Crispy Air Fryer Tofu (Printable)

Golden crunchy tofu with tender interior, made effortlessly in the air fryer. Perfect for salads, bowls, or dipping sauces.

# What You'll Need:

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

02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce

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

02 - Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a large bowl.

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

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

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

06 - Arrange 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 -

The crispy exterior gives way to impossibly tender tofu inside, creating that perfect restaurant texture without the oil heavy hassle
It takes 25 minutes from pressing to plating, making it ideal for those nights when takeout feels tempting but you want something real

02 -

Overcrowding the air fryer basket is the number one mistake home cooks make, leading to uneven cooking and disappointing texture
Skipping the pressing step might save time, but you will never achieve restaurant quality crispiness without removing that excess water first

03 -

Let the cooked tofu rest on a wire rack for 2 minutes after air frying so steam does not make the exterior soggy
Potato starch creates an even lighter, crispier coating if you want to experiment with different textures