Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

This amazing air-fryer tofu is perfect for anyone who wants crispy, flavorful protein without all the oil and mess! Your family will love how golden and crunchy it gets on the outside while staying tender inside. Plus, it’s ready in just over an hour with only 15 minutes of hands-on work.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 162 Calories, 9g Fat, 10g Carbs, 12g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Firm or extra-firm tofu: You’ll need one 14-ounce package, drained and patted dry. Extra-firm works best because it holds its shape better when you press and cube it!

Nutritional yeast: Just 2 tablespoons of this golden, nutty powder adds such a rich, almost cheesy flavor to your tofu. You can find it in the health food section of most grocery stores.

Honey: One tablespoon gives you that perfect touch of sweetness to balance all the savory flavors. It also helps the tofu get beautifully golden in the air fryer.

Lower-sodium tamari: You’ll use 1 tablespoon for that deep, umami flavor. Regular soy sauce works too if that’s what you have on hand!

Toasted sesame oil: Just 1 tablespoon brings such a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor. Make sure it’s the toasted kind for the best taste.

Rice vinegar: One tablespoon adds a gentle tang that brightens up all the other flavors perfectly.

Sriracha: Two teaspoons give you just a hint of heat – not too spicy, but enough to make things interesting!

How to Make Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

Step 1: Wrap your tofu in paper towels and place it on a plate. Put a heavy cast-iron skillet right on top and let it press for 30 minutes. This step is super important because it removes extra water and helps your tofu get crispy!

Step 2: Whisk together nutritional yeast, honey, tamari, sesame oil, rice vinegar, Sriracha, five-spice powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Cut your pressed tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and toss them in this amazing marinade. Let them sit for 10 minutes to soak up all those flavors.

Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Spray the fryer basket with cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Step 4: Arrange your tofu cubes in a single layer in the basket. Don’t overcrowd them – work in batches if you need to! Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re crispy and golden brown. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt before serving.

Easy and Quick Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu Version

Want to speed things up? You can press your tofu overnight in the fridge instead of waiting 30 minutes! Just wrap it up, put that heavy skillet on top, and let time do the work. You can also marinate the cubes overnight for even deeper flavor. When you’re ready to cook, just pop them straight into the preheated air fryer!

Serving Ideas

This crispy tofu makes a complete meal when you serve it over fluffy rice or quinoa. Try it with some steamed broccoli and carrots for a colorful, healthy dinner. It’s also amazing in grain bowls with fresh cucumber, shredded cabbage, and a drizzle of extra tamari.

Storage

Store leftover tofu in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to get that crispiness back. You can also reheat it in a regular oven at 400°F for about 5 minutes.

Substitutions

No honey? Maple syrup works great instead! If you don’t have tamari, regular soy sauce is totally fine. You can swap the Sriracha for any hot sauce you love, or leave it out completely if you don’t like spicy food. No five-spice powder? Try a pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon instead.

Pro Tips

Press it well: The longer you press your tofu, the crispier it gets. Don’t skip this step!
Don’t overcrowd: Give those cubes space to breathe in the air fryer for maximum crispiness.
Flip gently: Use tongs or a spatula to flip the tofu so it doesn’t break apart.
Make it ahead: This tofu tastes even better when you marinate it overnight.

FAQs

Can I use soft or silken tofu for this recipe?

I’d stick with firm or extra-firm tofu for this one! Soft tofu will fall apart when you try to cube and flip it. The firmer texture holds up much better in the air fryer and gives you those perfect crispy edges.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You bet you can make this in a regular oven! Preheat to 425°F and bake the marinated tofu cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

How do I know when the tofu is done?

Sure! Look for golden brown edges and a crispy exterior. The tofu should feel firm when you gently press it with a spatula. If it’s still soft, give it another 2-3 minutes in the air fryer.

Can I freeze this tofu?

You can freeze the cooked tofu for up to 3 months! Just let it cool completely first, then store in freezer bags. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.

I hope you love this crispy air-fryer tofu as much as my family does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friend!