This air fryer tofu is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and made without cornstarch. With just a small amount of oil and the right technique, you can get golden, lightly crispy tofu right in the air fryer.
You don't need cornstarch to make crispy tofu in the air fryer. Nutritional yeast creates a light coating, while pressing the tofu, using a small amount of oil, and leaving enough room in the basket help the edges brown and crisp.
I'll show you exactly how to prep, season, and air fry the tofu, plus a few simple tips to prevent soggy or unevenly cooked pieces.
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Ingredients
These ingredients work together to create a crisp exterior without using cornstarch.
Extra-Firm Tofu: Extra-firm tofu holds its shape well and has less moisture than softer varieties, making it ideal for air frying.
Nutritional Yeast: Creates a light coating on the tofu and adds savory flavor while helping the exterior brown and crisp.
Soy Sauce: Adds salt and moisture, helping the seasonings coat the tofu evenly.
Spray Oil: A light coating of oil helps the exterior crisp and prevents sticking.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make This Recipe
Follow these steps to prepare and cook the tofu for the right texture in the air fryer!
Step 1: Press the extra-firm tofu for about 15 minutes, then tear or cut it into bite-sized pieces. Toss the tofu with soy sauce and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Add nutritional yeast and seasonings. Toss to coat evenly. Lightly spray with oil and toss again to help the coating stick.
Step 3: Transfer the tofu to the air fryer basket.
Step 4: Air fry at 400°F for 13 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes for even cooking.
Substitutions & Variations
Looking for a similar method using tempeh? Try my crispy air fryer tempeh recipe!
Seasonings: Use any spice blend depending on how you plan to serve it.
Nutritional Yeast: Helps create a light coating that promotes crisping. It can be omitted, but the texture will be less crisp.
No Air Fryer? Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tofu is firm and lightly crisp. For a crispier, more coated texture, you can try my crispy baked tofu recipe using cornstarch.
Serving Ideas
Use this air fryer tofu in a variety of dishes:
- Grain bowls: Add to rice or quinoa with greens, roasted vegetables, and a sauce like this Tahini Lemon Dressing.
- Stir-fries: Toss into a vegetable stir-fry and coat with a sauce like this Vegan Orange Teriyaki Sauce or my 5-minute Vegan Stir Fry Sauce and serve with rice or noodles.
- Salads: Add to mixed greens with chopped vegetables and a vinaigrette or creamy dressing.
Tips & Tricks
Press and dry the tofu. Removing excess moisture helps the surface brown instead of steam. Pat the tofu dry after pressing before adding the soy sauce and seasonings.
Don't overcrowd the basket. Arrange the tofu in a single layer with a little room between the pieces so hot air can circulate around them. Cook in batches if necessary.
Shake the basket while cooking. Shaking every 5 minutes helps expose different sides of the tofu to the circulating air for more even browning.
Adjust for your air fryer. Air fryers vary, so start checking the tofu during the last few minutes. Add a little more time if needed, or remove it once the edges are golden and crisp.
Storage
Store: Let the tofu cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and lightly crisp again.
Freeze: I don't recommend freezing this recipe because freezing changes the texture of tofu.
More Tofu Recipes
Looking for more ways to cook tofu? Here are some of my favorite tofu recipes to try:
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Recipe
Air Fryer Tofu without Cornstarch
Ingredients
- 1 block Extra-Firm Tofu drained and pressed
- 1 tablespoon Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or gluten-free tamari
- 1 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Spray Avocado Oil or other neutral oil
Instructions
- Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture. Use a tofu press or wrap the block in a clean towel and place something heavy on top to drain.
- Cube the tofu and add it to a shallow bowl.
- Toss the tofu cubes into the low-sodium soy sauce and let it absorb for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the nutritional yeast and seasonings, then toss to coat evenly. Lightly spray with oil and toss again until the coating sticks to the tofu.
- Transfer the tofu to the air fryer basket and air fry at 400F for 13-15 minutes or until crispy, shake the basket often to ensure even cooking. No need to preheat the air fryer.
Notes
Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. Please know that I may receive a percentage or commission from a link included on this page, at no extra cost to you. I will only ever recommend a product that I have used and believe has substantial value to my readers.
Liza J says
I made this today, and using the nutritional yeast instead of the cornstarch was a game changer, that’s how I will be making my tofu from now on when I want to make it like this. Soooo good, thank you!
Liv says
So happy you enjoyed! 🙂
Jennifer says
I made this last week twice and it was really good. I will use this way of making crispy tofu from now on. Delish.
Liv says
Yay! Glad you are enjoying 🙂