Air Fryer Crispy Tofu Nuggets
Golden, crunchy tofu bites even non-vegetarians love.
Before You Start
The air fryer is the easiest way to get truly crispy tofu. Pressing out the water and a light cornflour coat are the two things that turn bland tofu into golden, crunchy nuggets with a chewy centre. Dip in anything.
Instructions
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1
Press the tofu: wrap in a clean towel and rest something heavy on top for 15 minutes to squeeze out water.
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2
Cube the tofu and toss gently with the soy sauce and oil, then with the cornflour, garlic powder and paprika until coated.
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3
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F. Spread the tofu in a single layer with space between the cubes.
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4
Air fry for 14 to 18 minutes, shaking twice, until golden and crisp on all sides.
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5
Serve hot with sweet chilli, peanut sauce or barbecue dip.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
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♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Pressing out the water is the key to crispiness. Wet tofu steams and stays soft.
- Give the cubes room in the basket so every side crisps up.
🔀 Make it your own
- Toss the crisp tofu in a sticky sauce like the sesame or gochujang glazes on this site.
- Add cornmeal to the coating for extra crunch.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Re-crisp leftovers at 190°C for 4 minutes. Great cold on salads and grain bowls.
❓ Frequently asked
What tofu should I use?
Firm or extra-firm tofu. Silken or soft tofu has too much water and will fall apart. Always press it first.
How do I get tofu really crispy?
Press out the moisture, coat lightly in cornflour, do not crowd the basket, and shake it during cooking so all sides brown.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
