Air Fryer Crispy Tofu is an incredible snack that is easy and quick, thanks to an air fryer. For my birthday, I got an air fryer, and the first thing I learned how to make is these delicious crispy tofu bites. I will admit I have always loved tofu. I think it is something that can take on whatever flavor it is mixed with and can be incredibly tasty. I know critics out there think tofu is just for those plant lovers. Well, hopefully, if you make these Air fryer Crispy Tofu bites, it just may change your mind. It took me less than an hour from start to finish. With very few ingredients, they are perfect for making almost anytime. And yes, they are vegan, too.
The air fryer made these little bites of joy incredibly crispy and delicious. I garnished them for the pictures with some cilantro, but honestly, they taste great all on their own. You could also dip these delicious babies into a sweet Thai chili sauce for a spicy treat. These crispy tofu cubes would also be fantastic on an Asian salad. I was skeptical of marinating them, which adds moisture, but the cornstarch helped in the final crisping of the cubes, and they turned out perfect. I used firm tofu for this recipe. But you can easily use extra firm.
The air fryer I got was the Instant Vortex, made by the same company as Instant Pot. It is fun to use, with all kinds of settings and even a window to see whatever you are frying without opening the drawer. I’m not gonna lie. This machine is enormous. It probably will not be sitting on my counter. But I’ve got a place for it in my pantry. Many people have said it almost replaces a conventional oven, and I can see why. In reality, it is just a small convection oven that can do most things better than a big oven. I’m curious how far I can push that idea! It sure can crisp things up better than my regular oven. I made fish sticks that came out incredibly crisp on the outside but still nice and moist on the inside. I was instantly impressed. And with the crispy tofu, it is amazing.
OK, that is all for now. I am excited to see what else I can make in my new air fryer, and I’ll be making these Air fryer crispy tofu bites often. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy out there. Please think of others in your choices. What you choose to do matters to others. Until next time!
Air Fryer Crispy Tofu are little bites of crispy goodness that are easy and delicious.
- 14- ounce block of firm tofu drained and cut into bite sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Parsley cilantro, or chopped chives for optional garnish
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Quick press the tofu:. Place the cubes evenly in one layer on a flat surface, such as a cutting board lined with paper towels or a clean tea towel.
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Cover with a layer of paper towels or a second tea towel.
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Set a baking sheet on top and then something heavy, like a large book or cast-iron skillet. Press like this for 15 minutes. Or use a tofu press. You are trying to press out as much moisture as possible.
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Add the pressed tofu cubes to a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil and drizzle over them.
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Toss very gently to coat the pieces, then sprinkle on the cornstarch and gently toss to coat. Let the tofu marinate for about 15 minutes or longer if desired (overnight in the fridge is fine).
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Preheat your air fryer to 400°
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When the fryer is at temperature, place the tofu cubes in the drawer in a single layer so the pieces don't touch.
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Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook half the tofu at a time.
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Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the pan after 10 minutes. Cook until the tofu is golden and crispy but not burned. Serve and enjoy!
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Garnish with herbs or serve with a Thai chili sauce if desired.
