Air-Fried Tofu
Crispy, easy, air fried tofu is a protein-rich, delicious addition to many of your favorite meals. Serve with rice or steamed vegetables.
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If you’ve ever struggled to get tofu that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this air fryer method is your new best friend. With a simple marinade, a light sprinkle of cornstarch, and a quick spin in the air fryer, you’ll get golden, crunchy cubes that are packed with flavor. Perfect for tossing into stir-fries, grain bowls, salads, or simply enjoying straight from the basket, this tofu proves that plant-based cooking can be easy, versatile, and downright delicious.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Make these crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas or these Air Fryer Tortilla Chips — both are great snacks!
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
Aubrey
This turned out perfectly! I was needing a recipe on how to make plain tofu like I would in the oven and this was exactly what I was looking for! Definitely going to be my go-to for air fryer tofu 🙂
I have never been a person who deals well with lots of greasy foods. I enjoy the flavor of eating these foods, but they have never left me feeling great. So I love finding ways to have these dishes without all the grease.
So, that makes my air fryer one of my favorite kitchen power tools! Case in point, I love fried tofu. The perfect remedy? Making air fry tofu!
My first venture with my air fryer was to make air-fried french fries. Of course! What I love about the air fryer is that it makes nicely crispy goodies without all the oil.
Watch How to Make This Tofu
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Extra-firm tofu — I love buying extra-firm tofu, and there are plenty of places to find it, like Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, or even the produce section of many grocery stores. Expect to pay between $1.50 to $3.00 per 15-ounce container of tofu.
- Marinade — We’ll make a marinade from soy sauce (or use tamari for gluten-free), olive oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Cornstarch — For the crunchy vibe we all love, cornstarch is the star ingredient. You can substitue arrowroot powder.
What Makes This Recipe Shine?
- The tofu is pressed first, releasing most of the liquid it’s packed in, making way for crispy, dense, fried tofu.
- Adding a marinade adds so much flavor to every bite!
- Maple Syrup gives the tofu a deeper, golden color thanks to the caramelization effect when it’s heated.
- Heating your air fryer to the right temperature makes sure the tofu is heated through and still has a crust, and that’s what you’re looking for.
There are lots of air fryers on the market, and finding the one that works best for you is essential. We have two air fryers: one that has the traditional basket and one that is part of our countertop oven. We use both regularly.
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Air-Fried Tofu
Ingredients
- 15 oz container extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oi
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep the tofu: Press tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water. Cut into 1-inch cubes or tear the tofu into bite-size pieces (tearing tofu creates extra-crispy edges).
- Season: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir to combine. Add tofu and gently stir to coat. Let this sit for a few minutes or up to overnight for the tofu to soak in the flavors.
- Coat: Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated. This step is key for crispiness.
- Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F/204°C. Allow the air fryer to heat up. Remove the basket and spray with vegetable cooking spray. Arrange tofu in a single layer in your air fryer basket (no overlapping), shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Enjoy right away with dipping sauce, toss into a stir-fry, or top a grain bowl.
- Transfer any unused tofu to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
Recommended Equipment
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Video
Notes
Tips for Extra Crispy Tofu
- Press longer for crispier tofu: Even 30 minutes can make a big difference. If you’re in a hurry, wrap tofu in a clean towel and press gently with your hands for a quick water release.
- Tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces instead of cutting to create extra crispy edges.
- Cornstarch is magic: That light coating gives a crunchy shell. Arrowroot or potato starch also work.
- Don’t crowd the basket: Air needs to circulate. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake or flip: Moving tofu around halfway through helps all sides crisp up.
- Flavor boosters: Serve with or toss in sauce after it’s cooked (like buffalo sauce, teriyaki, or sweet chili).
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
How to Make Tofu in an Air Fryer
Are you ready to become an air fryer draoidh? That’s the Scottish word for magicina and I think it’s a winner!
- Prepare the Tofu — Press the tofu and cut it into 1/2″ cubes. Pat dry with a paper towel and then toss with oil.
- Prepare the Air Fryer — Preheat the air fryer (paid link) to 375°F/190°C and set the timer for 18 minutes. Spray the basket with vegetable cooking spray.
- Marinade the Tofu — Toss the tofu in the marinade. If you have time, let it soak for several minuts up to overnight. Then sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat.
- Cook the Tofu — Add the tofu cubes to the hot air fryer basket. Shake the basket every 5 to 7 minutes to ensure each piece is browned evenly. Cook until the desired crispiness is reached.
If you’re wondering how to cook tofu in an air fryer, I am your wayfinder!
Try something a little different with your air fryer — make Air Fryer Chickpeas for a crispy, healthy snack.
Pressing Tofu
We press tofu to remove the water that it is stored in. Tofu is processed this way to keep the flavor as fresh as possible. However, the tofu tastes better and has a better texture when this liquid is pressed out of it. Here’s how I recommend pressing it:
- Manual Press — If you don’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu block in a kitchen towel or paper towels, and place it on a plate. Add something heavy over the top of the tofu block, like a can of beans or a pan that’s easily balanced.
- Tofu Press — If you have a tofu press (see link in the recipe below), it makes pressing tofu much easier. Add the block to the container and follow the instructions of your particular gadget.
Frequently-Asked Questions
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer is basically a convection oven on steroids. It circulates hot air around the food and ‘fries’ it or makes it crispy.
What does air fryer tofu taste like?
Air fryer tofu has crispy edges and tastes fairly neutral after being cooked. The secret is to dip it or cover it in a tasty sauce. That’s when air fryer tofu tastes amazing!
How to Serve Air-Fried Tofu
Now comes the fun part, eating the air fryer tofu. Here are some recipes where you could use this delicious fried tofu:
That’s it with this recipe for vegan air-fried tofu!
About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
6 Responses to Air-Fried Tofu
Rate / Comment
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This turned out perfectly! I was needing a recipe on how to make plain tofu like I would in the oven and this was exactly what I was looking for! Definitely going to be my go-to for air fryer tofu 🙂
Thanks, Aubrey! I’m so glad you liked this recipe.
Thanks! I was struggling with the best way to prep and air fry tofu. I tried a couple recipes an they work great. Any sauce seems to work and it is fun experimenting. Making bites today with old bay seasoning.
Thanks for the info. I have tried it a couple times and it works great. I am going to make some today in the airfryer with Old bay. Having fun experimenting!
Thanks for sharing this! Looking forward to more air fryer vegan recipes and cannot wait to try 🙂
So glad you like it Bianca! We love the air fryer!