Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 1 block (14 oz / 400 g) extra-firm tofu; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; Optional: sweet chili or peanut sauce, for serving

Golden, crackly-crisp air fryer tofu cubes that stay creamy inside — perfect for bowls, stir-fries, and salads.

By Adarsh · June 10, 2026

Crispy golden air fryer tofu cubes over rice with sesame and green onion

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 14 min
Total: 29 min
Serves: 3 servings

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If tofu has ever let you down, this is the recipe that changes your mind. Pressing out the moisture and tossing the cubes in cornstarch gives air fryer tofu a golden, crackly shell with a creamy center — ready for rice bowls, noodles, salads, or dunking straight into sauce.

Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes (wrap in paper towels and set something heavy on top), then cut into 1-inch cubes.
2
Toss the cubes gently with soy sauce and oil, then sprinkle with cornstarch, garlic powder, and pepper and toss again until evenly coated.
3
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the tofu in a single layer with space between cubes.
4
Air fry for 12–14 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp on all sides.
5
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or over rice bowls and noodles.

Notes & Tips

Extra-firm tofu is essential — softer varieties fall apart. The cubes crisp further as they cool for a minute, and leftovers re-crisp beautifully with 3 minutes back in the air fryer.