Asian-Inspired
Air Fryer Crispy Tofu Bites
Firm tofu cubes get a light cornstarch coat and crisp in a single air-fryer layer. Serve with a quick soy-maple dip for a high-protein vegetarian plate.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 14 min
- Total
- 29 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Why you’ll love it
- Extra-firm tofu holds shape and browns evenly when patted dry.
- Cornstarch gives a thin crunch without deep frying.
- Air frying uses little oil and keeps the batch hot and crisp.
- A simple dip turns snack bites into a full meal with rice.
Ingredients
Ingredient amounts scale. Oven temperature and cook time do not. Salt, spices, and leaveners are a starting point after you scale. Taste and adjust.
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Instructions
- 1
Press tofu 10 minutes, then cut into 3/4-inch cubes and pat very dry.
- 2
Toss cubes with oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
- 3
Sprinkle cornstarch over tofu and toss until each piece is lightly coated.
- 4
Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, shaking once halfway.
- 5
Stir maple syrup and rice vinegar together for dipping and serve tofu hot.
Pro tips
- Do not stack the cubes or they will steam instead of crisp.
- If your basket is small, cook in two batches.
- A second light mist of oil near the end deepens browning.
Easy substitutions
- soy sauce
- tamari
- maple syrup
- honey
- cornstarch
- potato starch
Storage and reheating
Storage
Refrigerate cooled bites in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reheating
Air fry at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes until hot and crisp again.
Nutrition
Estimates per serving, using standard ingredient averages and rounded to the nearest gram. This is not a lab analysis, and it shifts if you change brands or add sides.
- Calories
- 210
- Protein
- 16 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Budget friendly · Air Fryer · Vegetarian
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From the kitchen
Kitchen tools we love
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A heavy 12-inch skillet
Most of the chicken and steak recipes are written for one pan that holds heat. Stainless or cast iron both work.
An air fryer with a real basket
The air-fryer recipes expect a single layer. A crowded basket steams instead of browning.
A half-sheet pan
Drumsticks, potatoes, sausage, and carrots all use one. A dark pan browns faster than a very shiny one.
A sharp chef’s knife
These recipes do not need a specialty blade. A sharp 8-inch knife is faster and safer than a dull one.
A large cutting board
Big enough that the onion and the raw chicken are not sharing the same puddle.
Dry cups and a liquid cup
Desserts in particular expect level dry measures and a separate cup for milk.
An instant-read thermometer
Use it for poultry, pork chops, and meatloaf. Color is a weak guide.
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