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No cornstarch is needed to make this flavorful air fryer tofu! Drying the tofu well before marinading in a next-level seasoning blend is all it takes to get crispy tofu in your air fryer (no cornstarch needed here – just five simple ingredients).
Pair it with my Marry Me Chickpeas or toss them on a Veggie Wrap for a complete meal!
save this recipe!It’s the conundrum every tofu-eater has had at some point…“How do I make my tofu taste better?”
Well wonder no more, friends! I’ve unlocked the secret to the very best tofu…air frying! I’ve been cooking tofu in the air fryer multiple times per week for years, so you can be sure this tofu will turn out perfectly for you!
Not to be dramatic but this air fryer tofu is life-changing
- It’s a bit crispy on the outside but pillowy on the inside
- It doesn’t rely on cornstarch to make it crispy (I’ve got three tricks that help give it that perfect texture!)
Reader rating
“I started an air fryer tofu recipe before realizing I was out of corn starch…so I landed here. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of crisp I got without a starch! Easy and delicious!” —Lola
Here’s what you’ll need
This crispy tofu has two main components: the tofu (of course) and the marinade (big yum). Jump to the recipe card for measurements!
- Tofu: Use extra-firm tofu, which has more water squeezed out of it than the soft or silken varieties. Less water = more crisp!
- Soy sauce: Soy (or tamari for gluten-free) adds a rich and salty flavor that levels up your tofu. Feel free to use a low-sodium soy sauce.
- Oil: We’ll use a blend of sesame and olive oil to add flavor and enhance the crispiness. I wouldn’t recommend cutting out the oil completely, but you could use sprayable oil if you’re looking to reduce fat.
- Garlic: I use this for quick and simple flavor in the marinade. Feel free to go crazy with it and at your own blend of spices or herbs!
Secrets to air fryer tofu
There are actually three secrets to making crispy tofu without cornstarch or bread crumbs.
Secret 1 – Press the tofu: Pressing your tofu before cooking with it removes excess moisture (which would otherwise make for soggy, not-at-all-crispy tofu). I recently got this tofu press and absolutely love it, but you can also press your tofu by setting a heavy pan (like a cast iron) on top of your tofu and letting the moisture drain out.
Secret 2 – Air frying: My cooking obsession and the ultimate way to cook anything that needs to be crispy, air frying! I use this air fryer which has held up well with the many (many) kitchen experiments I’ve thrown in it.
Secret 3 – Freeze your tofu: This is optional but highly recommended. Freezing and then thawing your tofu before cooking with it improves the texture and allows it to soak up even more flavor from the marinade!
Want to skip pressing?
You can skip pressing the tofu altogether by buying vacuum-packed tofu! This is the firmest variety and the pressing has already been done for you. Just cut into tofu cubes, flavor, and fry!
The Very Best Air Fryer Tofu (No Cornstarch!)
Ingredients
- 1 16-oz block extra-firm tofu, 453 g
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 30 mL
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil*, 15 mL
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, 15 mL
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Press: Press 1 16-oz block extra-firm tofu for at least 15 minutes, using either a tofu press or by setting a heavy pan on top of it and letting the moisture drain. When finished, cut tofu into bite-sized blocks and transfer to a bowl.
- Flavor: Combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil*, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and 1 clove garlic (minced) in a small bowl. Drizzle over tofu and toss to coat. Let tofu marinate for an additional 15 minutes.
- Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Add tofu blocks to your air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to promote even cooking.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
I got impatient with not enough pressing and drying of the tofu so it did crumble a bit but nevertheless it turned out soo amazing & tasty! The flavours were great. paired it with garlic salmon & voila perfect lunch!
So happy to hear it! Enjoy! 😀
Not sure what happened, I feel like i followed the recipe properly, but I had 6 minutes left on the time and they somehow burned. Not at all crispy.
Sorry to hear it, Julie! Every air fryer is a little different, so you may just need to reduce the temperature a bit next time.
this was yummy. used chili garlic paste instead of the garlic. will make again
Yummm I’ll have to try with some chili garlic! 😀
This turned out delicious.
Unfortunately I. didn’t have extra-firm tofu but it still works with firm if you cook it for a little longer.
I added some franks hot sauce to the marinade but overall the recipe alone is delicious 🙂
So happy to hear that it worked with firm tofu, enjoy! 😀
I made this per the recipe, pressed the tofu for 20 minutes, marinated 20 minutes
.. I dont like it at all. No flavor, just awful. Crispy yes, flavorful, not at all. Wasteful.
Sorry to hear you didn’t like it, Janet!
I am late into the Air Frying phenom, and honestly had given up on crispy tofu in a pan or oven as it never came out right. Tried this recipe and OMG perfectly crisp on the outside, still a bit tender on the inside – I am so hooked! I was ill-prepared and just sprayed the pressed tofu with cooking spray, next time will season it. Thank you for this recipe!!!
YAY! Welcome to the air frying train, where everything is more delicious! 😛
Perfect! Love how it came out. So simple. Cut the oils to 1.5 tsp each, and they still came out great. Thank you!
So happy to hear it, Barbara! Enjoy! 😀
This didn’t work at all. Tofu was still soft after 15 minutes, not crunchy, by the time it was crunchy it was chewy.
Sorry to hear it, Eva! Thanks for letting us know.
Yummy thanks. Tripled the recipe so I could meal prep
we’ve had an air fryer for years but i never tried tofu in it until today. this recipe is absolute perfection. thank you so much
YAY! So happy to hear it, Lisa! 😀