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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 followed your recipe to the letter and it most definitely is not like fried with cornstarch.
Really tasty and easy, thank you for the recipe <3
I got FlavorWave Turbo air fryer I don’t know how to use. Search for user’s manual video only let me choose how to cook animal flesh. Made my skin crawl. Are there any videos how to use the FlavorWave Turbo air fryer using only vegan food?
I’m not sure about that particular model, but most air fryers work similar to each other, so you could probably make any of these vegetarian recipes in it!
I just used olive oil, garlic powder and salt. Delish!
I’m new to the world of tofu and have been experimenting with different ways to prepare it. I marinaded my tofu in soy and rice vinegar and followed your directions on cook time and WOW! These turned out amazing. Thank you so much. So far my favorite (and easiest) method to cook tofu.
Sorry but this was really bad. Like really, really bad. I wanted it to be good so desperately but it simply was not. The tofu is not crispy, it’s just really dry but also rubbery at the same time. And now I have to clean out my air fryer so it doesn’t smell like soy sauce for eternity. It’s so bad I’m laughing while I chew the rubbery tofu squares. If you’re reading this, please save yourself the tragedy and just coat your tofu with flour, salt, pepper, garlic, and ginger and pan fry it.
Wow I did not experience that at all mine was terrific. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
You must have not followed the recipe. This is my go-to way of making tofu and it comes out perfect every time!
I fixed this for dinner tonight. I used less than half the oil, (only 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil) and it turned out awesome. My air fryer took 18 minutes. My picky granddaughter ate all 6 pieces of hers and asked if anyone didn’t want theirs. Thank you!
You can microwave your tofu pieces for ~3 minutes. This will remove most of the excess water, and then air fry. You will not need to use a tofu press in this process. You have to use firm or extra firm tofu.
I normally make crispy baked tofu in the oven with soy sauce, olive oil and cornstarch. This recipe was way better. Question though. Do you use both olive oil AND sesame oil? I assume so. That’s what I did and it was great. 10/10. Will use in stir fry tonight. Thanks.
Yes I do use both! The addition of sesame oil is for flavor 😀
Hi Sarah, I’ve attempted and failed many times pan frying tofu cubes to achieve crispy tofu. It appears that I’m not the only one left disappointed by the pan method even tried various types of food startch. The air fryer method rocks, thanks for the instructions. Found using the freeze / thaw method for my tofu saved the need for pressing and achieved better results.
This is great, can make a lot of substitutes, sriracha, teriyaki sesame seeds ect.