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Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

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  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 14 min
  • Total Time: 1 min
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Easy
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Description

If you’ve ever struggled to get your tofu crispy without frying it in a ton of oil—this one’s for you. This air fryer tofu recipe is one of my favorite protein-packed, budget-friendly meals. It’s quick, hands-off, and turns out golden and crispy every single time.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block extra-firm tofu – Pressed for at least 15–30 minutes
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons - olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Or onion powder if you prefer
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch – This is the secret to that golden crispy texture
  • Optional: chili flakes, smoked paprika, hoisin, or maple syrup – Flavor it your way!


Instructions

Press the tofu. Wrap tofu in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place something heavy on top (like a skillet or book). Let it press for 20–30 minutes to remove excess moisture.

Cut into cubes: Once pressed, cut tofu into bite-sized pieces (around 3/4-inch cubes work best).

Season it: In a bowl, toss the tofu cubes with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and any other seasonings you like. Then sprinkle in the cornstarch and toss until evenly coated. This step is optional you can just toss the tofu with some olive oil. 

Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Place tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.



Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1