Air-Fryer Tofu: Crispy, Firm, And Delicious

Cooking tofu in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a crispy texture without using much oil. It's a healthier alternative to deep-frying tofu, and the tofu will still absorb any flavours you add to it. You can use extra-firm tofu, which holds its shape better than other varieties, or medium-firm tofu for a silkier texture. Before cooking, you should press the tofu to remove as much water as possible, then season it with a marinade or a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger, and hot sauce.

Marinating tofu

You can make a marinade by stirring together soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger, and hot sauce. Alternatively, toss the tofu with avocado oil, tamari, and sriracha. Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss again. You can also make a batter by whisking nutritional yeast, cornstarch, soy sauce, oil, and spices into a batter. It should be fairly loose and runny. Tear the tofu into chunks and place them directly into the batter bowl. Using a wide spatula, gently toss the tofu in the batter until it’s entirely coated.

Pressing tofu

One way to press tofu is to slice it into rectangles and place them between layers of paper towels or clean tea towels. You can then place a heavy object, such as a book or a pan, on top to help press out the moisture. It is important to press the tofu as evenly as possible to ensure consistent results.

Another method is to freeze the tofu in advance. This causes the tofu to release a lot of moisture as it thaws, so you can simply pat it dry and proceed with the recipe. This method is a good option if you want to plan ahead, as tofu can be frozen for several months.

Once the tofu is pressed and dry, it is ready to be seasoned and coated before air frying. Removing the excess moisture helps the tofu to absorb the flavours of your chosen marinade or seasoning, resulting in a more flavourful dish.

Seasoning tofu

Tofu is a hungry sponge, absorbing any flavours you add to it. To season tofu, start by cutting it into cubes or rectangles. Then, toss it with your choice of seasoning. You can use a marinade, or a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger, and hot sauce. If you want to make your tofu gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos. You can also add avocado oil, sriracha, and cornstarch to the mixture. Toss the tofu gently to combine, and let it sit for 15 minutes, tossing it again halfway through.

Pat the tofu dry with a paper towel. The drier the tofu, the crispier it will be. Then, coat the tofu in cornstarch and your choice of seasoning. You can use nutritional yeast, spices, or a mixture of both. Toss the tofu in the batter until it’s entirely coated.

Battering tofu

First, you'll want to press the tofu to remove as much water as possible. You can do this by placing the tofu between two towels and pressing gently but firmly, changing out the towel as needed. Alternatively, you can freeze your tofu a few days in advance and then defrost it, as this will release a lot of moisture.

Next, you'll want to cut your tofu into the desired shape. You can cut it into cubes, rectangles, or tear it into chunks.

Now it's time to make the batter! In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together your desired seasonings and liquids to create a batter. A simple batter can be made with cornstarch, soy sauce, oil, and spices. You can also add nutritional yeast, vinegar, syrup, garlic powder, ginger, hot sauce, or tamari to taste. The batter should be fairly loose and runny.

Once your batter is ready, it's time to coat the tofu. Place the tofu pieces directly into the batter bowl and use a wide spatula or your hands to gently toss and coat the tofu entirely. Make sure each piece is well coated before placing it in the air fryer.

And that's it! You're now ready to cook your battered tofu in the air fryer for a delicious, crispy treat. Enjoy!

Cooking tofu

Before cooking, press the tofu to remove as much water as possible. You can do this by wrapping the tofu in a towel and pressing gently but firmly, changing the towel as needed. If you have time, you can also freeze the tofu a few days in advance, then defrost it in the microwave or leave it to thaw overnight in the fridge. As it thaws, it will release a lot of moisture, so you can skip the pressing step.

Once the tofu is pressed and dry, cut it into cubes or rectangles and season it. You can use a marinade or a dry rub. For a marinade, mix together soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger and hot sauce, and toss the tofu in this mixture. For a dry rub, mix cornstarch with nutritional yeast, spices and seasoning, and coat the tofu in this mixture.

Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each piece. Spray with cooking spray or oil and cook until crispy.

Frequently asked questions