This crispy air fryer tofu recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients and is so flavorful! Great for adding protein, and texture to main dishes or for snacking. Naturally vegan and gluten-free too!

If you’ve been eyeing crispy tofu recipes but are hesitant to drag out your air fryer, I can say with confidence, this recipe is worth it. Truth be told, my air fryer needed a good dusting off before I started working on this recipe. My thinking was “Isn’t the oven easier?” I found the hardest part about using an air fryer, really, is clearing space on the counter and plugging it in. And nothing beats the low-oil, crispy perfection that comes from hot air swirling around in the basket.

Crispy air fryer tofu is one of those back pocket recipes you’ll find yourself reaching for when you’re craving protein and texture without exerting a lot of effort. I recently mixed a batch into Easy Vegan Mac n Cheese for dinner and chuckled to find that every piece of tofu had been mined out and eaten first! It’s also super yummy tossed into stir fries or mixed with roasted vegetables like my Sweet Potato and Broccoli Tray Bake. You never know, once you try this recipe, your air fryer might find a permanent home on your countertop!

So, let’s start with the basics. First, you will need an air fryer. Any model is fine. The one I use has a full-sized basket that holds exactly one block of tofu. But the more counter-friendly compact sizes will work great too. You may just have to work in batches. Click here to see a similar model to mine.

For the ultimate beginner’s guide on how to use an air fryer, here’s a YouTube video.

Next, you need a 14 oz. (396g) block of extra-firm tofu. For the crispiest texture, press your tofu for 10 minutes before cutting it up into cubes.

Do I really need to press my tofu?

Yup! Tofu is like a sponge and holds a ton of water. Since moisture is the enemy of crispness, pressing out any excess water is super important. There are 2 ways to press tofu.

Wrap the block of tofu in a kitchen towel (like a flour sack towel) and put a heavy item on it. A cast iron skillet or a stack of cookbooks works like a charm. I’ve even used a pumpkin!
Use a tofu press. This is a kitchen gadget where you place the block of tofu between two plates and tighten a screw on each end which applies pressure. Moisture seeps from the tofu and drains into a tray beneath. Click here to see the tofu press I use.

Now that our tofu is pressed, we need to cut it up into cubes. I find that ¾” cubes are the perfect size for achieving maximum crispness in the least amount of time. Slice the block in half horizontally. Then slice it vertically in ¾” rows. Rotate the block one turn and repeat this step to make cubes. Tumble the cubes into a medium-sized mixing bowl. (see pictures below)

Make it flavorful-

Seasoning the tofu is so simple that I think some type of magic must be involved! Sprinkle on the wet ingredients, stir gently to coat, and then sprinkle on the dry ingredients, stirring again. Let it rest in the marinade for 10 minutes to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Directions for cooking the tofu are below and on the recipe card. But here’s a quick glance at tips and tricks.

Tips and tricks for the best air fryer tofu

Press your tofu for 10 minutes before slicing it up. This squeezes out excess moisture, which means crispier tofu!
Cut the tofu into small cubes. Small cubes, around ¾”, are the perfect size for crisping quickly.
Let the cubes rest in the marinade for 10 minutes to soak up all the flavorful sauce.
Don’t crowd the basket – this allows for hot air to circulate around each cube for maximum crispness. If you have a compact basket, cook in batches.
Shake the basket a few times during cooking to make sure the tofu gets crispy on all sides.

Here’s everything you need to make crispy tofu in the air fryer

Ingredients / Makes 2 servings

14 oz. (396g) block of extra firm tofu, pressed and cut into ¾” cubes
2 tablespoons of tamari
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
Kosher salt for sprinkling (optional)

How to make crispy tofu in the air fryer

Step 1

Step 2

1. Press your tofu- This step is really important for making crispy tofu. Use a tofu press or wrap the block of tofu in a dry kitchen towel and place a heavy item (like a stack of cookbooks or a cast iron skillet) on top. Let the excess liquid drain for 10 minutes.

2. Cube the tofu- cut the block into ¾” cubes. These are the perfect size for crisping. Do this by slicing the block through the middle horizontally, and then in vertical rows.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

3. Season the tofu- Tumble the cubes into a medium-sized bowl and pour the tamari, olive oil, and vinegar on top. Gently stir to coat. Once each cube is well coated, sprinkle on the cornstarch and garlic powder. Stir again. Let it rest for 10 minutes to soak up the sauce, stirring now and then. This is a good time to pre-heat your air fryer to 400° F / 204° C.

4. Scoop the tofu into the air fryer basket. Use a fork to scootch the pieces around so they’re not crowded. The cubes from one 14 oz (396g) block will fit into a full-sized basket perfectly.

5. Air fry at 400° F / 204° C for 15 minutes- Shake the basket after 5 and 10 minutes so the tofu gets crispy on all sides. You’re looking for a deeply golden (but not burnt) outside. Keep in mind they continue to crisp up as they cool down. Sprinkle with salt and serve!

Leave a Comment & Rating

If you like this recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and/or a comment below. This helps others discover my website and I always love hearing about your creations! And be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest. Thank you for your support!

<

Yield: 2 Servings

Author: Carol Clayton