This extra crispy tofu is a healthy, protein-packed, and incredibly flavorful meal.

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Tofu can sometimes get a bad rap for being bland and boring, but trust me, when it’s cooked right, it can be a flavor bomb. And let me tell you, the air fryer is the perfect tool to achieve that crispy, golden perfection.

First things first, we need to press out the excess moisture from the tofu. This will help it crisp up in the air fryer. You can use a tofu press, or simply place the tofu between two clean dish towels and weigh it down with something heavy, like a cast iron skillet or a few cans of beans. Press for at least 30 minutes. 

Once the tofu is pressed, drain any excess liquid and cut it into cubes. I like to cut mine about 1-inch thick.

Next make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and olive oil. Then stir in the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Add the tofu cubes to the marinade and toss to coat. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, but the longer the better. Then roll the tofu in the cornstarch.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If your basket is crowded, you may need to cook the tofu in batches.

Air fry the tofu for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Serve your Air Fryer Extra Crispy Tofu immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. I love it with a simple soy sauce and sesame oil mixture, but peanut sauce, sweet and chili sauce, or even ranch dressing would also be delicious.

Tips

• For extra crispy tofu, make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give the tofu pieces plenty of space so they can air crisp properly.
• If your tofu isn’t browning as much as you like, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
• Feel free to get creative with the seasonings! This recipe is just a starting point. You can try adding other spices like cumin, chili powder, or ginger.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven until crispy.

Recipe

Air Fryer Extra Crispy Tofu

1 block extra firm tofu

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: sesame seeds, chopped scallions, for garnish

Press out the excess moisture from the tofu. You can use a tofu press, or simply place the tofu between two clean dish towels and weigh it down with something heavy, like a cast iron skillet or a few cans of beans. Press for at least 30 minutes. 

Once the tofu is pressed, drain any excess liquid and cut it into cubes. I like to cut mine about 1-inch thick.

In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and olive oil. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Add the tofu cubes to the marinade and toss to coat. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, but the longer the better. Then roll the cubes in the cornstarch

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry the tofu for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.