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Crispy tofu cubes cooked in the air fryer on a white background with ketchup on the side.
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5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Tofu

This air fryer tofu comes out super crispy with just 5 simple ingredients and about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s an easy, no-fuss recipe that’s packed with flavor and perfect for adding to bowls, salads, or anything you’re cooking. If you’re looking for a quick way to make tofu that actually turns out crunchy and delicious, this is it!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 149kcal
Author: Iosune Robles

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm or extra-firm tofu 14-16 ounces (400-450 g)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil I used olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch optional but recommended for extra crispiness

Instructions

  • Press the tofu by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing something heavy on top for 15-30 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture so the tofu gets crispier, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
    Tofu wrapped in a clean towel on a plate with a pot on top.
  • Cut the tofu into cubes and place them in a bowl. Add the soy sauce, oil, and garlic powder, and mix well. Marinate it for at least 15 minutes or overnight for the best flavor, but if you’re in a hurry you can move straight to the next step.
    Firm tofu cubes tossed with soy sauce, oil, and garlic powder in a bowl.
  • Drain the tofu and discard the leftover marinade. Transfer the cubes to a large ziploc bag, add the cornstarch, seal the bag, and shake until everything is evenly coated. You can do this step in a bowl, but the bag usually coats the tofu more uniformly and makes it crispier. If you prefer, you can skip the cornstarch, but the tofu won’t get quite as crispy.
    Marinated tofu cubes covered in cornstarch inside a large ziploc bag.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (200ºC) for about 3-5 minutes. Transfer the tofu cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook half the tofu at a time.
    Tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer before cooking.
  • Cook for 10–15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, shaking the basket every 5 minutes so it cooks evenly.
    Cooked tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it with your favorite sauce or add it to any dish you like.
    Air fryer tofu arranged on a white plate with a small bowl of ketchup.

Notes

  • Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The tofu softens a bit but reheats well.
  • You can freeze it for up to 2 months, though the texture becomes a little chewier.
  • Reheat it in the air fryer at 350ºF (180ºC) for 3-5 minutes, or warm it in a skillet or microwave.
  • The prep time doesn’t include pressing or marinating the tofu because both are optional.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 508mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 2mg
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