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    Home > Recipes > How-Tos

    Air Fryer Tofu

    Published: Jan 3, 2021 · Modified: Nov 9, 2022 by Iosune · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Close-up shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu with the words air fryer tofu
    Photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu with the words air fryer tofu

    Air fryer tofu, easy, affordable, and high in protein. It is a super simple and healthy recipe that requires 4 ingredients and 30 minutes!

    Photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu

    Tofu is one of my favorite ingredients ever. It's affordable, nutritious, and super high in good-quality vegan protein. I usually bake it, but when I tried this air fryer tofu I couldn't believe how good it actually is!

    It is super easy to prepare and it turns out really crispy, tasty, and satisfying. As it is conveniently made with an air fryer, this recipe requires only 1 tablespoon of oil, but you can omit it if you want to.

    Besides, you can serve it with plenty of different ingredients, but one of my favorite ways of eating it is with some delicious veggie stir fry. However, you can also have it plain.

    Air fryer tofu recipe, simple, flavorful, and ready in no time. To make it you only need 4 affordable and easy-to-find ingredients and just 30 minutes. I hope you enjoy!

    Contents hide
    1. Air fryer tofu recipe - Short video
    2. How to make air fryer tofu - Step by step
    3. Pro tips
    4. How long will this tofu keep?
    5. Can I make it without pressing?
    6. How to serve air fryer tofu
    7. Looking for more tofu recipes?
    8. Did you make this air fryer tofu recipe?
    9. 📖 Recipe
    10. Air Fryer Tofu

    Air fryer tofu recipe - Short video

    How to make air fryer tofu - Step by step

    Step-by-step photos of how to make this recipe
    • Cut the tofu into cubes (photo 1).
    • Place the tofu cubes into a mixing bowl (photo 2) and add all the remaining ingredients (photo 3). Stir until well combined (photo 4) and let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF or 200ºC. 
    • Transfer the tofu cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer (photo 5) and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan a couple of times to promote even cooking (photo 6).
    • Serve your air fryer tofu immediately.

    Pro tips

    • Prep time includes the 15 minutes you need to let the tofu marinate.
    • If you don’t have an air fryer, you could sautée the tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, or bake it at 400ºF or 200ºC for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip each of the tofu cubes so they can cook evenly on the other side. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Try the tofu before serving and add more salt if needed.
    • Feel free to add any spices or herbs you like or have on hand.
    • Soy sauce can be replaced by tamari or coconut aminos. You could also add some salt instead, but I think soy sauce is the best choice.
    • Oil is optional, but it makes the tofu crispier and more flavorful.
    • Firm or extra firm tofu are the best options for this recipe, as silken or other soft tofu types wouldn’t work as good.
    Close-up shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu

    How long will this tofu keep?

    This recipe will last for quite a long time if stored properly, so if you have leftovers make sure to keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Can I make it without pressing?

    Although I don't press the tofu because I think it really is not necessary (I just drain it), feel free to do it if you want to.

    How to serve air fryer tofu

    I usually serve tofu with some veggies. One of my favorite ways of eating it is with some veggie stir fry and a little bit of rice. You can also serve it with soups like cabbage soup, vegetable soup, or with anything you want to!

    Looking for more tofu recipes?

    • Fried Tofu
    • Baked Tofu
    • Marinated Tofu
    • Sesame Tofu
    • Sweet and Sour Tofu
    Side shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu

    Did you make this air fryer tofu recipe?

    Please leave a comment below, share it, or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!

    This post contains affiliate links so you can easily find some of the products that we used to make this recipe. If you buy any of them through the links provided (without any extra cost for you), we'll get a commission. We're so grateful for your support!

    📖 Recipe

    Square photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu

    Air Fryer Tofu

    Air fryer tofu, easy, affordable, and high in protein. It is a super simple and healthy recipe that requires 4 ingredients and 30 minutes!
    5 from 3 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Course: How to, Main Dish, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Iosune


    Ingredients 

    US Customary - Metric
    • 16 ounces firm tofu
    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon oil, I used extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Cut the tofu into cubes. I don’t press the tofu because I prefer to save some time and also think it’s not necessary, but it’s up to you. I just drain the tofu and discard the liquid.
    • Place the tofu cubes into a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined and let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF or 200 Cº (I preheat mine according to manufacturer's recommendations, for about 3 minutes). 
    • Transfer the tofu cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan a couple of times to promote even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook half the tofu at a time.
    • Serve immediately with dishes like veggie stir fry, cabbage soup, or vegetable soup.
    • Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Notes

    • Prep time includes the 15 minutes you need to let the tofu marinate.
    • If you don’t have an air fryer, you could sautée the tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, or bake it at 400ºF or 200ºC for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip each of the tofu cubes so they can cook evenly on the other side. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Try the tofu before serving and add more salt if needed.
    • Feel free to add any spices or herbs you like or have on hand.
    • Soy sauce can be replaced by tamari or coconut aminos. You could also add some salt instead, but I think soy sauce is the best choice.
    • Oil is optional, but it makes the tofu crispier and more flavorful.
    • Firm or extra firm tofu are the best options for this recipe, as silken or other soft tofu types wouldn’t work as good.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 9.8g | Fat: 8.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Sodium: 465mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 1g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bryce says

      February 26, 2023 at 9:07 pm

      Hi do you have a physical cook book available that features your most popular recipes?

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        February 27, 2023 at 10:15 am

        Hi Bryce! No, we haven't, thanks for asking anyways 🙂

        Reply
    2. Margaret Carmen says

      March 18, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      I love the idea of creating crisp tofu in the air fryer! I will definitely give this technique a try. It will be a great addition to a stir fry. My family will love this!

      Reply
    3. David B says

      January 07, 2021 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      I love air fryer tofu! I also like to throw in some nutritional yeast on occasion.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        January 15, 2021 at 11:16 am

        I love nutritional yeast 🙂

        Reply
    4. DeAnne Norton says

      January 03, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      Can you marinate for longer? Like make the night before for dinner the next night and just air fryer it the next night?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        January 04, 2021 at 10:30 am

        Hi! That's a good option 🙂

        Reply

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