Air Fryer Tofu

Make this prefectly crispy tofu in air fryer using very little oil in less than 30 min. Enjoy it as a snack or add to your salads, curries, noodles, buddha bowl or pasta dished for a punch of protein.

For me air frying is the best way to cook tofu as you get the perfect, takeout style crunchy tofu without worrying about the hassles of deep frying. The air fryer works by circulating hot air inside the basket which ensures the tofu is becoming crispy from all sides simultaneously.

You just need handful of ingredients to prepare this crispy tofu in air fryer at home. It can be enjoyed as it is with some dip or tossed in any sauce of your choice like sweet & sour sauce, manchurian sauce, honey-chilli or sesame-garlic sauce as per your liking.

Ingredients for air fryer tofu:

Tofu: It is considered to be good source of protein especially in vegan or vegetarian diet as a 100 g serving of tofu has roughly 8 gm of protein. Use firm or extra firm tofu for this recipe as it is easier to cut and you get neatly cut cubes each time.

Do not use silken tofu as it is high in moisture and will not crisp up. It is great for blending in creamy dips or pasta sauces like spinach tofu pasta but not for stir-fried dished.

Seasoning: As tofu does not have any flavour of its own, we will use a mix of salt, paprika, black pepper and garlic powder to season the tofu cubes. You can also use red chilli powder or black pepper.

Soy sauce: We will also soy sauce to marinate the tofu cubes as it adds umami flavour and saltiness to the cubes. If you are looking to make gluten free crispy tofu then check out its packaging as sometimes soy sauce contain gluten. Instead of soy sauce you can use coconut aminos.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch, also known as cornflour, is a white coloured gluten free flour derived from the endosperm of corn. It helps in making the tofu crispy by absorbing all its excess moisture.

Cooking Oil: Use any oil of your choice like olive oil, avocado or sesame oil in this tofu recipe. You can even use cooking oil spray.

Optional Ingredients: If you like sweet and sour tofu then add you can also add some honey (or maple syrup) and vinegar with soya sauce in marination step.

How to make crispy tofu in air fryer?

Pressing: Wash the tofu once under running water or soak it in warm water. Then press it between multiple kitchen tissues or towels to get rid of all excess moisture. You can gently press it with your palms or keep some weight over it like a book, plate or pan.

Marinating: We will then cut the tofu into cubes and marinate it with some soy sauce, olive oil followed by sprinkling of seasoning, salt and cornflour. If you have time you can rest the tofu for 20-30 min so that it absorbs all flavours.

Air Frying: While the tofu is marinating, set the air fryer for preheating at 200°C (400°F) for 4-5 min. Once  preheated, spray or brush some oil inside air fryer basket and arrange the tofu cubes in it. Avoid crowding or overlapping for even browning. You can even air fry it in batches if making in bulk.

How long should I air fry tofu?

The air frying time varies slightly depending on the brand and size of the air fryer. Also always remember to preheat the air fryer as it cuts down the cooking time later on. In my air fryer it takes roughly 11 to 13 minutes to get perfectly crispy tofu but sometimes it can take upto 15 minutes so keep an eye on it in last 2-3 minutes.

What do you eat fried tofu with?

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• Tofu (extra firm)- 200 g (7 oz)
• Cooking Oil- 1 tsp
• Soy sauce- 1 tsp
• Cornstarch- 1 tbsp
• Paprika- 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Garlic Powder- 1/4 tsp
• Crushed Black Pepper- 1/4 tsp (to taste)
• Salt- 1/4 tsp (to taste)
• Spring Onion greens- 1 tbsp (for garnishing)

Directions:

Step 1:
Press the tofu between kitchen tissues or towels to absorb eny extra moisture. You can also put weight on it (like a pan or chopping board) or press it with your palms. Leave it like this for 10-15 min.

Step 2:
Cut the tofu block in equal size cubes and if required, dab them with kitchen tissue again to get rid of extra moisture.

Step 3:
Add these cubes to a bowl or box (with lid). Drizzle soy sauce & oil over them and toss lightly. If you are using a box, close the lid and shake gently.

Step 4:
Add salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder & cornstarch to tofu. Toss once again. If required, add 1/2 tbsp cornstarch more.

Step 5:
Set the air fryer for preheating at 200°C (400°F) for 3-4 min. By the time it is preheating, tofu will get time to absorb flavours (If you have more time, you can even rest it for 20-30 min).

Step 6:
Brush oil in air fryer basket and air fry the marinated tofu at 200°C (400°F) for 12-14 min. Shake the basket after half time or flip the pieces. Spray or brush more oil if required.

Air frying times varies as per the size & model of air fryer, so keep an eye after 10 min.

Garnish with chopped spring onion greens or parsley. Enjoy crispy tofu as snack with dip or add to dishes like sweet & sour tofu sauce , thai red curry , veg fried rice etc.

Tips:

1. Don’t miss pressing the tofu between kitchen napkin. It’s a small step but makes a lot of difference.
2. Avoid overlapping the tofu pieces in air fryer basket. Leave some space between them for proper air circulation.
3. Resting the tofu after marination gives it time to absorb flavours.
4. Cut the tofu block in equal sized pieces for similar cooking time. Instead of cutting in cubes, you can even roughly tear it in smaller pieces.

How to store leftover crispy tofu?

Air fried tofu tastes best when it is fresh & hot. However if you have some leftovers, you can store it in a container in fridge for upto 2 days. Make sure the container or box is airtight otherwise the tofu will dry up.

How to reheat leftover tofu?

To reheat, air fry it again for 2 to 3 min. You can microwave it also but to maintain crispy texture air frying is a better option.

If you try this air fried tofu recipe & share pics on social media, then don’t forget to tag on Facebook, Instagram or use #kuchpakrahahai.

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