Air-Fryer Breaded Tofu: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to make breaded tofu, then look no further than your air fryer! This handy kitchen appliance can help you achieve crispy, golden tofu with minimal effort and oil. The key to getting that perfect texture is a combination of firm tofu, a crispy coating, and the right cooking technique.

First, let's talk about the tofu itself. You'll want to use extra-firm or super-firm tofu to ensure it holds its shape and gets nice and crispy. Pressing the tofu beforehand to remove excess moisture will also improve the final texture.

Now, for the breading. A simple mixture of breadcrumbs, seasonings, and a little oil or milk is all you need. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy coating. As for seasonings, feel free to get creative! Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and nutritional yeast are all tasty options.

Finally, it's time to cook your breaded tofu in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to around 375-400°F. Spray the basket with olive oil or avocado oil to prevent sticking, and arrange the tofu in a single layer with a little space around each piece. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy breaded tofu that can be enjoyed as a snack or added to salads, stir-fries, rice bowls, and more. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and sauces to find your favorite combinations.

Choosing the right tofu

Type of Tofu:

• Opt for extra-firm or firm tofu: The recipe calls for extra-firm tofu, which is ideal as it holds its shape well during cooking and provides a chewy texture. However, firm tofu can also be used and will result in a slightly softer final product.
• Avoid silken tofu: Silken tofu is much softer and more delicate, so it's not suitable for breading and air frying as it may break apart.

Pressing Tofu:

• Pressing tofu removes excess moisture, resulting in a firmer texture and better crispness when cooked. You can press tofu by wrapping it in a kitchen towel or paper towels and placing something heavy on top for 10-20 minutes. Alternatively, use a tofu press for more convenience and better results.
• If you don't want to press your tofu, you can also choose a "Super-Firm" or "High-Protein" variety, which are denser and crisp up well without pressing.
• Another option is to freeze your extra-firm tofu and then defrost it, which will release a lot of moisture, creating a similar effect to pressing.

Organic and Non-GMO:

It is recommended to choose organic and Non-GMO tofu whenever possible, as it ensures the tofu is free from genetically modified ingredients and potentially harmful chemicals.

Slicing Tofu:

When slicing your pressed tofu, aim for a thickness of 1 centimetre (cm) or slightly more to ensure the tofu remains soft on the inside and doesn't dry out during cooking.

In summary, for breaded tofu in an air fryer, select extra-firm or firm tofu, preferably organic and Non-GMO. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, and slice it into pieces around 1 cm thick. Avoid silken tofu, as it won't hold its shape during cooking.

Preparing the tofu

Firstly, select the right type of tofu. For breaded tofu, it is essential to choose extra-firm tofu. Softer varieties like silken tofu are not suitable as they will fall apart and won't achieve the desired crispiness.

Before preparing the tofu, it is recommended to press it to remove excess moisture. This step improves the texture and flavour of the tofu. You can use a tofu press, or simply wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place something heavy on top for about 10-30 minutes.

Once the tofu is pressed, cut it into your desired shape and size. For breaded tofu, rectangular or square pieces, or bite-sized cubes, are common choices. If you want a more rustic look, you can even tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces, which will result in a craggly texture that holds sauces well.

Now, it's time to coat the tofu. Set up a dipping station with a bowl of milk and another bowl with your chosen coating. For a crispy breaded tofu, you can use breadcrumbs, preferably panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch. You can also season the breadcrumbs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, or other herbs and spices of your choice. Dip each tofu piece into the milk, and then into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring all sides are coated evenly.

If you prefer a crispier coating, you can try a batter instead of a milk dip. For this, you can use a mixture of cornstarch, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and oil, with a pinch of your preferred spice blend. Toss the tofu pieces gently in the batter until they are completely coated.

And there you have it! Your tofu is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice, place the tofu pieces in a single layer with a little space between them, and follow the cooking instructions for your chosen recipe.

Making the batter/marinade

The key to achieving crispy tofu in an air fryer is to remove as much moisture as possible. This can be done by pressing the tofu before cooking. Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, place something heavy on top (such as a cast-iron skillet or a heavy book), and let it sit for 10-30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a tofu press, which makes the process easier and gives the tofu a chewier texture.

Once the tofu is pressed, it's time to make the batter or marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine liquid aminos or soy sauce, oil, and your choice of seasonings. You can use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground black pepper, sea salt, or Italian seasoning with dried parsley, oregano, and basil. For a more golden and evenly coated tofu, you can also add nutritional yeast to the batter. Mix all the ingredients until you have a loose and runny batter.

If you want an extra crispy coating, you can also create a breading station. In one bowl, mix milk (regular or plant-based) with your choice of seasonings. In another bowl, prepare breadcrumbs (regular or panko) with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dip each tofu piece into the milk mixture, then into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down so that the crumbs stick to all sides.

Cooking the tofu

Now that you've prepared your tofu and have your air fryer ready to go, it's time to cook!

First, you'll want to season the tofu. Place your tofu cubes in a bowl and toss them with your chosen oil, as well as any other seasonings or sauces you desire. For example, you could use avocado oil, tamari, and sriracha, or olive oil with garlic. Make sure to coat the tofu evenly.

Next, sprinkle on your cornstarch, or chosen alternative like potato or arrowroot starch, and toss the tofu again to ensure an even coating. Cornstarch will give your tofu a deliciously crispy texture.

Now it's time to cook! Place your tofu cubes into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in batches.

Set your air fryer to around 400°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket to ensure the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. Keep an eye on the tofu during the final minutes of cooking, as the exact time will depend on your air fryer.

Once your tofu is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it as it is or with a dip, or add it to a larger dish like a stir fry or rice bowl. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Breaded tofu is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Dipping Sauce: Serve the breaded tofu with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, gochujang sauce, sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce, or Romesco sauce.
• Rice Bowl: Create a rice bowl by adding the tofu to cooked brown or white rice, along with roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts, and a tasty sauce.
• Stir Fry: Stir-fry the tofu with peppers, onion, and pineapple. Add a sweet and sour, orange, or sweet chili sauce, and serve with steamed rice.
• Salad: Breaded tofu can be a great addition to salads, such as a Vegetarian Caesar Salad or a Healthy Caesar Salad.
• Sandwiches: Make a sandwich with the breaded tofu, adding your choice of sauces, vegetables, and other ingredients.
• Snack: Enjoy the breaded tofu as a snack on its own or with a dipping sauce.
• Noodle Dish: Toss the breaded tofu with noodles, vegetables, and a sauce of your choice to create a tasty noodle dish.
• Wrap: Add the breaded tofu to a wrap, along with your choice of sauces, vegetables, and other ingredients.
• Summer Rolls: Include the breaded tofu in summer rolls, providing a crispy texture and a protein boost.
• Rice Paper Rolls: Breaded tofu can be a tasty addition to rice paper rolls, providing a crunchy element to the dish.
• Side Dish: Serve the breaded tofu as a side dish with fries or chips, providing a crispy and satisfying contrast to the softer textures.
• Tofu Nuggets: Cut the breaded tofu into nugget-sized pieces and serve them as a fun and tasty snack or appetizer.
• Curry: Toss the breaded tofu into a curry for a unique texture and flavour.
• Rice Dish: Combine the breaded tofu with rice and vegetables for a hearty and satisfying meal.
• Noodle Stir-Fry: Throw the breaded tofu into a noodle stir-fry for a quick and easy meal.
• Sauce It Up: Add your favourite sauce to the breaded tofu and enjoy it as a simple yet delicious dish.
• Dipping Sauce: Dip the breaded tofu in your favourite sauce, such as gochujang sauce or a peanut sauce.
• Bowl: Create a bowl with the breaded tofu, adding ingredients such as rice, vegetables, and a sauce of your choice.
• Air Fryer Chicken: Breaded tofu can be a great vegetarian alternative to air fryer chicken, providing a similar crispy texture and a blank canvas for sauces.

Frequently asked questions