Air Fryer Tofu: How Long To Fry?

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many ways, but one of the best methods to achieve a crispy texture is to use an air fryer. Air fryers are small, high-powered countertop convection ovens that cook food as if it were being fried, but with air. This technique results in delicious, crispy tofu in just 10 to 15 minutes.

To make tofu in an air fryer, start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispier texture. Cut the tofu into cubes and coat them with a simple mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce or tamari, and sesame oil or another type of oil. You can also add various spices and seasonings to enhance the flavour.

Place the tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece. Set the air fryer to a temperature between 370°F and 400°F, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Once the tofu is golden and crispy, it's ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it as-is or with your favourite sauce, or add it to bowls, salads, or stir-fries for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Tofu preparation: press, tear, or cut tofu into cubes

There are several ways to prepare tofu for air frying, and the method you choose will depend on the texture you want to achieve. Pressing tofu involves removing excess moisture, which gives it a chewier, firmer texture and makes it less likely to crumble when cooked. If you want to achieve a crispy texture, pressing the tofu beforehand is ideal.

Pressing Tofu

To press tofu, you can use a tofu press or a simple kitchen towel/paper towel method. A tofu press is a small gadget that evenly applies pressure to the tofu without cracking or squishing it. It also collects the excess water released by the tofu. Here's how to use a tofu press:

• Place the block of tofu in the drainage container, then nest it inside the larger container to capture the released water.
• Put the press on top and attach the rubber bands to the hooks on the sides. You can start with the first or second hook and move down to the third hook halfway through the pressing time.
• Close the hooks to begin pressing. Leave it on the counter for 20-30 minutes, or put it in the fridge to press overnight.

If you don't have a tofu press, you can follow these steps:

• Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place it on a flat surface. You can also place it on a rimmed baking sheet to capture all the excess liquid.
• Put a cast-iron skillet on top of the wrapped tofu. If you don't have a skillet, use a small cutting board, and place a heavy object on top, such as a heavy book or canned goods.
• Press for at least 30 minutes before cutting and cooking.

Tearing or Cutting Tofu

Once the tofu is pressed and dried, you can either tear or cut it into cubes or slices. Tearing the tofu by hand will result in irregular chunks with craggy bits that hold onto sauces better than flat surfaces created by knives. However, cutting the tofu into uniform cubes will ensure even cooking and browning.

After preparing the tofu, it's essential to let it dry thoroughly before placing it in the air fryer. This step ensures that the tofu gets crispy and browned during cooking.

Tofu coating: cornstarch, arrowroot starch, or a mixture of spices and sauces

Tofu can be coated in a variety of ways to add flavour and texture before air frying. Cornstarch, arrowroot starch, or a mixture of spices and sauces can be used to coat tofu before air frying.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a popular choice for coating tofu before air frying. It helps to draw out excess liquid and gives the tofu a crispy exterior. To use cornstarch, simply toss the cubed tofu in cornstarch after pressing and before adding any liquid aminos or seasonings.

Arrowroot Starch

Arrowroot starch is another option for coating tofu. Like cornstarch, it helps to add a crispy texture to the tofu. Arrowroot starch is usually tossed with the tofu after the tofu has been marinated in a sauce or seasoning.

Mixture of Spices and Sauces

A variety of spices and sauces can be used to coat tofu before air frying. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground black pepper, sea salt, light soy sauce or liquid aminos, and sesame oil. These ingredients can be mixed together and tossed with the tofu to add flavour and a slight crispiness to the exterior.

When using any of these coating methods, it is important to ensure that the tofu is pressed and cubed before coating, and that the air fryer is preheated to the appropriate temperature (around 375-400°F) for even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer, but on average, tofu takes around 10-15 minutes to cook, with the basket being shaken after 5 minutes to prevent sticking.

Air fryer temperature: 370-400°F

Cooking tofu in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy and tasty dish. Here is a step-by-step guide for cooking tofu in an air fryer at 370-400°F:

Preparation:

Before cooking the tofu, it is important to press and remove any excess moisture. This can be done by wrapping the tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels and placing a heavy cast-iron skillet on top for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a tofu press, which makes the process easier and captures the excess water.

Marinade:

Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes and transfer them to a bowl. Prepare a marinade by mixing soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and/or olive oil. You can also add other ingredients like maple syrup, sriracha, garlic, or spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, or garlic powder. Drizzle the marinade over the tofu and toss gently to coat. Let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight if desired.

Cornstarch Coating:

For an extra crispy coating, sprinkle cornstarch over the marinated tofu and toss again to ensure an even coating. Cornstarch is the key to achieving a crunchy texture.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F. Place the tofu cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not crowded and have a little space around each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in batches.

Cook the tofu for about 10-15 minutes at 370-400°F, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. The tofu is ready when it is golden and crispy. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your specific air fryer.

Serving:

The crispy tofu is now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it as-is or add your favorite sauce for extra flavor. It goes well with a loaded green salad, meal prep bowls, vegan stir-fry, or even as a crunchy addition to a buddha bowl.

Tips:

• For gluten-free tofu, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• If you don't have sesame oil, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil, but the nutty flavor of sesame oil enhances the taste.
• You can experiment with different spices and seasonings to create your own unique flavor combinations.
• For an extra crispy texture, freeze the tofu before cooking.

Air fryer time: 10-15 minutes

Air-frying tofu is a quick and easy way to achieve a crispy, golden texture without the need for deep-frying. The air fryer circulates hot air around the tofu, cooking it evenly and giving it a delicious crunchy exterior while keeping the inside tender.

The time needed to air fry tofu will depend on the desired level of crispiness and the specific air fryer being used. As a general guideline, cooking tofu in an air fryer at a temperature of 375-400°F for 10-15 minutes should be sufficient.

Step 1: Prepare the Tofu

Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the tofu achieve a crispy texture. You can use a tofu press or place the tofu block between layers of paper towels, then put something heavy on top to press it. Leave it for about 15-30 minutes.

Once pressed, cut the tofu into cubes or tear it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Marinate

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your tofu with a marinade of your choice. A simple marinade can be made with liquid aminos or soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and ground black pepper. You can also add cornstarch to the marinade, which will help create an extra crispy coating on the tofu.

Toss the tofu gently to ensure each piece is well coated, then let it sit in the marinade for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavours.

Step 3: Air Fry

Place the tofu pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they have some space around each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in batches.

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 375-400°F and air fry for 10-15 minutes. After about 10 minutes, shake the basket to ensure even cooking, and continue cooking until the tofu is golden and crispy.

Step 4: Serve

Once the tofu is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes.

Air fryer tofu is now ready to be enjoyed! It can be served as-is, tossed in a sauce, added to stir-fries, salads, rice bowls, or used as a tasty plant-based protein topping.

Feel free to experiment with different spices and sauces to find your favourite tofu flavour combinations!

Tofu sauce: barbecue, bang bang, orange, or peanut sauce

Tofu Sauce Ideas: Barbecue, Bang Bang, Orange, or Peanut Sauce

Barbecue Sauce

This easy BBQ tofu recipe is packed with bold, sweet, savoury, and smoky flavours. You can make your own sauce using pantry basics like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, tamari or soy sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Alternatively, you can use your favourite store-bought barbecue sauce to save time.

Bang Bang Sauce

This indulgent sauce is made with vegan mayonnaise, sambal oelek, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and sriracha sauce. It's a sweet and spicy sauce that's perfect for drizzling over crispy tofu cubes.

Orange Sauce

For a tangy and citrusy sauce, you can make a homemade orange sauce by sautéing garlic, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes in a pan with sesame oil, then adding orange juice, tamari, vinegar, and orange zest. Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch and water slurry.

Peanut Sauce

For a creamy and satisfying sauce, you can make a peanut sauce by mixing vegetable broth, peanut butter, garlic, coconut sugar or another sweetener, and soy sauce or tamari. Adjust the ingredients to your taste and feel free to add other ingredients like curry powder or vegetables.

Cooking Tofu in an Air Fryer

When cooking tofu in an air fryer, it's important to use extra-firm tofu and avoid silken tofu, which will yield the wrong texture and break apart. Cut the tofu into cubes and season or marinate as desired. Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 400°F for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Enjoy experimenting with these tofu sauce ideas and customising them to your taste preferences!

Frequently asked questions