This recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is healthy, tasty, and so easy to make. Get the deep fried flavor without all of the fat. This recipe is made gluten-free and vegan.

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crispy tofu with broccoli

Spices, cornstarch, and an air fryer are all you need for crispy tofu! When you air fry tofu, it is anything but bland or mushy.

Not only is it crispy but without all the oil or mess from a deep fryer. Cornstarch is the key to a really crispy exterior while the spices give it flavor.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Air Fried Tofu is healthier than pan-frying or deep-frying tofu. You only need a small amount of oil to get that crispy crust.
  • You can serve it with anything! Top zucchini noodles, rice, roasted vegetables, or quinoa for an easy dinner or make this for a high protein snack.
  • It’s gluten-free and vegan and full of plant-based protein.
ingredients for crispy tofu

Key Ingredients

Extra-firm tofu holds its shape when sliced and has less water content than silken or soft tofu. It has the best texture for crispy air-fried tofu plus it’s an excellent source of protein.

Cooking oil will help the spices and cornstarch stick to the cubes of tofu.

Sesame oil has a very distinct sweet and nutty flavor that’s rather strong. A little goes a long way with sesame oil.

Spices including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt add lots of flavor to the tofu.

Cornstarch is essential to a crispy crust. Since cornstarch has a higher starch content than flour it crisps up even better when fried.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel or paper towels then press on it to remove the excess water. This will allow the tofu to get crispy and not soggy.

Step Two

Cut the block of tofu into 1 inch cubes on a cutting board and place them in a large mixing bowl.

As always, please do see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

how to make tofu in the air fryer

Step Three

Add both oils and toss to combine then add the spices and corn starch. Toss again until coated well.

Step Four

Transfer the tofu cubes to the basket of your air fryer. Put them in a single layer to help promote even cooking.

Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 16-20 minutes. Toss them at least once during cooking so they all crisp up nicely.

crispy tofu in air fryer basket

Step Five

The tofu will be golden brown when it’s finished. Serve warm with veggies, rice, or noodles.

piece of tofu served with chopsticks

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • Be sure to purchase extra-firm tofu for the best results (this recipe won’t work with silken tofu or soft tofu).
  • Feel free to get creative with the seasonings. If you really like the flavor of garlic or onion, you can increase the amount of garlic powder and/or onion powder to 1 teaspoon each.
  • Air fried tofu can be served with a dipping sauce like tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) or coconut aminos.
close up of air fryer tofu

FAQs

How long is crispy tofu good for?

Air-fried tofu will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat simply pop them back into the air fryer until hot and crispy.

Can I use silken or soft tofu for this recipe?

Nope you need firm or extra-firm tofu. Be sure to remove as much of the water from the tofu as you can before you air fry it.

Can I use a tofu press to remove the moisture?

Yes, you can use a tofu press before frying to get the water out. But, if you use extra firm tofu, you probably won’t need a press.

two plates of tofu served with broccoli

Other Healthy Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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crispy tofu with broccoli

Air Fryer Crispy Tofu (Gluten-Free)

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5 from 2 reviews
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Description

This recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is healthy, tasty, and so easy to make. Get the deep fried flavor without all of the fat. This recipe is made gluten-free and vegan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 16–ounce block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch (use 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch for grain sensitivities)

Instructions

  1. Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel and gently press it to remove the excess water. Alternatively, wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel and place a heavy object on top to press it for about 15 minutes.
  2. Then, transfer the tofu to a cutting board and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Next, place the cubed tofu in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the cooking oil and sesame oil and toss to combine.
  5. Then, add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and corn starch, and toss to combine.
  6. Transfer your tofu cubes to the basket of your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F for 16-20 minutes, tossing at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
  7. The tofu will turn a golden brown when it’s done. Serve warm, with your choice of cooked rice, veggies, noodles.

Notes

  1. Be sure to purchase extra-firm tofu for the best results (this recipe won’t work with silken tofu or soft tofu).
  2. Feel free to get creative with the seasonings. If you really like the flavor of garlic or onion, you can increase the amount of garlic powder and/or onion powder to 1 teaspoon each.
  3. Air fried tofu can be served with a dipping sauce like tamari or coconut aminos.

Keywords: crispy tofu, vegan, gluten-free, air fryer tofu

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