If ever an ingredient wanted a PR makeover, it’s tofu. The recipe for the job? Air Fryer Tofu. This tofu recipe is completely crispy exterior, pleasantly agency inside, and infused with a savory soy maple marinade.

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Air fryer tofu will make a believer out of even its harshest critics.


I’m doggedly satisfied that anybody who says they don’t like tofu hasn’t tried to air fry tofu but. And when you rely your self among the many tofu skeptics—I get it. Tofu might be (and this can be a culinary time period) ick. With out the correct therapy, tofu is mushy and bland. Crispy tofu is the place it’s at.
Whereas you should utilize numerous methods to make tofu crispy (I exploit freezing and boiling on this Crispy Tofu and urgent plus pan-frying on this reader favourite Tofu Stir Fry and Baked Tofu), the simplest methodology that I’ve discovered is utilizing the air fryer.
A hungry sponge, tofu readily absorbs any flavors you add to it. With just a few simple steps, your tofu will end up agency, crispy, and delectable. PLUS! Since air fryer tofu makes use of little or no oil to crisp, it’s a lot more healthy than common deep-fried tofu.
Key Substances
You’ll discover the total listing of components within the recipe card under, however listed here are some notes to bear in mind.
- Further-Agency Tofu. It’s important to make use of extra-firm tofu right here, because it comprises much less water than different varieties and can maintain its form higher throughout cooking.
- Soy Sauce. For those who’d wish to make this tofu gluten-free, swap tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos for the soy sauce.
- Rice Wine Vinegar. Rice wine vinegar provides a contact of candy acidity to the marinade.
- Pure Maple Syrup. Naturally sweetens the marinade and pairs effectively with the soy sauce.
- Spices. Garlic powder and floor ginger are scrumptious spice additions to the marinade.
- Sriracha. A touch of sizzling sauce provides simply the correct amount of warmth. Be happy to make use of extra when you like your tofu spicy.
- Cornstarch. A remaining toss with cornstarch is the important thing to a superbly crispy and golden exterior.
5 Star Evaluate
“Wow… I by no means touch upon recipes… that is sooooo good. I’ll most likely have tofu just a few instances every week now. Thanks for the information!”
— Cashmere —


My Favourite Methods to Use Air Fryer Tofu
The crispy air fryer tofu nuggets you possibly can resist nibbling straight out of the air fryer basket can be utilized in quite a lot of methods.
The BEST crispy air fryer tofu recipe with soy maple marinade and a garlic, ginger, and sriracha seasoning. Strive on salad, ramen, or stir fry!
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- 1 block extra-firm tofu (12 to fifteen ounces) have to be further agency
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons further virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon floor ginger
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha or sizzling sauce of alternative
- 1 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot starch
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Take away the tofu from the bundle and drain. Along with your fingers, gently squeeze out as a lot water as attainable with out breaking or crushing the block. Lay the tofu flat on a chopping board, so the longer edge is in the direction of you, then reduce it into 4 strips. Rotate the strips in order that the broader (reduce sides) are flat towards the chopping board, and reduce them in half once more, so you’ve got 8 strips whole. Minimize the strips crosswise into 1-inch cubes (I find yourself with 5 cubes per strip).
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Line a chopping board or massive plate with a clear tea towel (or related lint-free kitchen towel) or paper towels. Unfold the tofu cubes onto it in a single layer and lay a second towel on high. Press gently however firmly and alter out the towel as wanted. The thought is to take away as a lot water from the tofu as attainable.
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In a small bowl or massive liquid measuring cup, stir collectively the soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger, and sizzling sauce.
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Place the tofu in a shallow baking dish or medium mixing bowl. Pour the soy sauce combination over the tofu, then together with your hand, toss gently to mix. Let the tofu sit for quarter-hour, tossing it once more midway by means of. Don’t fear if just a few bits crumble. These will flip deliciously crispy.
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For those who’d wish to hold the tofu heat between batches, preheat your oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F in line with the producer’s directions (for my air fryer, that’s 3 minutes of preheat time).
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Simply earlier than cooking, sprinkle the corn starch evenly excessive of the tofu and toss to coat.
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Coat the basket of the air fryer with nonstick spray. Add the tofu in a single layer, leaving just a little house across the cubes so they don’t contact and the air can flow into. (Relying upon the scale of your air fryer, you might must cook dinner it in two or three batches.)
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Cook dinner the tofu for 9 minutes. Then slide the basket out, and shake it gently to toss the tofu. Proceed to cook dinner for two to 4 extra minutes, tossing and checking it every minute, till the tofu is crisp and darkish golden. (The time will range based mostly in your air fryer; hold a detailed eye on it in the direction of the tip to make sure it doesn’t burn.) If desired, switch the tofu to the baking sheet and hold it heat within the oven whilst you end the remainder.
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Repeat with remaining tofu, discarding any extra marinade (you probably have some crumbled bits of tofu within the backside of the bowl, you possibly can air fry these too). Get pleasure from!
- TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE: Use tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos rather than the soy sauce.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate tofu in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Recrisp tofu within the air fryer at 375 levels F. It can solely take a couple of minutes, so test usually to stop burning.
- TO FREEZE: The feel of the tofu could change as soon as frozen and thawed, however the taste will stay scrumptious. Place tofu cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze till strong. Freeze the frozen tofu in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 96kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 7gFats: 4gSaturated Fats: 1gPotassium: 177mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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