Crispy Air Fryer Tofu (Without Oil)
This delicious Air Fryer Tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, all without using any oil. It’s ready in only 15 minutes and is a healthy, plant-based option that’s full of flavor and perfect for adding protein to salads, bowls, or stir-fries!
Add this crispy tofu to vegan stir-fries or serve as an appetizer with a dipping sauce like my homemade oil-free sweet & sour sauce. I’ve listed lots of other dipping sauce options below. If you love umami flavor, try my easy miso sauce too because it’s good on everything!
An air fryer is a must-have kitchen tool for making healthier, crispy dishes without the need for oil. I know the instruction booklet says to add a little oil, but you don’t need to. Food cooks quickly and evenly, making it perfect for everything from veggies like my oil-free air fryer baked potatoes to this tofu while reducing fat and calories. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to get an air fryer, it’s time to just DO IT!
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Oil-Free and Healthy – This crispy air fryer tofu is made without any oil, making it a low-fat, nutritious option perfect for clean eating.
- Perfectly Crispy Texture – The air fryer creates a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the tofu tender inside, giving it a satisfying crunch without deep frying.
- Quick and Easy to Make – Ready in minutes, this air fryer tofu is a time-saving solution for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Versatile and Flavorful – Customize the seasoning to suit your taste, and enjoy this tofu in salads, wraps, stir-fries, or as a protein-packed snack!
Ingredients you will need
- Tofu- Extra firm tofu works best for air fryer tofu because it holds its shape well and delivers the crispiest results. Its dense texture allows it to withstand the air frying process without falling apart, and it absorbs marinades and seasonings more effectively.
- Soy sauce- Adds a rich, umami flavor that enhances the tofu’s natural taste. It also helps the tofu absorb seasonings, making it more flavorful.
- Thickener- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder is used to make air fryer tofu because it helps create a crispy, golden-brown exterior. When lightly coated on the tofu, cornstarch absorbs moisture and forms a crunchy texture as it cooks, giving the tofu a satisfying crispiness without the need for oil. It’s key to achieving that perfect crunch in air-fried dishes.
- Seasonings- I use garlic powder and onion powder to season my tofu. Other great options are smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and turmeric.
Tips for freezing tofu
If you want to make tofu firmer and have it last longer, freeze it ahead of time. When ready to use in a stir fry or other dish, defrost completely by either placing it in the refrigerator for 24+ hours or submerging it in a large bowl of very warm water. If submerging, it will take an hour or so and will require changing the water a couple of times to make sure it stays very warm.
Once defrosted, open the container and drain out excess water. You will notice that the molecular structure of the tofu has actually changed. It is much firmer and more sponge-like. It can now be handled with ease and the water can be squeezed out of it using your hands, just like wringing out a sponge. Check out my cooking demo of Breakfast Tofu Scramble to see how easy it is.
How to make air fryer tofu
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Begin by draining and pressing the water from the firm tofu. I like to freeze mine ahead of time because it makes it even firmer, but freezing is optional.
Two options for draining and pressing tofu
- Traditional way – Slit the package and drain excess water over a sink. Next, place the tofu block in a tofu press if you have one. Allow 15-30 minutes for pressing. I purchased this tofu press and absolutely love it. No more cast iron pan pressing for me. This is much easier and cleaner!
- DIY way – Place tofu on an absorbent surface such as layered paper towels or a dishtowel. Use another dish towel or paper towel to place on top of the block and top with a heavy plate or cast iron pan. Continue to drain under pressure for approximately 30 minutes.
STEP #2: Marinating the tofu is completely optional, but it does add more flavor to the finished product, so I highly recommend it.
Dice the tofu into 1″ cubes, mist it with soy sauce or coconut aminos, and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or longer.
STEP #3: Before cooking, sprinkle the tofu with garlic powder, onion powder, and cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Coat well by stirring the cubes around a bit.
STEP #4: Place in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F for 15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, stop and shake the air fryer basket to redistribute.
STEP #5: Air fryer tofu is incredibly versatile and can be served in stir-fries, salads, or as a protein-packed filling for tacos and wraps. It’s also perfect on its own as a snack or paired with rice, noodles, or dipping sauces for a complete meal!
Dipping Sauces
These delicious oil-free dipping sauces are perfect for enhancing the flavor of air fryer tofu. They add a burst of savory or sweet notes without adding extra fat, making your tofu dishes even more enjoyable and healthy! These are some of my favorite dipping sauces for air fryer tofu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Extra-firm tofu is ideal for air frying because it has a dense texture that holds up well during cooking. It becomes crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside, making it perfect for air fryer recipes.
If your air fryer tofu isn’t crispy, it might be due to excess moisture or not enough cornstarch. Ensure the tofu is well-drained and coated lightly with cornstarch before air frying. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
Store leftover air fryer tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place it back in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore its crispiness.
Yes, you can freeze air fryer tofu. Let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer for best results.
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Air Fryer Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 oz block of firm to extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce amino acids, or coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons corn starch or arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Drain and press the water from the firm tofu. I like to freeze mine ahead of time because it makes it even more firm. For detailed instructions on how I do that, check out the article above.
- Marinating the tofu is completely optional, but it does add more flavor to the finished product, so I highly recommend it.Dice the tofu into 1" cubes, mist with soy sauce or coconut aminos, and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or longer.
- Before cooking, sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Coat well by stirring the cubes around a bit.
- Place in the air fryer, set temperature to 400°F for 15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, stop and shake the air fryer basket to redistribute.
- Air fryer tofu is incredibly versatile and can be served in stir-fries, salads, or as a protein-packed filling for tacos and wraps. It’s also perfect on its own as a snack or paired with rice, noodles, or dipping sauces for a complete meal!
- I have some great dipping sauce options that I like to use listed below.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
LOVE air fried tofu! I never press my tofu anymore, though, because I prefer it “puffier” like the fried-in-oil version. Looking forward to trying your coating recipe. ?
Where did you get the sprayer for your coconut aminos bottle?
Hi Pam- Ha! I just buy the household sprayers at Walmart and use them on my amino bottle, lime juice, and juice. It’s super handy!
@Terri Edwards,
Is there a food grade, BPA free, trigger sprayer that you know of? Thank you!
Hi Gail- As best I can tell, this link has BPA-free spray bottles which would hopefully mean that the trigger sprayer that goes with it is as well. This is an affiliate link to it on amazon. https://amzn.to/3rK2vZd