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Home > Recipes > Vegan Kitchen Basics

Air Fryer Tofu

Published: Jan 3, 2021 ยท Modified: Nov 9, 2022 by Iosune Robles ยท This post may contain affiliate links

5 from 4 votes
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Close-up shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu with the words air fryer tofu
Photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu with the words air fryer tofu

Air fryer tofu, easy, affordable, and high in protein. It is a super simple and healthy recipe that requires 4 ingredients and 30 minutes!

Photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu

Tofu is one of my favorite ingredients ever. It's affordable, nutritious, and super high in good-quality vegan protein. I usually bake it, but when I tried this air fryer tofu I couldn't believe how good it actually is!

It is super easy to prepare and it turns out really crispy, tasty, and satisfying. As it is conveniently made with an air fryer, this recipe requires only 1 tablespoon of oil, but you can omit it if you want to.

Besides, you can serve it with plenty of different ingredients, but one of my favorite ways of eating it is with some delicious veggie stir fry. However, you can also have it plain.

Air fryer tofu recipe, simple, flavorful, and ready in no time. To make it you only need 4 affordable and easy-to-find ingredients and just 30 minutes. I hope you enjoy!

Looking for more tofu recipes? You need to try my Crispy Sesame Tofu and Tofu Steak recipes. You're going to love them!

Air fryer tofu recipe - Short video

How to make air fryer tofu - Step by step

Step-by-step photos of how to make this recipe
  • Cut the tofu into cubes (photo 1).
  • Place the tofu cubes into a mixing bowl (photo 2) and add all the remaining ingredients (photo 3). Stir until well combined (photo 4) and let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF or 200ºC. 
  • Transfer the tofu cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer (photo 5) and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan a couple of times to promote even cooking (photo 6).
  • Serve your air fryer tofu immediately.

Pro tips

  • Prep time includes the 15 minutes you need to let the tofu marinate.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, you could sautée the tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, or bake it at 400ºF or 200ºC for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip each of the tofu cubes so they can cook evenly on the other side. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Try the tofu before serving and add more salt if needed.
  • Feel free to add any spices or herbs you like or have on hand.
  • Soy sauce can be replaced by tamari or coconut aminos. You could also add some salt instead, but I think soy sauce is the best choice.
  • Oil is optional, but it makes the tofu crispier and more flavorful.
  • Firm or extra firm tofu are the best options for this recipe, as silken or other soft tofu types wouldn’t work as good.
Close-up shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu

How long will this tofu keep?

This recipe will last for quite a long time if stored properly, so if you have leftovers make sure to keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Can I make it without pressing?

Although I don't press the tofu because I think it really is not necessary (I just drain it), feel free to do it if you want to.

How to serve air fryer tofu

I usually serve tofu with some veggies. One of my favorite ways of eating it is with some veggie stir fry and a little bit of rice. You can also serve it with soups like cabbage soup, vegetable soup, or with anything you want to!

Looking for more tofu recipes?

  • Fried Tofu
  • Baked Tofu
  • Marinated Tofu
  • Sesame Tofu
  • Sweet and Sour Tofu
  • Sticky Orange Tofu
Side shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu

Did you make this air fryer tofu recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!

Square photo of a bowl of air fryer tofu
5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Tofu

Air fryer tofu, easy, affordable, and high in protein. It is a super simple and healthy recipe that requires 4 ingredients and 30 minutes!
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Servings: 4
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Ingredients 
 

  • 16 ounces firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil, I used extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
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Instructions 

  • Cut the tofu into cubes. I don’t press the tofu because I prefer to save some time and also think it’s not necessary, but it’s up to you. I just drain the tofu and discard the liquid.
  • Place the tofu cubes into a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined and let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF or 200 Cº (I preheat mine according to manufacturer's recommendations, for about 3 minutes). 
  • Transfer the tofu cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan a couple of times to promote even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook half the tofu at a time.
  • Serve immediately with dishes like veggie stir fry, cabbage soup, or vegetable soup.
  • Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Prep time includes the 15 minutes you need to let the tofu marinate.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, you could sautée the tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, or bake it at 400ºF or 200ºC for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip each of the tofu cubes so they can cook evenly on the other side. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Try the tofu before serving and add more salt if needed.
  • Feel free to add any spices or herbs you like or have on hand.
  • Soy sauce can be replaced by tamari or coconut aminos. You could also add some salt instead, but I think soy sauce is the best choice.
  • Oil is optional, but it makes the tofu crispier and more flavorful.
  • Firm or extra firm tofu are the best options for this recipe, as silken or other soft tofu types wouldn’t work as good.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 9.8g | Fat: 8.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Sodium: 465mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 1g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know how it was!
Course: How to, Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Iosune Robles

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Comments

  1. Bryce says

    February 26, 2023 at 9:07 pm

    Hi do you have a physical cook book available that features your most popular recipes?

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      February 27, 2023 at 10:15 am

      Hi Bryce! No, we haven't, thanks for asking anyways ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Margaret Carmen says

    March 18, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    I love the idea of creating crisp tofu in the air fryer! I will definitely give this technique a try. It will be a great addition to a stir fry. My family will love this!

    Reply
    • Jdi says

      December 14, 2024 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      Itโ€™s easy and yummy ,I add alittle cornstarch to the mix ,makes it crispier in my fryer

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        December 16, 2024 at 2:41 am

        Hi Jdi! Thank you! Iโ€™m so glad you enjoyed it. Adding a little cornstarch is a great idea. It really does help make it crispier. Thanks for sharing your tip!

  3. David B says

    January 07, 2021 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    I love air fryer tofu! I also like to throw in some nutritional yeast on occasion.

    Reply
    • Iosune Robles says

      January 15, 2021 at 11:16 am

      I love nutritional yeast ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. DeAnne Norton says

    January 03, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Can you marinate for longer? Like make the night before for dinner the next night and just air fryer it the next night?

    Reply
    • Iosune Robles says

      January 04, 2021 at 10:30 am

      Hi! That's a good option ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Close-up shot of a bowl of air fryer tofu with the words air fryer tofu
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Hi, I'm Iosune!

I share easy and delicious vegan recipes perfect for everyday meals and special occasions, all made with simple, everyday ingredients.

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