The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Tofu: Ready in Under 15 Minutes
Make perfectly crispy air fryer tofu that is crunchy on the outside and tender inside. This easy, healthy vegan protein recipe is perfect for salads, bowls, or as a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Total Time: 29 min
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block (14 ounces) extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for extra crispness)
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Wrap the block of tofu in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place it on a plate and put something heavy on top, like a cast iron skillet or a few cans. Let it press for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. If you choose to use oil, add it now and toss gently.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the coated tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Air fry for 10 to 14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, until the tofu is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately, or toss with your favorite sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is the most important step for achieving non soggy air fryer tofu.
- For an oil-free version, skip the olive oil, but you may need to cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
- Toss the finished tofu with honey garlic sauce or teriyaki sauce after air frying for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 17
- Cholesterol: 0