This recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is healthy, tasty, and so easy to make. Get the deep fried flavor without all of the fat. This recipe is made gluten-free and vegan.

crispy tofu made in air fryer served with broccoli.

Spices, cornstarch, and an air fryer are all you need for crispy tofu! When you air fry tofu using this recipe, it is anything but bland or mushy.

Not only is it crispy but without all the oil or mess from a deep fryer. Cornstarch is the key to a really crispy exterior while the spices give it flavor.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Air Fried Tofu is healthier than pan-frying or deep-frying tofu. You only need a small amount of oil to get that crispy crust. It’s sure to become your family’s favorite way to make tofu.
  • You can serve this air fryer tofu recipe with anything! Top zucchini noodles, rice, roasted vegetables, or quinoa for an easy dinner or make this for a high protein snack.
  • These crispy tofu cubes are gluten-free and vegan and full of plant-based protein.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for crispy tofu
  • Extra-firm tofu holds its shape when sliced and has less water content than silken or soft tofu. It has the best texture for crispy air-fried tofu plus it’s an excellent source of protein.
  • Cooking oil will help the spices and cornstarch stick to the cubes of tofu.
  • Sesame oil has a very distinct sweet and nutty flavor that’s rather strong. A little goes a long way with sesame oil.
  • Spices including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt add lots of flavor to the tofu.
  • Cornstarch is essential to a crispy crust. Since cornstarch has a higher starch content than flour it crisps up even better when fried.

Be sure to see the full recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

how to make crispy breaded tofu in the air fryer.

Step One

Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel or paper towels then press on it to remove the excess water. You can use a heavy pan or cast iron skillet as a tofu press.

This will allow the tofu to get crispy and not soggy.

Step Two

Cut the block of tofu into 1 inch cubes on a cutting board and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Three

Add both oils and toss to combine then add the spices and corn starch. Toss again until coated well.

Step Four

Transfer the tofu cubes to the basket of your air fryer. Put them in a single layer to help promote even cooking with the hot air.

Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a cooking time of 16-20 minutes. Toss them at least once during cooking so they all crisp up nicely.

crispy tofu in air fryer basket.

Step Five

The tofu will be golden brown when it’s finished. Serve warm with veggies, rice, or noodles.

I hope this becomes one of your new favorite tofu recipes! This crispy air fryer tofu recipe tastes similar to deep frying but without all the oil or greasiness.

piece of tofu served with chopsticks.

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to purchase extra-firm tofu for the best results (this recipe won’t work with silken tofu or soft tofu).
  • Feel free to get creative with the seasonings. If you really like the flavor of garlic or onion, you can increase the amount of garlic powder and/or onion powder to 1 teaspoon each.
  • Air fried tofu bites can be served with a dipping sauce like tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), rice vinegar, or coconut aminos.

Recipe FAQs

How long is crispy tofu good for?

Air-fried tofu will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat simply pop them back into the air fryer until hot and crispy.

Can I use silken or soft tofu for this recipe?

Nope you need firm or extra-firm tofu. Be sure to remove as much of the water from the tofu as you can before you air fry it.

Can I use a tofu press to remove the moisture?

Yes, you can use a tofu press before frying to get the water out. But, if you use a block of extra firm tofu, you probably won’t need a press.

two plates of air fryer tofu served with broccoli.

More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like

What to Serve with Air Fryer Tofu!

Instant Pot Coconut Rice Recipe (2-Ingredients)

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Gluten-Free Stir-Fry Sauce

Air Fryer Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables (So Easy)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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crispy tofu with broccoli

Air Fryer Breaded Tofu (Gluten-Free)

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5 from 5 reviews

Print Recipe

This recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is healthy, tasty, and so easy to make. Get the deep fried flavor without all of the fat. This recipe is made gluten-free and vegan.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 16–ounce block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch (use 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch for grain sensitivities)

Instructions

  1. Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel and gently press it to remove the excess water. Alternatively, wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel and place a heavy object on top to press it for about 15 minutes.
  2. Then, transfer the tofu to a cutting board and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Next, place the cubed tofu in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add the cooking oil and sesame oil and toss to combine.
  5. Then, add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and corn starch, and toss to combine.
  6. Transfer your tofu cubes to the basket of your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F for 16-20 minutes, tossing at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
  7. The tofu will turn a golden brown when it’s done. Serve warm, with your choice of cooked rice, veggies, noodles.

Notes

  1. Be sure to purchase extra-firm tofu for the best results (this recipe won’t work with silken tofu or soft tofu).
  2. Feel free to get creative with the seasonings. If you really like the flavor of garlic or onion, you can increase the amount of garlic powder and/or onion powder to 1 teaspoon each.
  3. Air fried tofu can be served with a dipping sauce like tamari or coconut aminos.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 295.6 mg
  • Fat: 9.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.9 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 10.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.