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    Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    July 2, 2020 by Denise Bustard 21 Comments

    Home / Recipes / Air Fryer / Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    Jump to Recipe

    This ultra crispy air fryer tofu is seasoned with a delicious spice rub and cooked through in just 13 minutes! Golden and crisp on the edges while soft on the inside.

    The air fryer is such a great appliance for making crispy chickpeas, zucchini fries, and so much more. One of our favorite ways to use it is to make crispy tofu!

    close up shot of air fryer tofu in bowl with dip

    Just like our Easy Baked Tofu, this air fryer tofu is crispy and coated with a delicious seasoning blend that gives it so much flavor.

    And the best part is that by cooking it in the air fryer, we reduce the cook time from 45 minutes to just 13 minutes. Yeah!

    Reasons to ♡ air fryer tofu

    • it has SO MUCH FLAVOR and is even kid-friendly
    • you don't need to make a sauce or marinade, simply season with a few spices
    • it cooks in just 13 minutes

    Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

    pressing the tofu between plates with a can of tomatoes on top

    Choose the right tofu

    High in protein and containing all the essential amino acids, tofu is a great plant-based protein option.

    Tofu is made from compressed soybean curds, and comes in many different varieties including including silken, regular, smoked and extra firm (among many other varieties!). We want our tofu to hold its shape while cooking, which is why you'll need extra firm tofu for this recipe.

    Start by pressing the tofu

    Pressing the tofu is important for a few different reasons: 1) it helps remove extra moisture from within the tofu, and this helps the tofu get nice and crispy; 2) it improves the flavor by pressing out the flavor-less liquid; 3) it helps the tofu retain it's shape- unpressed tofu can be more delicate and may crumble in the air fryer.

    To press the tofu, place tofu between paper towels and plates, then stack a heavy can on top (pictured above). Press for 30 minutes. You can also purchase a tofu press, which may be a good investment if you eat tofu often.

    Making the seasoning

    The superstar hero of this crispy tofu recipe is the seasoning blend, which is made with simple pantry ingredients, but gives the tofu so much extra flavor.

    Mix together paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. You can double or triple this recipe and store it for later (up to a year) in an air tight container! It works great on roasted vegetables, potatoes, and more.

    hand holding bottle of avocado oil

    How to cook tofu in the air fryer

    1. Press tofu for at least 30 minutes.
    2. Heat air fryer to 390°F/200°C.
    3. Toss tofu in avocado oil.
    4. Toss tofu in cornstarch until completely coated.
    5. Toss tofu in a seasoning blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt.
    6. Add tofu to the basket of your air fryer. Cook, shaking the basket occasionally, for 13 minutes, or until tofu is crispy to your liking

    tofu cubes tossed in seasonings

    Serve it with

    Crispy tofu goes so well with a dip. Here are some tasty ideas:

    • the peanut sauce from this Peanut Ginger Tofu Stir Fry
    • Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing
    • One of these 7 Amazing Hummus Recipes
    • Super Speedy Tzatziki
    • Healthier Caesar Dressing

    tofu in air fryer basket

    More air fryer recipes

    • Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots
    • Air Fryer Chickpea Cauliflower Tacos
    • Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • Air Fryer Honey Lime Shrimp
    • Air Fryer Thai Salmon Patties
    overhead shot of tofu cubes in air fryer
    Print Recipe
    5 from 12 votes

    Crispy Seasoned Air Fryer Tofu

    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 94kcal
    Author: Denise Bustard
    Servings: 4
    This ultra crispy air fryer tofu is super flavorful and cooked through in just 13 minutes! Popular with kids and adults and an easy vegan recipe.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time13 mins
    Pressing Time30 mins
    Total Time23 mins

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz block extra firm tofu (350 g)
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (see note 1)
    • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Press tofu:
      Sandwich between paper towels and two plates. Place a heavy object (like a 28 oz can) on the top plate. See photo in post for a visual. Press for 30 minutes or more.
    • Heat air fryer to 200°C/ 390°F.
    • Cut tofu into ½ inch or ¾ inch cubes.
    • Toss tofu in avocado oil, then in cornstarch.
    • Toss tofu in all remaining spices until evenly coated, then place in the air fryer basket.
    • Cook for 13 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
    • Tofu is ready when it is firm on the outside. It should still be soft on the inside, as it hardens as it cools.
    • Enjoy immediately!

    Notes

    1- Other high smoke point oils that may be suitable for air fryer tofu include: peanut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil and vegetable oil.
    2- Tofu may be pressed 3-4 days before cooking and stored in an air tight container in the fridge
    Storage
    Crispy tofu does not keep well and is best served fresh.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 batch | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @SweetPeaSaffron or tag #sweetpeasandsaffron

    About Denise Bustard

    Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more. read more

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    Hi, I'm Denise

    Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too!

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