Crispy Air Fryer Tofu with Soy Glaze (Printable Version)
Golden tofu cubes air-fried to perfection and coated in a savory-sweet soy glaze. Vegan, dairy-free, and ready in 30 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Tofu
01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
02 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Soy Glaze
06 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
07 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon water
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
13 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water as slurry
→ Garnishes
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
15 - 2 spring onions, sliced
# How-To:
01 - Set air fryer temperature to 400°F and allow 3-5 minutes for preheating.
02 - In a mixing bowl, gently toss pressed tofu cubes with cornstarch, oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated on all sides.
03 - Arrange tofu cubes in single layer in air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes at 400°F, shaking basket halfway through cooking time, until cubes are golden and crispy.
04 - In small saucepan, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, water, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring to simmer over medium heat.
05 - Stir cornstarch slurry into simmering glaze and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened to coating consistency. Remove from heat.
06 - Transfer hot crispy tofu cubes to large bowl and pour soy glaze over them. Toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
07 - Transfer glazed tofu to serving dish and top with toasted sesame seeds and fresh sliced spring onions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cornstarch trick creates a whisper-thin crust that shatters with each bite, something I discovered by accident when I ran out of flour once.
- You can have this on the table in 30 minutes flat, which has saved dinner on countless evenings when my kids are circling the kitchen like hungry sharks.
02 -
- Never skip pressing the tofu, I once rushed this step and ended up with sadly steamed rather than crispy cubes.
- Adding the glaze at the very end, rather than before air frying, keeps that satisfying crunch intact while still delivering all the flavor.
03 -
- If your tofu seems to be sticking to the air fryer basket, a quick spritz of cooking spray before adding the cubes works wonders.
- For meal prep, double the recipe and keep the glaze separate, tossing only what youll eat immediately to maintain that perfect texture.