Crispy Air Fryer Tofu (Printable)

Golden crunchy tofu cubes with tender center, air-fried to perfection.

# Ingredient List:

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed

02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)

03 - 1 tbsp sesame oil

04 - 1 tbsp cornstarch

05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder

06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

01 - Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 3/4-inch cubes.

02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

03 - Add tofu cubes to the bowl and gently toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes.

04 - Sprinkle cornstarch over the marinated tofu and toss until each cube is well coated.

05 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.

06 - Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch.

07 - Air fry for 13–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tofu is golden and crispy.

08 - Serve hot as a snack, salad topping, or in grain bowls with your favorite dipping sauce.

01 -

You get restaurant-style crispy tofu without the mess of deep frying or the calories
The exterior crunch gives way to impossibly tender insides that absorb whatever flavors you throw at them

02 -

Crowding the air fryer basket creates steam instead of crisp, so work in batches if needed
The cornstarch coating needs to be applied just before cooking or it will get gummy

03 -

Let the tofu marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor penetration
A light spray of oil halfway through cooking helps achieve even more golden color