Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

This air fryer tofu recipe is the easiest way to make crispy, flavorful tofu at home! Toss it into a grain bowl or stir fry for a boost of plant-based protein.

Air Fryer Tofu

After my first bite of this air fryer tofu, I immediately thought, “What took me so long?” It’s crispier than any tofu I’ve baked in the oven, and it’s SO much easier to make than deep-fried or pan-fried tofu. No sticking to the pan, no splashing oil… If you want to make really crispy, crunchy tofu at home without a lot of fuss, you have to try this air fryer tofu recipe.

Air fryer tofu recipe ingredients

Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this air fryer tofu recipe:

  • Tofu, of course! Nothing less than extra-firm here! Softer types of tofu will fall apart when tossed with seasonings, and they won’t get as crispy when they cook.
  • Tamari and sriracha – They infuse the tofu with savory, spicy flavor. If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to substitute soy sauce for the tamari.
  • Avocado oil – It adds richness to the tofu and helps it crisp up in the air fryer.
  • And cornstarch – For crunch! It creates a delicious crispy coating around the outside of the tofu.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Hands tossing cubed tofu with seasonings in glass bowl

Do I Need A Tofu Press?

If you want to make the crispiest, crunchiest air fryer tofu possible, I recommend pressing your tofu before you cook it. This step adds some extra time to this recipe, but it’s totally worth it. Pressing the excess water out of the tofu helps it cook up extra-firm and crisp.

Though you can press tofu with a cast-iron skillet or a stack of books, I highly recommend getting a tofu press if you cook tofu often. I love the Tofuture Tofu Press, which is super easy to use and gives tofu an amazing chewy texture. Another feature I love about this press is that it captures the excess water from the tofu, making cleanup a breeze.

You can get the Tofuture Tofu Press on Amazon for $25.95. Or, if you want to check out a few other presses, read my guide to the best tofu presses here!

If you don’t want to press your tofu, try one of these alternatives:

  1. Instead of using extra-firm tofu, choose a “Super-Firm” or “High-Protein” kind. This tofu is even denser than extra-firm tofu, and it crisps up fairly well without pressing.
  2. Or plan ahead! Freeze extra-firm tofu a few days (or up to a few months) in advance. Defrost it in the microwave, or transfer it to the fridge to thaw overnight. As it thaws, it will release a TON of moisture, almost as if it had been pressed. Just pat it dry and proceed with the recipe!

How to Make Air Fryer Tofu

Once you press your tofu, this recipe is so simple to make!

First, season the tofu. Cut the tofu into cubes, and toss it with the avocado oil, tamari, and sriracha. Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss again.

Cubed tofu in air fryer basket

Then, cook! Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave a little space around each one. If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won’t crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary!

Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it’s crisp and browned around the edges. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of cooking, as the exact cooking time will depend on your specific air fryer. That’s it!

Crispy tofu in air fryer basket with fork

Serving Suggestions

Crispy and flavorful, this air fryer tofu is one of my favorite plant-based proteins to add to a stir fry or grain bowl. Try making your own bowl with the tofu, cooked brown or white rice, roasted veggies like broccoli or Brussels sprouts, and a tasty sauce like my gochujang sauce, peanut sauce, or sesame ginger dressing.

It would also be fantastic in any of these recipes:

How do you like to serve air fryer tofu? Let me know in the comments!

Air fryer tofu recipe

More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes

If you love this air fryer tofu recipe, try one of these tasty air fryer recipes next:

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Air Fryer Tofu

rate this recipe:
5 from 18 votes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
This air fryer tofu is crispy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and packed with delicious savory flavor. The recipe is simple and foolproof - my favorite way to cook tofu at home!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Press the tofu (optional step). Wrap the block of tofu with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Place a heavy cast iron skillet on top and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will help squeeze excess water out of the tofu, which will make it more crisp as it cooks.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  • In a large bowl, combine the oil, tamari, and sriracha. Cut the tofu into cubes, add it to the bowl, and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and toss again.
  • Place the tofu cubes into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary. Air fry for 11 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crisp around the edges. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer. Repeat with any remaining tofu.
  • See the blog post above for ideas to use your air fryer tofu.

28 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Olivia
    02.19.2024

    5 stars
    This is the best and easiest tofu I’ve ever made. Hands down! My kids even ate it and I am in disbelief and probably jinxing it for next time. We ate it topped with the chimichurri from your Everyday book that we got as a gift and it was perfect!

  2. Lauren Beach
    01.23.2024

    5 stars
    This is it! The easiest and crunchiest tofu recipe! It’s going to be a weekly rotation! Thank you!!!!

  3. Danielle
    01.08.2024

    Thank you for the excellent instructions and tips! I’m sort of a newbie with tofu even though I’ve been adding it to my plan of eating for awhile. I use the Pampered Chef Airfryer and it’s great! I asked for THE LOVE and LEMONS Cookbook for Christmas after checking it out from our public library.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.09.2024

      I’m so glad you liked the tofu – I hope you love the book too!

  4. Alyssa
    01.02.2024

    5 stars
    OMG! I don’t know if I’m going to have any left for dinner! They’re so delicious! The most perfect crispy bite! I’ve yet to find a recipe on here fail me. Thank you!!

  5. Gloria
    12.20.2023

    Can I substitute Arrowroot Powder for the cornstarch?

  6. Jan
    11.17.2022

    With the oven-style air fryer (Breville), do you find the liquids drip, causing strong odors? I tried a tofu recipe using sesame oil and the results were…smelly. I really want to love air frying my tofu. ☺️

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      11.18.2022

      Hi Jan, What a bummer! We haven’t had this issue. Does the air fryer have a removable crumb tray at the bottom that you can wash? Maybe that could help?

  7. Kim
    09.17.2022

    5 stars
    I love this recipe, I use it every time I want to eat tofu! I usually like to add oregano and lemon pepper to mine and it’s absolutely amazing 10/10

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.19.2022

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  8. Lilyw
    09.11.2022

    5 stars
    Perfection! This alone justifies the air fryer purchase. The height of ease and yumminess. I omitted the corn starch and still crispy. A go-to keeper. Thank you for this!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.13.2022

      I’m so glad you loved the tofu!

  9. Donna
    09.07.2022

    5 stars
    LOVED this recipe! First time I used the air fryer in my Breville.

  10. Savanna
    07.12.2022

    5 stars
    Can you sub flour for corn starch? I just ran out 🙁

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.16.2022

      Hi Savanna, I haven’t tried flour, if I were out of cornstarch I would just skip it.

  11. Mary L.
    07.07.2022

    5 stars
    Delicious and simple. Thanks for a great recipe!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.08.2022

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  12. Shelley
    03.11.2022

    Having a few friends for Asian dinner and wondering if the tofu can be made the day before? or the morning of? and reheated?
    Or add a sauce to it and reheat?
    Any suggestions are welcomed! Trying to get my friends to like tofu!!

  13. Patti
    01.16.2022

    Is avocado oil better to use in an air fryer? We have olive oil in our spray bottle. But if there’s a benefit to using avocado oil, I’ll get another spray bottle!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.18.2022

      Hi Patti, I use both, avocado is a great oil to use in the air fryer, it’s a great high-heat oil.

  14. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    01.12.2022

    crispy is probably the only way to enjoy tofu, and air fryer makes it easy, so thank you

  15. Purva Hassomal
    01.12.2022

    Love your recipies and knowledge. Thanks for sharing. Don’t have an air fryer but would love to start cooking tofu in a way that’s tasty (ie not soft & gooey) & quick. Any tips ?

  16. Susan Hatano
    01.11.2022

    I am planning to buy an air fryer so I’m
    excited to try these recipes. Which air fryer do you have or recommend?
    Thank you!

  17. Jana
    01.11.2022

    I feel so strongly about how good air fried tofu is I have to leave a comment! I’ve been doing it like this for a few months and it’s amazing to get the same crisp but not have to shallow fry it in oil!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.12.2022

      Ha, we feel the same way! It’s so good!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.