Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
A magical transformation of plain tofu into golden, crunchy cubes with a soft, tender centre. This 15-minute air fryer dish features a fragrant, spicy sauce made by "blooming" aromatics with hot oil. It is savoury, satisfying, and completely addictive.
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Servings: 1
Calories: 377kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 200 g medium-firm or firm tofu
- 1 drizzle oil or oil spray (optional, for crisping)
Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 2 tbsp chopped scallions (white and green parts)
- 1 tsp white sesame seeds
- ½ tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp Sichuan pepper powder (or black pepper)
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (to be heated)
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: drain 200g medium-firm or firm tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the tofu into equal cubes. Optional: lightly brush or spray each piece with 1 drizzle of oil.
- Air-fry the tofu: Place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air-fry the tofu at 180°C for 15 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake at the 7-minute mark.
- Make the sauce: in a small heatproof bowl, add 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp chopped scallions, 1 tsp white sesame seeds, ½ tsp cumin powder, ½ tsp Sichuan pepper powder, and ½ tsp chilli powder. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a small pan until shimmering hot, then carefully pour it over the spice mixture. Once the sizzling slows, stir in 1 tsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp water.
- Combine and serve: transfer the crispy tofu to a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the tofu and toss to combine, or serve the sauce on the side as a dip to maintain maximum crispiness. Finish with a sprinkle of extra scallions or sesame seeds.
Notes
- Choose the right tofu — Firm or medium-firm tofu holds its shape better.
- Avoid silken tofu — it’s too soft for air frying and will fall apart.
- Drain well — The dryer your tofu, the crispier it’ll get.
- Oil matters — A small drizzle helps achieve a golden crust — but don’t overdo it; too much oil will make it heavy.
- Don’t skip the hot oil step — Pouring 1 tbsp hot oil over the aromatics releases their full fragrance — this is what makes the sauce restaurant-worthy.
- Make it spicier — Add a few dried red chillies or chilli flakes to the hot oil if you love extra heat.
- Make it vegan — Swap 1 tsp oyster sauce for mushroom sauce or vegetarian stir-fry sauce.
- Reheat tips — If you have leftovers, reheat the tofu in the air fryer at 180°C for 3–4 minutes to make it crispy again.
Nutrition
Serving: 50g | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 529mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 4mg