By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 3, 2026
Serves 4
103 cal · 25 min
Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
Recipe GLPR31989339bd339c
Golden, crispy cubes of extra-firm tofu prepared in the air fryer with a light cornstarch coating and kosher salt. Ready in just 25 minutes, this simple plant-based dish delivers satisfying crunch and pairs beautifully with any sauce or Asian-inspired meal.
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Ingredients
1 (14- to 16-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Cooking spray
Directions
Remove the tofu from its package and drain off the liquid. Wrap the block in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and place it on a cutting board. Set a heavy object (such as a cast-iron pan or heavy pot) on top of the wrapped tofu and press for 5–10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Once pressed, unwrap the tofu and cut it into ¾-inch cubes. You should get approximately 16–20 pieces.
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and kosher salt.
Place the tofu cubes in a separate bowl and lightly mist with cooking spray. Sprinkle the cornstarch mixture over the tofu and toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving small gaps between pieces for air circulation.
Air fry at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning on all sides. The tofu is done when the exterior is deeply golden and crispy.
Transfer the crispy tofu to a serving plate and serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce or as part of a larger meal.
Comments
This recipe hits several marks well: all four ingredients are stocked at any Charlotte grocery chain, the per-serving cost lands under $1 (tofu runs $2–3 per block at Harris Teeter or Food Lion, cornstarch and salt are pennies), and it genuinely reheats in a toaster oven without turning soggy. The stated time is honest if you buy pre-pressed tofu, though most cooks need to press or freeze-thaw it first, adding 10–15 minutes unless that step happens ahead. It's a solid weeknight vegetable protein with zero fussiness once the tofu is ready, but the simplicity also means the dish relies entirely on execution and seasoning creativity—plain crispy tofu is a platform, not a complete meal for most households.
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