Marianne Martinez
Tofu is a healthy, versatile source of protein that can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 10 minutes. Air-frying tofu is a quick and easy way to achieve a crispy exterior and a chewy, silky, or craggly interior, depending on your preference. The cooking time will depend on the specific air fryer model and whether the tofu has been pressed, frozen, or thawed beforehand.
How long to cook tofu in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tofu type | Firm or extra-firm |
| Press tofu | Yes, to remove excess moisture |
| Tofu coating | Corn starch, oil, and seasoning |
| Air fryer temperature | 390–400°F |
| Cooking time | 10–15 minutes |
| Tofu texture | Crispy and chewy |
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What You'll Learn
Pressing tofu before cooking
There are several ways to press tofu. One way is to use a tofu press, such as the Tofuture Tofu Press, which is easy to use and captures the excess water, making cleanup easier. Alternatively, you can wrap the tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy cast-iron skillet on top for 30 minutes to help squeeze out the moisture. You can also place the tofu between two cutting boards or plates and put a heavy book on top. Freezing the tofu before pressing it is another option, as this creates pockets for the marinade to soak into.
If you don't want to press your tofu, you can simply pat it dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel before cooking. Some people even prefer the tender, juicy result of unpressed tofu. It's also important to note that some tofu is marketed as "pre-pressed", so be sure to check the packaging before pressing.
Once your tofu is pressed and cubed, you can place it in a medium-sized bowl and add liquid aminos and toss to coat. Then, add in your desired seasoning ingredients, such as oil, tamari, and sriracha, and toss again to combine. Finally, place the tofu in your air fryer in a single layer, leaving a little space around each piece, and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing or flipping halfway through.
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Seasoning and coating tofu
Once the tofu is pressed, cut it into cubes. The next step is to season and coat the tofu. Place the tofu cubes in a medium-sized bowl and add liquid aminos, tossing to coat. You can also use light soy sauce or coconut aminos. Then, add in your choice of seasonings and toss to combine. Suggested seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground black pepper, sea salt, dried parsley, oregano, and dried basil.
For an extra crispy coating, cornstarch is the secret weapon. Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss to coat evenly. You can also add a little oil, such as avocado oil or sesame oil, to enhance the crispiness and flavour. Make sure to toss the tofu well to ensure an even coating.
If you want to add even more flavour, you can marinate the tofu before coating it with cornstarch. Create a marinade with soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sriracha. Toss the tofu in the marinade and let it sit for about 15 minutes before proceeding with the cornstarch coating.
Now your tofu is seasoned and coated, it's ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Arranging tofu in the air fryer
Firstly, you should press your tofu to remove excess moisture. This will help your tofu cook up extra-firm and crispy. You can do this by wrapping the tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels and placing a heavy cast-iron skillet on top for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a tofu press, which is a quicker and easier method.
Once your tofu is pressed, cut it into cubes. The next step is to season your tofu. Place the tofu cubes in a medium-sized bowl and add liquid aminos, tossing to coat. You can then add in your choice of seasoning and oil, tossing again to combine. For a chewier texture, you can also add cornstarch. Ensure your tofu is well coated before placing it in the air fryer.
When your tofu is prepared, arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave a little space around each tofu cube so that they aren't crowded. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the tofu in two batches. Now, you're ready to cook your tofu!
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Air fryer temperature and time
The ideal temperature and time for cooking tofu in an air fryer depend on the desired texture and the specific air fryer model being used. For crispy tofu, a temperature of around 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes is recommended, with some sources specifying 11 to 15 minutes and others suggesting 400°F for 10 minutes. Shaking the basket after 5 minutes and tossing the tofu halfway through cooking can help ensure even cooking.
It is worth noting that every model of air fryer performs differently, and the cooking time may vary depending on the desired level of crispiness. Some sources suggest checking on the tofu periodically to ensure it doesn't over-brown, and adding extra cooking time in 1-2 minute increments as needed. Additionally, pressing the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture can impact the cooking time, with longer pressing times potentially resulting in faster cooking.
For those who prefer a lower temperature, one source suggests cooking tofu at 390°F for 6 minutes on each side until crispy, which takes a total of 12 minutes.
It is important to note that the tofu should not be overcrowded in the air fryer basket, and it may be necessary to cook in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer tofu is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Dipping Sauce
Tofu cooked in an air fryer can be served as bite-sized nuggets with a dipping sauce on the side. You can use your favourite sauce, such as curry, peanut sauce, or a spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, chile sauce, garlic, and sriracha.
Salad
Air fryer tofu is a great addition to a salad, providing a crispy and tasty contrast to the fresh vegetables. Try it in a Ramen Salad or a salad with a peanut sauce dressing.
Stir Fry
Add some extra crunch to your stir fry by tossing in some air fryer tofu. It goes well with a variety of stir fry sauces, such as a soy maple marinade with garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
Buddha Bowl
Create a Buddha Bowl with air fryer tofu, roasted vegetables, quinoa, and avocado. You can also add a tasty sauce like gochujang, peanut sauce, or sesame ginger dressing.
Rice Bowl
Serve the tofu over rice with some sliced scallions and sesame seeds sprinkled on top. You can also add a sauce, such as a spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, chile sauce, garlic, and sriracha, or a gochujang sauce.
Other Ideas
Air fryer tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some other ideas:
- Kimchi Brown Rice Bliss Bowls – Use it instead of grilled tempeh.
- Cauliflower Rice Kimchi Bowls, Cashew Broccoli Soba Noodles, or Sesame Noodle Bowls – Sub the air-fried tofu for baked tofu.
- Veggie Power Bowl – Use it instead of a soft-boiled egg.
- Adzuki Bean Bowls – It’d be a great replacement for the adzuki beans.
- Asian Chicken Wraps – Swap it for the chicken and add a Thai peanut sauce.
- Sandwiches or wraps – Add some extra protein and crunch to your lunch.
- As a snack – Enjoy the tofu nuggets straight out of the air fryer as a crispy and delicious snack.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the model of the air fryer and the texture of tofu used. Firm or extra-firm tofu is recommended. It is also advised to press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture, which will help achieve a crispier texture. Cooking times range from 10 to 15 minutes at 400°F.
To get tofu crispy in an air fryer, it is recommended to press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture. Tofu can be pressed with a tofu press, a cast-iron skillet, or by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and weighing it down with a flat object. It is also suggested to toss the tofu in a small amount of oil and corn starch before placing it in the air fryer.
It is recommended to cook tofu in an air fryer at 400°F. However, some sources suggest cooking at 390°F or simply using the highest temperature setting available on your air fryer.
