This straightforward crispy air fryer tofu takes simply quarter-hour! It makes golden brown, seasoned cubes with tender facilities: the right protein adder for bowls, salads, stir fries, and extra.
Right here’s one among my favourite weeknight hero recipes: crispy air fryer tofu! It’s humorous to say this, as a result of I really was a skeptic of each the air fryer and tofu. However after growing dozens of tofu recipes, I’ve grown to like this wholesome plant-based protein.
Now that I’ve an air fryer, I understand how clutch it’s for weeknight proteins! This air fryer tofu is so quick and straightforward: you don’t even must press it! Simply slice into cubes, add a couple of seasonings, then air fry for 10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Tofu
I’m not exaggerating once I say this air fryer tofu is a weeknight hero in my home! It has saved the day so many occasions once we’re undecided what to make (that and my air fryer rooster). Right here’s why I like it:
- It’s extremely quick. Many tofu recipes name for urgent the tofu for half-hour. There’s no urgent wanted right here, and no pre-heating an oven! It’s simply quarter-hour, begin to end.
- It’s crispy and scrumptious. The flavour is seasoned good and it’s bought a calmly crispy exterior.
- You possibly can serve it in so some ways. That is the right plant-based protein so as to add to bowl meals, salads, soups, and extra. (I like it with rice and steamed broccoli for a brilliant straightforward meal).
Key Components
Right here’s what you’ll want for this primary recipe:
Additional-firm tofu: That is the one kind that works for crispy air fryer tofu. The firmer texture and decrease water content material means higher browning. Keep away from every other kind!
Cornstarch: Cornstarch kinds a light-weight shell that stays crispy even after the tofu cools down. (Arrowroot powder can work as an alternative).
Olive oil: Only one tablespoon helps the seasonings stick and helps with browning. You possibly can substitute with avocado oil when you desire.
Soy sauce: Provides a savory depth. I exploit common soy sauce, however tamari works properly for gluten-free.
Garlic and onion powder: These spices construct a savory basis with out including moisture.
Professional Suggestions for the Finest Air Fryer Tofu
After testing this recipe many occasions (with my husband Alex), right here’s the best way I prefer to make air fryer tofu:
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. These 5 minutes of preheating really do make a distinction. The tofu hits the warmth instantly, which jumpstarts the crisping course of.
Step 2: Lower uniform cubes and pat dry. I slice my tofu block in half lengthwise first, then lower every half into 3/4-inch cubes. Attempt to make constant sizes so every thing cooks on the identical charge. Place the cubes on a clear dish towel, then gently pat them with a second towel to take away extra moisture.
Step 3: Combine the tofu and seasonings, then cornstarch. Gently toss so the tofu doesn’t break. Stir the seasonings first, then the cornstarch (in order that it will get absolutely coated).
Step 4: Pour into the basket, ensuring to not overcrowd: Unfold the tofu in a single layer with a little bit respiratory room between items. Crowded tofu steams as a substitute of crisps. If that you must make a double batch, prepare dinner it in two rounds.
Step 5: Shake midway by. At 6 minutes, I give the basket a great shake to rotate all of the items. This makes certain all sides get evenly cooked.
Methods To Serve It
This crispy tofu is so versatile. My youngsters completely like it, and I take pleasure in that it’s a plant-based protein that’s hearty and satisfying (typically an enormous pile of beans simply doesn’t do it for me!).
Storage and Reheating
Retailer leftover air fryer tofu within the fridge for 3 to five days. It turns into much less crispy within the fridge.
For the most effective outcomes, reheat the tofu within the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes: that is the simplest method to get it crispy once more!
Dietary Notes
This air fryer tofu recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Incessantly Requested Questions
No! That’s among the finest elements about this recipe. The fast pat-dry with dish towels removes sufficient floor moisture for the air fryer to work its magic. I’ve examined this extensively, and urgent doesn’t make a noticeable distinction for this explicit methodology.
Follow extra-firm tofu for this recipe. Agency tofu accommodates an excessive amount of moisture and received’t get as crispy. Silken tofu will disintegrate within the air fryer.
The commonest culprits are overcrowding the basket or skipping the cornstarch. Be sure you’re spreading the tofu in a single layer with house between items, and don’t skip the cornstarch: it’s what creates the crispy exterior.
Sure, however the outcomes received’t be fairly as crispy. Go to my Baked Tofu recipe.
Air Fryer Tofu (Straightforward & Crispy!)
Grasp crispy air fryer tofu in simply quarter-hour with my straightforward recipe! These golden brown, seasoned cubes with tender facilities make the right protein adder for bowls, salads, stir fries, and extra.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 10 minutes
- Complete Time: quarter-hour
- Yield: 3 to 4 1x
- Class: Important Dish
- Methodology: Air Fryer
- Delicacies: Vegan
- Weight-reduction plan: Vegan
- 1 15-ounce block extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for five minutes.
- Lower the tofu into 3/4-inch cubes (slice the tofu in half lengthwise into two giant rectangles first, then into cubes). Place the cubes on a clear dish towel, then gently pat them with a second towel to take away extra moisture.
- In medium bowl, stir collectively the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Add the tofu to the bowl and gently stir till coated. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and stir till simply coated. Dump the tofu into the air fryer basket and unfold into single layer. Cook dinner for 10 to 12 minutes till browned and crispy, shaking after 6 minutes.
- Retailer in an hermetic container in fridge for 3 to five days. (To reheat: Use the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, or use an oven at 400°F for 5-7 minutes to revive crispiness.)
Extra Tofu Recipes to Strive
In case you love this air fryer tofu, take a look at these different tofu recipes:
