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    Home » Recipes » Extras

    Published: Jan 19, 2022 · Modified: Nov 20, 2022 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Tofu

    Golden brown and crispy tofu made with barely any oil! This breaded air fryer tofu recipe uses panko breadcrumbs to mimic a deep-fried crust. Season with pepper for a delicious snack or use as a plant based protein in rice bowls and salads. (Vegan, Gluten Free option)
    Jump to Recipe
    Close up of crispy breaded air fryer tofu with panko breadcrumb crust

    If you love crispy tofu—but don't want to deep fry at home—then you HAVE to try air fried tofu. We've tested a lot of different ways of cooking tofu over the years. Long story short: this crispy breaded air fryer tofu is a total game changer!

    A panko breadcrumb crust mimics a deep-fried exterior. Tamari is used to season the tofu—and it also hydrates the cornstarch to make sure there's no starchy mouthfeel after baking. This breaded air fryer method yields golden brown, crispy cubes of tofu. They're perfect for snacking (especially when seasoned with lots of black pepper!), or as a source of plant-based protein in grain bowls and salads.

    Jump to:
    • Why make tofu in an air fryer
    • Recipe ingredients
    • Step-by-step instructions (with photos)
    • Recipe video
    • Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why make tofu in an air fryer

    An air fryer rapidly circulates hot air in a small area, so it can cook and crisp foods faster than a conventional oven. In our side-by-side tests, the air fryer usually created a crisper and more evenly browned crust—all in a fraction of the time of an oven.

    Lately, we've been cooking all the things in our air fryer (especially these Broccoli Tater Tots). And surprise, surprise, the air fryer also does wonders for tofu. Even if tofu was the only food we cooked in our air fryer...it'd be worth it. Yes, this crispy air fryer tofu tastes THAT good!

    One of the biggest benefits of air frying is that you can get great results without much oil. In fact, this recipe is almost oil free. The only added oil is the light spray over the panko crusted tofu, right before baking. The spritz of oil helps the panko bake to an even golden brown color. It's amazing how little oil it takes to create a crispy crust in an air fryer!

    Recipe ingredients

    Ingredients to make crispy air fryer tofu: cubed tofu, garlic powder, panko breadcrumbs, cornstarch, tamari, and oil spray

    You may already have most (if not all of the ingredients) at home already. Here's what you need to make this recipe:

    • Extra-firm tofu: This is usually the most compact tofu sold at conventional grocery stores. If you can find "pressed" tofu—or if you have the time to press the tofu yourself—feel free! But we usually just use extra-firm tofu, straight from the package, because it's fast and convenient.
    • Tamari (or soy sauce): The tofu will absorb most of the tamari, which helps season the tofu on the inside. Any unabsorbed tamari will help coat the outside of the tofu—to hydrate the the cornstarch (so that it doesn't look or taste powdery) and help the panko crust stick.
    • Garlic powder: Helps to flavor this very quick marinade for the tofu. If you can't eat garlic, you could leave this out.
    • Cornstarch: A bit of cornstarch helps create a crispy coating. It also helps thicken the unabsorbed tamari, so the panko coating sticks better. (If you're interested, this article is great at explaining the magic of cornstarch in cooking).
    • Panko breadcrumbs: Panko is flakier and crunchier than regular breadcrumbs, so it makes the perfect "cheat" for a deep-fried coating—without the oil. You can use gluten-free panko if you'd like; but do not substitute with the panko for regular breadcrumbs.
    • Oil spray: This recipe uses barely any oil! The only added oil is a quick spray over the breaded tofu, before it hits the air fryer. The oil helps the panko turn evenly golden brown. And, oil adds flavor, so a little bit on the crust is very much worth it. Use either olive oil or grapeseed oil spray (avoid PAM, if you can).
    • Pepper (and salt): We highly recommend seasoning the fresh-from-the-air-fryer tofu with a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. And add salt if it needs it.

    Step-by-step instructions (with photos)

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    A hand tossing cubed tofu and tamari until the tofu is well coated
    1. Pour tamari and garlic powder over tofu—and use your hands to gently toss to combine.
    Cubed tofu sitting in a shallow glass dish of tamari to marinate
    2. Before marinating: This is the tofu immediately after tossing it with the tamari and garlic powder. Now, let it sit for 6 to 8 minutes to absorb most of the tamari.
    Cubed tofu that has absorbed tamari after marinating in a shallow clear glass dish
    3. After marinating: After 6 to 8 minutes, turning the tofu cubes every couple of minutes, most—but not all—of the tamari has been absorbed. You want to have a bit of tamari leftover at the bottom of the dish. If the tofu has absorbed all the tamari, don't worry! Just add a splash of extra tamari before moving onto the step of adding cornstarch.
    Cornstarch sprinkled over tamari coated tofu, with a hand tossing to mix everything together
    4. Sprinkle with cornstarch and use your hands to gently toss the marinated tofu to mix.
    A woman's hands tossing cubes of tofu with tamari and cornstarch, until the cornstarch is no longer visible
    5. Keep mixing until there is no longer any white powdery cornstarch visible.
    A hand putting tofu into a dish of panko breadcrumbs to create a crust
    6. Working with one piece of tofu at a time, dip it into a small bowl of panko breadcrumbs.
    A hand coating tofu in crispy panko breadcrumbs
    7. Use your hand to press the panko into the tofu, if needed.
    8. Arrange the breaded tofu in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Give it a spray of oil, so that the panko can brown evenly.
    Close up of crispy breaded air fryer tofu with panko breadcrumb crust
    9. This is what the tofu should look like when it comes out of the air fryer. A crispy, golden brown coating—YUM!

    Recipe video

    Serving suggestions

    Salt and pepper tofu

    The simplest way to enjoy this tofu is to season it with a very generous amount of freshly ground black pepper (and salt, if needed)....then dig in. This salt and pepper tofu hits the spot when we're craving a salty but healthy snack. And the protein will hold you over until your next meal.

    When it comes to how much black pepper to use, the answer is A LOT! Add what you think looks like a good amount of pepper...then add even more. Growing up, I loved crispy salt and pepper dry ribs, so this tofu combo brings back nostalgic memories.

    A couple pro tips for seasoning breaded tofu: Firstly, the salt and pepper will stick better when the tofu is fresh from the air-fryer. So season while it's hot. And secondly, if you can give the tofu another quick spray of oil once it's out of the air fryer—then sprinkle with the pepper and salt, it'll stick even better.

    Other serving ideas

    Crispy breaded foods are best enjoyed immediately, while they're still hot and crispy! Here are some ways you can use this Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Tofu:

    • Tucked into a grain bowl
    • Tossed in a salad
      • We usually add the tofu after tossing the salad with dressing, to keep the tofu as crisp as possible
    • Served on the side of stir-fried veggies and rice
      • We prefer to add it on the side or scatter on top, because tossing the tofu with saucy, steamy veggies will soften the crispy tofu coating.
    • As "nuggets", with ketchup or another sauce for dipping
    • On their own as a protein-rich snack with lots of coarse black pepper (see above)
    • In tacos, as a plant-based filling
    • In lettuce wraps, drizzled with sauce

    Let us know how else you'd eat this crispy breaded tofu—we'd love to hear your ideas!

    Baked crispy breaded air fryer tofu in an air fryer basket
    Close up of a plate with crispy breaded air fryer tofu that has been garnished with coarsely ground black pepper and salt

    📖 Recipe

    Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Tofu

    Golden brown and crispy tofu made with barely any oil! This breaded air fryer tofu recipe uses panko breadcrumbs to mimic a deep-fried crust. Season with pepper for a delicious snack or use as a plant based protein in rice bowls and salads. (Vegan, Gluten Free option)
    Prep Time 18 minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    Close up of crispy breaded air fryer tofu with panko breadcrumb crust
    Print

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz extra-firm tofu
    • 2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs (more if needed, see note 1)
    • Oil spray (olive oil or grapeseed oil)
    • Black pepper (ideally coarsely ground)
    • Salt (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Prep tofu: Cut tofu into cubes (¾-inch/2 cm). Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
    • Season tofu: Transfer cubes to a shallow dish (see note 2). Pour tamari over tofu and sprinkle with garlic powder. Use your hands to gently toss to coat. Let marinate for 6 to 8 minutes, turning the cubes every couple of minutes, until most—but not all—of the tamari is absorbed (see note 3).
    • Add cornstarch: Scatter cornstarch over tofu. Use your hands to gently toss to coat. (There should be no dry cornstarch visible—if you see any powder, keep tossing).
    • Bread tofu: Working with one cube at a time, use one hand to swirl the cube in the residual tamari at the bottom of the dish to moisten. Dip tofu into panko and coat all sides (use your other dry hand to press the panko into tofu). Place breaded tofu in an air fryer basket and repeat. (Space out the cubes in a single layer in the basket.)
    • Bake: Give the tofu a good spray of oil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) in the air fryer (no need to preheat) for 10 minutes. Give the basket a shake, spray lightly with oil (optional, but helps with browning), and bake for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
    • Serve: Season tofu with black pepper (we like to use lots!) and more salt if needed. Enjoy while hot from the oven (see note 4).

    Notes

    1. Gluten free option: Use gluten free panko breadcrumbs.
    2. Shallow dish: A pie plate works great here! Otherwise, use any shallow baking dish you have or a plate with a rim (so the tamari doesn't spill over the edge).
    3. Seasoning tofu with tamari: In this step, you want to let the tofu absorb most of the tamari (for flavor)—but not all of it! (See the step-by-step photos in the recipe post for a visual reference). The small amount of tamari at the bottom of the dish will help hydrate the cornstarch and moisten the tofu exterior so that the panko adheres. If your tofu ended up absorbing all the tamari, add a little splash of extra tamari, then continue with the next step of adding cornstarch.
    4. Serving suggestions: We highly recommend seasoning the tofu a hefty amount of freshly ground black pepper (and a sprinkle of extra salt, if desired). It's delicious on its own. Or, add to grain bowls or salad for a tasty plant-based source of protein. This breaded tofu is best served fresh, when it's hot from the oven. The panko crust will soften when coated with wet sauces, so if doing so, enjoy immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 597mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pedro says

      January 19, 2023 at 8:07 am

      5 stars
      This recipes has turned me into a tofu lover! I never really liked it before, but this preparation turned out really good. Can't wait to try it with other dishes.

      Reply
      • bri says

        January 21, 2023 at 3:26 am

        Hi Pedro! Glad to hear you enjoyed the tofu! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. If you're looking for any other tofu recipes, we highly recommend trying our Crispy Tofu Sticks with Honey Mustard next! They have a similar preparation/crispy exterior as this recipe. Have a great weekend ahead!

        Reply
    2. Darcy says

      December 10, 2022 at 12:06 am

      5 stars
      Who knew tofu could be so good?! Even my roommate loved them, which is saying a lot LOL. Thank you for this fab recipe!

      Reply
      • bri says

        December 10, 2022 at 7:45 am

        Hi Darcy! So happy to hear this recipe was a hit! Thank you for sharing <3 Hope you have a great weekend

        Reply
    3. Maddy L says

      November 29, 2022 at 1:06 am

      5 stars
      OBSESSED!! I've been looking for more ways to add plant-based protein to my diet. Could snack on these all day! Adding this recipe to my rotation.

      Reply
      • bri says

        December 06, 2022 at 11:14 pm

        Yay, glad to hear it Maddy!

        Reply
    4. Katie says

      November 13, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      I’m new to tofu, can I make these the night before and use them in my salad the next day or will they get soggy

      Reply
      • bri says

        November 29, 2022 at 12:58 am

        Hi Katie! That's exciting to hear - we hope you enjoy trying tofu:) For breaded recipes like this one, they're best enjoyed fresh. That's when they'll be their crispiest. You can of course always reheat the next day; but for best results, enjoy them (at least the first time), hot from the oven. Hope this helps and let us know how it goes!

        Reply
    5. Pete says

      September 25, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      Had our vegetarian friends over for dinner last week and I had no idea what to make. Saw this recipe on IG and made the rice bowl with sweet chili sauce. Was a big hit with everyone. The sauce was really good, kinda forgot it was tofu tbh.

      Reply
      • bri says

        October 23, 2022 at 8:17 pm

        Hey Pete! So happy this recipe was a hit with your friends! Thanks so much for making the recipe and for taking the time to leave a review. Have a great week ahead!

        Reply
    6. Jane says

      September 20, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      I found this recipe a few months ago on Pinterest and now literally make it weekly. SO DELICIOUS!!

      Reply
      • bri says

        September 23, 2022 at 8:09 pm

        Thanks Jane! Glad you're enjoying this tofu recipe. Would love to hear about the different ways you serve it!

        Reply
    7. Dianne says

      September 18, 2022 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tofu for some lettuce wraps this weekend and... WOW. It was so good. So crunchy and tasty. Will definitely be making again soon. Thanks so much for the recipe!!

      Reply
      • bri says

        September 19, 2022 at 9:07 pm

        Glad you enjoyed this recipe Dianne! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    8. Danica says

      September 17, 2022 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      This tofu has quickly become a go-to quick meal for us over the last few months! It's so easy to make and so, so delicious. We love it with just salt and pepper 🙂

      Reply
      • bri says

        September 17, 2022 at 8:29 pm

        Hi Danica! Yay, glad to hear you're enjoying this recipe! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    9. Andrea says

      September 04, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      Any suggesttions how to make this in a conventional oven?

      Reply
      • bri says

        September 05, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        Hi Andrea! Yes, you can follow the "Alternate Oven Instructions" on this recipe here: https://evergreenkitchen.ca/sweet-chili-tofu-bowls/ . Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Donna says

      April 21, 2022 at 1:53 am

      5 stars
      My favorite way to eat tofu! I love how crispy this gets without deep frying.

      Reply
      • bri says

        April 29, 2022 at 8:53 pm

        So happy to hear that Donna! Glad you liked the tofu. Have a great weekend!

        Reply
    11. Beth says

      March 25, 2022 at 2:42 am

      5 stars
      My whole family loves this tofu! I first made it with the Sweet Chili sauce (from this site). Since then I've also tried it with peanut sauce and store-bought stir fry sauce....also tasty.

      Reply
      • bri says

        March 31, 2022 at 5:46 am

        Hi Beth! We're so happy to hear your family loves this tofu! Great sauce ideas, thanks so much for sharing.

        Reply
    12. Madison says

      March 16, 2022 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      Yum, these turned out so good!

      Reply
      • bri says

        March 23, 2022 at 6:52 am

        So happy to hear that Madison! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    13. Caroline V says

      March 09, 2022 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      These are amazing. I made a batch....ate almost a third straight from the fryer basket... and managed to save the rest for rice bowls. My new favorite tofu recipe!!!!

      Reply
      • bri says

        March 10, 2022 at 5:47 pm

        Hey Caroline! Haha sounds like the tofu was a hit! I always end up eating more than my fair share when it's fresh out of the air fryer LOL. Glad to hear I'm not the only one! Have a great day!

        Reply
    14. Aaron says

      February 17, 2022 at 11:35 pm

      5 stars
      Greetings from the UK! 5 stars for this recipe. Just made it for the 2nd time and it won't be my last

      Reply
      • bri says

        February 18, 2022 at 6:00 pm

        Thanks Aaron! We're happy to hear you're enjoying making this air fryer tofu! Thank you for leaving a review, we really appreciate it

        Reply
    15. Emily says

      February 09, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t believe I’ve never made tofu this way before!!! After the air fryer, I added lots of salt + pepper as the recipe suggested. So good! My boyfriend legit said this was the best tofu he’s ever eaten. We finished it in one sitting.

      Reply
      • bri says

        February 11, 2022 at 6:37 pm

        Hi Emily - So happy you (AND your boyfriend) liked this air fryer tofu! Good call with the salt and pepper. It's our favorite way to season it too! Hope you guys get to make this again! Have a great rest of your day

        Reply

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