Enjoy this delicious plant-based protein over rice, noodles, salads, or in your favorite curry If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful plant-based protein to add to your meal, this crispy tofu in the air fryer is an absolute winner!
In just a little over 30 minutes, the tofu pieces end up perfectly crispy on the outside with a chewy center. And just like with most air fryer recipes, it’s much healthier than deep-frying it.
I add this crispy tofu to Asian dishes like Panang curry or Red Curry Soup, and Pad Thai. Sometimes I swap it for paneer in our favorite Indian dishes, like Palak Paneer or Chilli Paneer.
My hubby and I add it to salads for a tasty low-carb lunch with only 1 gram of net carbs per cup!
Air Fryer Facts: You can find a detailed guide on an Air Fryer - how it works, which one to buy, and what all you can cook in it, in this article: How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions
All it takes is 5 simple ingredients to make this crispy baked tofu. You can find all of these in the international food section of most supermarkets. Here’s what we need: Extra-firm tofu: Make sure to use the extra-firm kind, and give your tofu adequate time to drain and press. The longer it drains, the crispier it will get. Soy sauce: You can use lower-sodium soy sauce if you wish. For gluten-free tofu, use tamari instead. Sesame oil: Sesame oil is traditional in Asian cooking and gives the tofu an authentic, smoky-earthy flavor. Oil: You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil with a high smoke point. Chili garlic paste: You can use a chili garlic paste you make yourself or use store-bought, such as Huy Fong or Sambal Oelek. Add less or omit it all together for mild flavors. Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Tofu
Here are the step-by-step instructions that result in the crispiest tofu: Step 1- Press tofu to squeeze out excess moisture: Remove from packaging and place it on a plate lined with 2 paper towels. Place another plate on top. Now place a canned food item to add weight to that. Leave it like that for 15-30 minutes (depending on how crispy you want it to be). Step 2- Cut tofu into cubes: Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch, and transfer to a bowl. Step 3- Marinate the tofu: Combine all marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl. Drizzle over tofu and toss to coat well. Let the tofu marinate for 10 minutes. Step 4- Cook the tofu: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spread tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the pan once in between. Step 5- Check tofu: Check for doneness. For a crispier texture, add it back for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Alternate Method: How to Bake Tofu in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prep and marinate tofu as per instructions, then spread it out on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the tofu pieces halfway through.
Serving Suggestions
This tofu is absolutely delicious in salads, curries, soups, or as an appetizer with dipping sauce. Make a quick lunch bowl with crispy tofu, brown rice, and roasted broccoli or brussel sprouts. Drizzle it with sriracha or any Asian salad dressing, and top with toasted peanuts and sliced green onions. You can also add it to Asian or Indian dishes, like the following:
Saag Paneer- Replace paneer with crisp tofuPaneer Kathi Roll (Paneer Frankie)Vegetable Chow MeinMassaman CurrySweet Corn Soup
Note: When substituting it for paneer, simply follow the same instructions and cook times.
How to Store & Reheat
Store. Store cooled tofu pieces in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.Reheat. Reheat the tofu in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2 minutes.
I don’t recommend freezing crispy tofu as it changes the texture of tofu.
Try a Seasoning Variation
Indian: 1 tablespoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, pinch of turmericItalian: 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, a dash of paprika and cayenne pepperMexican: 1 teaspoon each of cumin and Mexican chili powder; ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika
Recipe Tips & Notes
Buy firm tofu: I recommend extra-firm or firm tofu for this recipe. The softer varieties will not be able to hold shape for this recipe. Use the right oil: For best results, use any oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil.Don’t skip the pressing step: Letting your tofu adequately drain helps give it its crispy texture. How to store: Crispy tofu tastes best served fresh. But if you’re doing meal-prep, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. To reheat, add it back to the air fryer for 2 minutes.Make it gluten free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Make sure to double-check the ingredient list; while most tamari does not contain wheat gluten, some brands do.Bake in the oven: Follow the instructions to prepare and marinate tofu. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping the tofu pieces halfway through.
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