Tofu has a reputation for being bland and soggy — but the air fryer changes that completely. With a quick press and a light coating, you get crispy, golden tofu in 15 minutes with no deep frying. Here's exactly how.
Key takeaways
Q: How long does tofu take in the air fryer?
A: Air fry tofu at 200°C (400°F) for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp on all sides.
Q: How do you make tofu crispy?
A: Press out the water, toss the cubes in a little cornflour and oil, and don't overcrowd the basket. That's the whole secret.
The crispy method
- Press the tofu for 15 minutes to remove water — this is the key step.
- Cube and coat in 1 tbsp cornflour, soy sauce and a little oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden.
- Toss in sauce only after cooking so it stays crisp.
The recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu (≈280g)
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame or vegetable oil
- ½ tsp garlic granules
Method
- Press the tofu for 15 minutes, then cube.
- Toss with cornflour, soy, oil and garlic.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Air fry 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.
Tips for the crispiest tofu
- Always press first. Wet tofu steams instead of crisping.
- Cornflour is the trick — it forms the crunchy shell.
- Sauce last. Glaze after cooking, or it goes soggy.
- Serve it in any of our vegetarian air fryer recipes or as a high-protein topper.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to press tofu before air frying?
Yes — pressing out the water is the single most important step for crispy tofu. Give it 15 minutes under a weight.
Can you air fry tofu without cornflour?
You can, but cornflour creates the crisp shell. Without it the tofu browns but stays softer.
Is air fryer tofu healthy?
Very — it's a high-protein, plant-based option cooked with just a teaspoon of oil, at around 182 calories per serving.