How to make crispy air fryer tofu that’s chewy and soft on the inside..
This air fryer tofu can be eaten plain or added to salads, stews…
…curries, wraps, and other dishes.
From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 15 minutes…
There is no better way to make tofu crispy and delicious than to air fry it…
Keep reading if you agree!
Tofu can be crispy on the outside while remaining soft…
…and chewy on the inside by air-frying it for only 12 minutes.
This not only creates a delicious texture contrast when eating the tofu…
…but it also helps the air fryer tofu absorb flavor…
…from other ingredients when added to curries, stews, and other dishes.
Here is Maris’ story…
My mom always made a crispy tofu for me when I was little…
But she is not here anymore, I rarely eat crispy tofu again…
These days I really missed her and I want to eat it…
But I don’t use regular oil so my tofu can not be as crispy as my mom’s…
Today my husband surprised me with an air fryer..
…and the first thing I do is air fryer tofu.
It is surprisingly so crispy and the taste stay the same...
Most tofu brands use calcium sulfate to combine the protein and oil in the soymilk. This gives you an extra calcium boost beyond tofu’s natural calcium content.
Tofu Health Benefit by Webmd
Let’s get it started….
What is Tofu
Tofu is a soy product and is very popular in many countries…
In China, tofu is used as a main ingredient in many dishes…
It is very low in calories and fat. It is lower in cholesterol…
…and saturated fats than other similar products. T
ofu is rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin A…
The key to a good tofu is to find a great tofu cookbook…
…and learn about the nutritional value of each individual ingredient.
A typical tofu dish is usually found outside in the kitchen with an open fire…
The food is usually cut into small bite size pieces and then quickly…
…fried in a light golden brown color. The taste is salty, with a chewiness to it…
Generally, Americans like their tofu served on a thin plate of rice…
…and this is called ‘banh pho’ in Vietnamese.
In addition, many restaurants serve a bowl of soup as a meal…
…with the tofu and a mixed bowl of pho ingredients.
The staple fish sauce is called ‘nam pla’ and can be found…
…in every home in Vietnam. It is believed that the dish originated in China…
…but was a little too spicy for its popularity in Vietnam, and so…
…it was changed to a more mild clam flavor.
When the dish first arrived in the United States…
…it was listed as a typical Vietnamese dish, and quickly…
…became a popular dish in Vietnam as well.
Choose The Right Tofu To Make Air Fryer Tofu
Tofu is a great plant-based protein option because…
…it contains all the essential amino acids.
Tofu is made from compressed soybean curds…
…and is available in many different varieties, including silken…
…regular, smoked, and extra firm (among others).
This recipe calls for extra firm tofu..
…since we want it to hold its shape while cooking.
How To Press Tofu Fast
In the event that you do not have a tofu press…
…you can always use an egg press, which requires under 15 minutes to press.
If you don’t have a press, this is the next fastest method…
Remove the tofu from the water pack and cut into cubes to press it very quickly…
Put the cubed tofu on a cutting board lined with paper towels…
Cover with more paper towels, a baking sheet, and then a heavy object on top…
…like a cast iron skillet. In this way, you only need to let it press..
…for about 15 minutes while you make the marinade.
Do you want to avoid pressing tofu altogether?
You don’t need to press the super-firm tofu if you buy it in a vacuum pack…
Here we go!
Air Fryer Tofu Full Recipe
Making air fryer tofu couldn’t be easier, and it’s something that anyone can do…
All you have to do is lightly season the tofu with a few ingredients…
…you probably already have on hand. Place it in an air fryer basket…
…in a single layer and cook for about 12 minutes.
Open it up, and there you have it!
You’ll never look at tofu the same way again…
Ingredients of Air Fryer Tofu
16 oz super firm tofu (or extra firm tofu. Squeeze out the water from the extra firm tofu)
- Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher Parve, No Preservatives, Silken Texture
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½ tsp turmeric
- ORGANIC TURMERIC POWDER (CURCUMA LONGA) - 16oz/453g Resealable Bag (1 Pound)
- IMPORTED FROM INDIA - This bag contains certified organic, turmeric powder harvested from turmeric plants in India.
- HEALTHY & DELICIOUS - Add some spice to your day with our organic turmeric root powder. This easily recognizable, vibrant yellow-orange powder has long been a staple in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Commonly used for curries, the root vegetable is also great in soups and stews, or sprinkled over some scrambled eggs.
- CERTIFIED USDA ORGANIC & NON-GMO - All our products are certified USDA Organic and certified Non-GMO. Look for the USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project seals on our products!
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1 tsp paprika (or cayenne, which will add more heat than paprika)
- Made from smoking and drying sweet peppers
- McCormick Smoked Paprika blends full flavor and rich color with a hint of smoke
- Non GMO
- Adds delicious depth to Spanish dishes
- Include in seasoning rubs for roasted, grilled or smoked me
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1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 tsp grated garlic)
- 24-ounces of Happy Belly Granulated Garlic
- Granulated garlic has a coarser texture and robust flavor than garlic powder, which is finely ground
- 1/4 tsp of granulated garlic contains 1 clove of fresh garlic
- Can be used in stews, roasts, gravies, soups and sauces, pizza and pasta etc.
- Kosher certified
- Satisfaction Guarantee: Were proud of our products. If you arent satisfied, well refund you for any reason within a year of purchase. 1-877-485-0385
- An Amazon br
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½ tsp vegetable best oil
- Farmer-Crafted
- Robust flavor
- Imported, first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Perfect for pasta, marinades and salad dressings. Can also be used for dipping
- Packaging May V
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1 tbsp lemon juice
- 100% LEMON JUICE: Iberia 100% lemon juice makes it easy to add delicious lemon flavor to dipping sauces, marinades, or even sodas or juice without slicing and squeezing fresh lemons.
- NO SLICING AND SQUEEZING: No need to slice or squeeze whole lemons any more, just add a splash of Iberia lemon juice to your drinks and dishes.
- SMOOTH TANGY TASTE: Iberia lemon juice has a sour and fluid consistency with a tangy flavor that blends well into a variety of dishes and drinks.
- VERSATILE: Stir Iberia lemon juice to create delicious and fresh tasting salad dressings or use it to make a classic lemon meringue pie. Add a splash of Iberia 100% lemon juice to lemon drop martini, lemonade or iced tea and avoid all the mess-work.
- A PANTRY STAPLE: Bulk supply of 3 x 32 oz bottles to keep your kitchen in good supply all the ti
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Salt to taste
- No Additives & Less Sodium: The only pure kosher salt with 53% less sodium by volume compared to regular table salt. Perfect for everyday use.
- Maximum Flavor: Acclaimed by professional chefs, foodies and home cooks for bringing out uncompromised flavor in your dishes.
- Light Texture: Renowned for its distinctly coarse yet fragile texture, our hollow kosher salt flakes can be crumbled between fingertips for unparalleled seasoning control.
- Naturally Crafted: Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is distinct from other kosher salts because its light salt flakes are formed naturally, not through granulated salt compaction.
- Trusted Quality Since 1886: Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt was developed over 130 years ago using a gentle evaporation process and its even Endorsed by the American Culinary Federati
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Instructions of Air Fryer Tofu
- Cut the tofu lengthwise into four slabs, then cut each slab into 12 cubes.
- Place the tofu and all marinade ingredients in a bowl, toss to mix. You can air-fry the tofu rightaway or, if you have the time, let it stand for 30 minutes.
- Place the tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a bit of space between each cube, and insert it in the air fryer. You might need to do this in two batches.
- Air-fry the tofu for 12 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through air frying remove the basket and toss the tofu cubes around. This is not absolutely necessary but it helps ensure the tofu cooks evenly.
- Serve the air fryer tofu as a snack with a creamy mayo or other dipping sauce, or toss it into stews, curries, wraps, salads and more.
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- Large Capacity: The air fryers spacious 5.8-quart square baskets can fit a whole 5-pound chicken. Additionally, the corner spaces provide more cooking footprint and flexibility than round designs. Cook the perfect amount of food for 3–5 people in one go
- 13 Cooking Functions: 11 presets, Preheat, and Keep Warm help you cook meat, veggies, desserts, and more to perfection. Just choose your preset with 1 easy tap and youre ready to cook. You can also set temperature and cook time for personal recipes
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- Convenient Design: The air fryer produces crispy results in less time than a conventional oven and includes a shake reminder function. Preheat the air fryer before adding your ingredients for improved texture
- Fully Certified: The air fryer is ETL Listed and has a power rating of 120V/1700W and a temperature range of 170°–400°F. Please note that this voltage only applies to the US and Canada
- California Roots: Based in California, Cosori is proud to call the Golden State our h
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Other Seasoning Ideas For Air Fryer Tofu
- Ground black pepper, tamari or soy sauce and apple cider vinegar.
- Salt, ground black pepper, ginger powder, garlic powder and liquid aminos.
- For an Indian-style marinade, add ginger powder and replace the paprika with cayenne in the recipe below.
- You can add a teaspoon of cornstarch to the tofu marinade for crispier tofu, but I don’t really care much for the flavor and the tofu has a better texture without it, especially if you use it in other recipes.
You might also need these!
- One 18-ounce bottle of Happy Belly Coarse Black Pepper
- Kosher certified
- Sharp pungent aroma and taste, woody, piney with a hot biting flavor
- One of the worlds most popular spices
- Satisfaction Guarantee: We’re proud of our products. If you aren’t satisfied, we’ll refund you for any reason within a year of purchase. 1-877-485-0385
- An Amazon Br
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- Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China.
- It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardomon and galangal.
- The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice. It is often called ginger root, or simply ginger.
- The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.
- Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice, and is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very common ingredient in recip
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- 24-ounces of Happy Belly Granulated Garlic
- Granulated garlic has a coarser texture and robust flavor than garlic powder, which is finely ground
- 1/4 tsp of granulated garlic contains 1 clove of fresh garlic
- Can be used in stews, roasts, gravies, soups and sauces, pizza and pasta etc.
- Kosher certified
- Satisfaction Guarantee: Were proud of our products. If you arent satisfied, well refund you for any reason within a year of purchase. 1-877-485-0385
- An Amazon br
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Do you need more reason?
Why Should You Air fryer Tofu?
An air fryer is basically a gadget that simulates frying…
…with oil without using much oil. If you aren’t familiar with it…
…this is a contraption. So it is a healthier way to get foods that taste…
….almost as if they were fried in lots of oil, but aren’t.
Things to Notes When Making Air Fryer Tofu
- Do you have a gluten-free diet? As an alternative to soy sauce, use tamari.
- Though I may substitute olive oil for sesame oil, I love the flavor sesame oil adds. Oil-free can be omitted, but it may not be as crispy.
- You may add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the marinade if you want it to be a little crispier.
- It only takes 5 minutes to re-crisp leftover tofu in the air fryer!
- Peanut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, and vegetable oil are other oils with high smoke points that may also be suitable for air fryer tofu.
- Crispy tofu does not keep well and should be served fresh and pressed three to four days before cooking.
Sum Up
It is possible to make crispy tofu without a cauldron of bubbling oil…
As it turns out, an air fryer is an excellent way to cook marinated…
…cubes of tofu into perfectly browned and crispy snacks.
Serve them as a protein-packed snack with a simple dipping sauce…
…such as this one, or stir them into stir fries, noodle dishes, or salads.
Conclusion
Have you ever tried making Air Fryer Tofu ?
Share with us your experience making Air Fryer Tofu!
Or, if you have more questions about Air Fryer Tofu…
…feel free to leave a comment!
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
