Mostly, if you’ve ever had tofu but thought you could do with it tasting a lot more crispy or crunchier, or even just more satisfying, then it is time to meet your new fav dish – air fryer tofu. I’m talking about crispy, golden-brown tofu, which has an excellent texture, deliciously deep flavors, and just the right amount of crunch.
This is simple enough to make for 15 minutes; air fryer tofu can totally blow your brain. The simplicity of preparation and its stunningly satisfying finish will surprise you, and I’m telling you, it won’t even occur to you how easily this recipe is done and how powerfully packed it is in every crispy bite.
Let’s get on into why I completely love this recipe and how it has become a weekly staple in my kitchen.
This is why you will fall in love with this Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy Texture with No Frying: The exterior of this tofu is all crispy and golden, as if it has been breaded and deep fried, except without any oil-heavy frying whatsoever. No, we’re talking about the real thing: Like a crispy snack, this one is air fried-crunchy. And it’s only in 15 minutes.
Versatile Flavor-All the flavors sink in for the best seasoning but don’t overpower this tofu with any one identifiable flavor, so it becomes a total chameleon. The crispiness on the tofu provides great surface area, allowing any sauce or seasoning-whether spicy, savory, or tangy-to cling to it well.
No Pressing Required: I love that this recipe entails no pressing of tofu. That is such a relief for those people who have no time to hang around for tofu to release any water. Vacuum-packed tofu is ready for action straight from the package: no pressing, no fuss.
The Ultimate Saucing Bath: The texture and surface area of tofu just scream for saucing! Each and every crack and crevice would pick up sauce so that every little taste you take is flavored with it. Picture that applied in the tofu world instead of a crispy chicken nugget—but way better!
This air-fried tofu has claimed a precious space in my heart and kitchen because they are so easy to make and extremely versatile. Toss into a curry, sprinkle over a rice bowl, throw into stir-fry, or simply dip in any of your favorite dipping sauces like a nugget. Whatever it gets served with will certainly taste great!
Speaking of sauces, my current matchmaking favorite for this tofu is gochujang: this worked out to be a spicy-sweet plus for the crispy tofu that is now permanently included in my repertoire. I am attaching a link to the recipe for this sauce, which you should try!
Make Air Fryer Tofu in 15 Minutes
It’s so easy to prepare air-fryer tofu. Here is how to go about it:
The Ingredients for Air-Fryer Tofu
Cornstarch – gives that extra-perfect crispy crunch
Nutritional yeast – adds the savory umami flavor
Soy sauce – brings in that perfect saltiness
Oil – the oil helps the batter stick to the tofu and gives a golden color
Spice mix – this is where you can choose anything. Just a sprinkle of your favorite spice mix will do great enhancement, but you can change with based on your preference!
Perfect Instructions for Air-Fryer Tofu
Mix Your Sauce: In a bowl, mix cornstarch, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, oil, and throw in a dash of your spice mix. That will be the batter which makes the tofu very crispy and delicious. Rip n’ Toss Your Tofu: Rip your tofu into small craggy pieces. Ripping gives it those fun, jagged edges that will hold that delicious batter instead of cutting it into neat cubes. Tear the tofu into bits and toss it with your sauce until well-coated.
Air fry for the perfect crisp! First, preheat the air fryer to about 400F. Add the tofu to the basket and air-fry for about 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket to flip the tofu and let it cook for another 5 minutes or so until golden brown. Tofu will be utterly gorgeous!
What is Air Fryer Tofu all about?
Can this be done in an oven?
You may bake your tofu at about 400 degrees for 20 minutes. You may not get the same crispiness as the air fryer; however, it is still really good!
Is it possible that this can be made without nutritional yeast?
Definitely! You can just substitute the nutritional yeast with some extra cornstarch, or even breadcrumbs, for that same crisp-great coating. The texture will be just as crunchy, and you will achieve a similar buildup.
Can I substitute arrowroot starch to cornstarch?
Yes, arrowroot starch will work just as well as cornstarch in this recipe. Either one will give us the crispy, golden texture we are after!
Does Air-Fried Tofu Taste Good as Leftovers?
Yes. The tofu can be good up to a couple of days, even if it loses a bit of its crispy exterior. However, with just a few minutes spent in the air fryer, it gets back its satisfying crunch. Probably when tossed with any sauce, it loses a bit of the original flaky crust, but for the taste, it’s worth every effort.
How Can I Make This Using Meat?
I would suggest trying out the chicken in the same crispy texture as tofu: I would still bake. Need a recipe? Try making something that has been an easy and still lip-smacking recipe for me.
To Sum it Up
Air fryer tofu is undemanding and very versatile; hence, any one of us, beginner or experienced chef, can do it. The tofu, gezoned with a crispy and criggly surface, remains a shadowboard for any sauce or seasoning chosen by you. If it’s included in a stir-fry or thrown in a curry; eaten with preferred dips, this recipe would be your go-to meal right away. No more pressing, just simple, crispy tofu that tastes great!
