t just add a little spiciness, it also adds an amazing flavor! 1/8 of a teaspoon isn’t much, but if you really can’t handle any spice, feel free to omit or reduce.

STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Press the TOfu.

To begin, press the tofu (remove as much moisture as possible). This will help the tofu absorb the marinade better and cook up crispier.

To do this, first drain the tofu. Then either 1) use a tofu press for at least 30 minutes (or overnight if possible). See the example of a simple tofu press below:

Or if you don’t have one, you can 2) slice the tofu in half lengthwise and then place on a cutting board covered in a few pieces of paper towel.

Then cover the tofu with another few pieces of paper towel and add something heavy on top of it, such as a cast iron skillet. Let sit for about 15 minutes.

There are also other options for pressing tofu you can explore. But our favorite is the above tofu press (cheap and easy!).

2. CUT THE TOFU INTO CUBES.

When the tofu is ready, cut into cubes. To do this, first cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1 inch strips, then small cubes. Tip: see video in recipe at bottom of page to see this step in action.

3. Prepare the Marinade.

Meanwhile, in a shallow baking dish, add the soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.

Then add the tofu cubes to the sauce. Shake around to coat the tofu completely and let sit for about 30 minutes.

4. Remove Tofu and save liquid.

When ready, save and drain the liquid from the tofu (you’ll be using it later to coat the tofu bites, if desired). You can do this by using your hands to remove the tofu or using a colander/strainer. 

5. Air Fry the Tofu.

Next, if desired, spray the air fryer crisper plate with nonstick oil to keep the tofu from sticking (note: depending on the air fryer you use, this step may not be necessary).

Add the tofu cubes to the crisper plate/tray in a single layer (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do 2 batches). Add the basket to the air fryer, set to 10-15 minutes at 390 F and press ‘Start‘.

Press ‘Pause‘ halfway through to shake the pan to toss the tofu around in the basket. Then press ‘Start‘ again to resume. When the time has elapsed, check for doneness.

Note: the time needed to make this tofu will vary by a few minutes, depending on how pressed the tofu is (the longer you press, the shorter the cooking time). If you prefer crispier tofu, you can air fry another 2-3 minutes until desired crispiness.

6. Transfer back to sauce and enjoy!

Remove the tofu from the air fryer basket (by either dumping them out, or using tongs) and if desired, transfer to the bowl of sauce. Stir to coat. There will be quite a bit of sauce so you can discard about half or use to mix in with rice, etc. Serve!

EXPERT TIPS & FAQ’S:

Storage and Reheating Instructions: Store this air fryer tofu in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days. To reheat, you can pop back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 390 F.

Try this tofu With one of The Following recipes:

• Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry
• Charred Broccolini with Garlic & Quinoa
• Simple Kale Quinoa
• Israeli Couscous with Veggies
• Cold Noodle Salad with Miso-Peanut Sauce
• Roasted Corn Israeli Couscous
• Edamame Sesame Quinoa Salad
• Basil Pesto Quinoa
• Spinach and Sweet Pea Coconut Curry

Dipping Sauces:

• Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce
• Miso Peanut Sauce
• Sweet Tahini Sauce
• 5-Minute Lemony Green Pesto Sauce

If you try this Air Fryer Tofu, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your photo with #veggie__chick on Instagram. We love to see our recipes being made in YOUR kitchen!