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Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

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This air fryer tofu recipe transforms ordinary tofu into crispy, flavorful bites with an Asian-inspired marinade and cornstarch coating.Perfect for a quick vegetarian meal, it offers restaurant-style crispiness without deep frying, ready in under an hour.
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Aisha
Updated on Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:24:21 GMT
A plate of golden-brown, crispy cubed tofu is garnished with herbs and sits on a marble surface. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown, crispy cubed tofu is garnished with herbs and sits on a marble surface. | www.cookingflavor.com

Let me share my absolute favorite way to transform tofu into a crave-worthy dish using the air fryer. After countless experiments in my kitchen I've perfected this recipe that gives you irresistibly crispy tofu cubes infused with a delicious sesame ginger marinade. It's my go to protein choice that never fails to impress even the most dedicated meat eaters in my family.

Why You'll Love It

This recipe completely changed how my family thinks about tofu. The air fryer creates this amazing contrast between the crispy exterior and tender middle while my special marinade infuses every bite with fantastic flavor. I love how quick it comes together making it perfect for busy nights when we want something tasty but nutritious.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Tofu: 1 block extra firm tofu 14-16 ounces drained and pressed.
  • Marinade: 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon grated ginger 2 cloves minced garlic.
  • Coating: 3 tablespoons cornstarch for that perfect crispy exterior.
  • Optional Garnishes: Sesame seeds green onions and extra sauce for serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Tofu
Press your tofu between paper towels with a heavy weight on top for 30 minutes. Cut into 1 inch cubes for the perfect bite size pieces.
Make the Marinade
Whisk together soy sauce sesame oil rice vinegar ginger and garlic in a bowl until well combined. Set aside some extra for serving.
Marinate
Gently toss the tofu cubes in the marinade. Let them soak up all that goodness for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours in the fridge.
Coating Time
Drain the tofu from marinade and toss in cornstarch until evenly coated. Make sure each piece gets a light dusting.
Air Fry to Perfection
Place the coated tofu in a single layer in your preheated air fryer at 380°F. Cook for 15 minutes shaking the basket halfway through until golden and crispy.
The image shows a bowl of marinated tofu cubes coated with a reddish spice mixture. Pin it
The image shows a bowl of marinated tofu cubes coated with a reddish spice mixture. | www.cookingflavor.com

Pro Tips for Success

The secret to amazing tofu lies in the prep work. I always press mine really well it makes such a difference in the final texture. Take your time with the marinating process those flavors need time to work their magic. When air frying give those cubes plenty of space to get crispy and remember to save some marinade for drizzling at the end.

Serving Suggestions

In my house we love serving this crispy tofu over a bed of fluffy brown rice with stir fried veggies on the side. Sometimes I'll add it to fresh salads for extra protein or tuck it into lettuce wraps for a light lunch. When friends come over I serve them as appetizers with extra dipping sauce they're always surprised how quickly they disappear.

Storage and Reheating

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge they stay good for about four days. When we're ready to enjoy them again a quick trip back to the air fryer at 350°F brings back that wonderful crispiness. The marinade keeps well too perfect for whipping up another batch later in the week.

Creative Variations

My kitchen is all about experimenting with flavors. Sometimes I spice things up with a dollop of chili paste or brighten the marinade with fresh orange zest. Adding five spice powder to the cornstarch creates an amazing Asian inspired coating. Lately I've been loving a sweet and tangy version using pineapple juice in the marinade.

A Meatless Marvel

This crispy tofu recipe has completely changed how we think about meatless meals in our house. Even my formerly tofu skeptic husband asks for it regularly now. Whether I'm cooking for a casual family dinner or hosting friends this dish always impresses and proves that plant based cooking can be absolutely delicious.

A plate of golden-brown, crispy tofu cubes garnished with chopped green onions. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown, crispy tofu cubes garnished with chopped green onions. | www.cookingflavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do you need to press tofu?
Pressing tofu removes excess moisture, which allows it to better absorb the marinade. It also helps achieve a crispier texture when cooked.
→ Can I make the tofu ahead of time?
You can press and marinate the tofu up to 24 hours in advance. For best results, coat and air fry just before serving to maintain crispiness.
→ How do I store leftover crispy tofu?
Store cooled tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
→ What can I serve with this tofu?
This tofu pairs well with rice, noodles, or a fresh Asian-style salad. You can also serve it as an appetizer with the reserved marinade as a dipping sauce.
→ Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?
You can bake the tofu in a regular oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The air fryer just makes it quicker and crispier.

Conclusion

This air fryer tofu recipe provides a quick and delicious way to prepare crispy tofu with an Asian-inspired marinade. By using cornstarch and an air fryer, you can achieve restaurant-quality texture at home.

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Crispy, flavorful tofu cubes made in the air fryer, marinated in a savory sauce and coated with cornstarch. A quick and tasty vegetarian-friendly dish.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Yield: 3 Servings (32 tofu cubes)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 block (16 oz) extra-firm tofu.
02 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce.
03 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar.
04 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil.
05 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce.
06 1 large garlic clove, grated.
07 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger.
08 2 teaspoons sugar.
09 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
10 1/4 cup cornstarch.
11 Cooking spray.
12 Salt to taste.
13 Chopped scallions and sesame seeds for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Wrap tofu in towels, place in a pan with weights on top. Press for 15 minutes to remove moisture.

Step 02

Mix soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, ginger, sugar, and pepper in a bowl.

Step 03

Slice pressed tofu into 32 cubes. Toss gently in marinade for 15 minutes.

Step 04

Roll each marinated tofu cube in cornstarch, ensuring a thin, even coating.

Step 05

Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.

Step 06

Arrange tofu in a single layer, spray lightly. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook 5 more minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 07

Sprinkle with salt if desired. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with optional dipping sauce.

Notes

  1. For dipping sauce, double the marinade ingredients and reserve half before marinating tofu.
  2. Tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Cutting board.
  • Knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Total Fat: 11 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Protein: 14 g