Crispy Tofu Air Fryer – Elafgan

by sandhyajihomesinc · 25 June 2023

by she on 25. June 2023 | Leave a comment. This post may contain affiliate links*. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.

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    <input class="jpibfi" type="hidden"/><em>The air fryer tofu is super crispy on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, seasoned to perfection and can be cooked in just 11 minutes!  A delicious, meat-free meal prep protein for salads, wraps, pasta, and more!</em>

Air fried tofu on a white plate with creamy dip and lemon wedges

Quick and easy tofu air fryer

Getting crispy tofu without a pile of oil has always been a chore until air fryers came along! In the same way that it provides nearly fried results for French fries, cauliflower wings;And Potato ChipsAir-fried tofu is incredibly crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy middle. All with less than a tablespoon of oil!

Learning how to air-fry tofu is the quickest and simplest way to make this lean protein that’s also crispy with meat. With just a few pantry ingredients and 11 minutes of cooking time, this tofu recipe produces consistently delicious tofu every time.

Plus, with the sorting method, you can easily switch out the seasoning/marination of the tofu to your liking. Never have to worry about soggy, soggy, or lackluster tofu again!

Horizontal air fryer tofu on white plate with creamy dip and lemon wedges

the components

Tofu: Use extra firm tofu or protein-rich tofu (which is firmer and firmer) for best results. Firm tofu may also work, but don’t use softer varieties (or silken tofu).
Corn Starch: Or arrowroot/potato starch coats tofu with a crunchy outer shell.
I willow: This provides salinity with a boost of umami. Use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce. Coconut/tamari aminos work if you are gluten-free.
Sesame oil: A small amount of toasted sesame oil adds a savory, nutty, and delicious taste. Other oils work too (such as olive oil/avocado oil).
spices: All you need are just a few essential nutrients.
- Onion powder
- garlic powder
- ground ginger (if you’re not a fan of ginger)
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt (adjust the amount to taste)
Cooking oil: To spray the air fryer basket. Avoid cooking sprays like PAM, which may damage the nonstick coating.

Optionally, you can garnish the crispy tofu with light toasting Sesame seeds/peanuts And green onion.

Please read the recipe card below to find out Full ingredient listAnd Measurements, method, full recipe and nutritional information.

Air fried tofu ingredients

How to cook tofu in an air fryer

First, press the tofu for 15 to 30 minutes either with a tofu press or by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and then placing something heavy on top of it (such as a heavy frying pan and/or several books).

How to press tofu

Then cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer them to a medium bowl.
Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and all the spices, and stir carefully to coat the cubes well. Then sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir again.

How to cut and season tofu

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil and spread the seasoned tofu cubes across the basket, making sure that they are in a single layer and with space between each piece for airflow.
Air fry the tofu at 400°F/200°C for about 11 minutes, shaking the basket after 5-6 minutes.

Air fryers can vary quite a bit, though I recommend checking it out in 10 minutes. It may take about 10-13 minutes in total to get the level of crispness you desire.

Tofu in the air fryer basket before and after cooking

What do you serve with crispy tofu?

With its simple ingredient list and method, this air-fried tofu makes a delicious “all-purpose” protein main to add to dozens of meals. Here’s a little inspiration for the service:

dipping sauceEnjoy stir-fried tofu with your favorite dipping sauce as a snack. any, Delicious sauceketchup, Vegan mayonnaisesweet chili, garlic sauce, vegan ranch dressing, etc.
fried: both of them Vegetable stir-fry And pasta, like vegan lo mein or Spicy sriracha noodles.
carbohydrates: like a side of the pastaquinoa, riceOr low-carb cauliflower rice.
vegetables: like broccoli, cauliflowergreen beans, socceretc.
authority: Side by side or as a crunchy salad topper for a light yet hearty meal.
macaroni: Crispy tofu makes the perfect meal simple pasta dishes Likes Mushroom and leek pastaAnd Easy lemon pastaAnd Gnocchi is gluten free. It also works with cold dishes, eg Pasta salad or Barley salad.
Bowl meals: like a salad bowl, Cereal bowlor Buddha bowl.
In the covers: like Tacosburritos, fajitalettuce wraps, and more.

Air fried tofu on a white plate with creamy dip and lemon wedges

Storage instructions

moving forward: Once pressed, you can leave the marinated tofu up to a day in advance in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Shop: The texture of air-fryer tofu is directly crispier than air-fryer. However, leftovers will be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

freeze: Freeze chunks of tofu spread across a griddle, then store in a Ziplock for up to 3 months. Just note that when thawing, the texture of the tofu changes, becoming “meatier”/chewier.

ReheatMy favorite way to reheat cubed tofu is to put the air fryer at 375°F/190°C for several minutes, as it will help bring back some of the crispness. A frying pan with a little oil will also work.

A piece of air-fried tofu is dipped in a creamy sauce

Recipe notes

Press tofu: This is important to rid it of excess liquid, so it can absorb the soy sauce/marinade and become extra crunchy
Cut the tofu into even slices. This will ensure that it cooks evenly as well.
For more flavour: Allow the tofu to soak in the soy sauce for 15-20 minutes before cooking (up to a day in advance).
Do not overcrowd the basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the foods being cooked. If you don’t leave room, the tofu won’t cook evenly, with some parts still mushy/moist.
Cooking time may vary: This is because air fryer models may vary. As a general guide, achieve within 10 to 13 minutes of your preferred result.
Try the seasoning: That is, add chili/chili peppers for heat, nutritional yeast for a nutty flavor, cheese, dried herbs (like Italian seasoning), or even seasoning mixes like taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, curry powder, etc. First, then a dusting of cornstarch).

Close up of air fried tofu

questions and answers

Do I need to press the tofu before air frying

It’s technically possible to air-fry tofu without pressing it first, but it won’t get crispy. Also, unpressed tofu will not absorb the marinade as easily.

Do I need to freeze tofu before using it?

Freezing and then thawing tofu releases mounds of moisture and creates a “meatier” texture that absorbs flavors better and becomes crispier. However, it is not necessary for this air-fried tofu recipe unless you prefer to do so.

Do I need to use oil for tofu air fryer?

Technically not, but a little sesame oil will go a long way in creating crispy tofu with added depth of flavor.

More tofu recipes

Also, be sure to check out 41 best vegan air fryer recipes.

If you try this crispy tofu recipe, I’d love A.J comment f ★★★★★ Recipe rating less. Also, please don’t forget Tag me in reposts on Instagram or Facebook with @employee #ilavigan– I like seeing them.

Tofu air fryer

The air fryer tofu is super crispy on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, seasoned to perfection and can be cooked in just 11 minutes! A delicious, meat-free meal prep protein for salads, wraps, pasta, and more!

preparation time 15

Cooking time 11 minutes

total time 26 minutes

turn Side dish, snack

kitchen American

servings 4

Calories 113 Calories

directions

You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.First, press the tofu for 15 to 30 minutes either with a tofu press or by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and then placing something heavy on top of it (such as a heavy frying pan and/or several books).
Then cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer them to a medium bowl.
Add the dates, sesame oil and all the spices and stir carefully to coat the cubes well. Then sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir again.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil and spread the seasoned tofu cubes across the basket, making sure that they are in a single layer and with space between each piece for airflow.
Air fry the tofu at 400°F/200°C for about 11 minutes, shaking the basket after 5-6 minutes.Air fryers can vary quite a bit, so I recommend checking them out in 10 minutes. It may take about 10-13 minutes in total to get the level of crispness you desire.
Serve with Delicious sauce or any sauce of your choice. Enjoy!

notes

Nutrition facts

Tofu air fryer

amount for each service

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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