Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe

Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe

Today we are making a Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe! If you haven’t cooked much with tofu, you’re in for a treat! If you’re already a tofu lover, then this recipe is yet another amazing way to use up this soy-based food.

Tofu is soy milk pressed into solid white blocks. It’s tasteless without seasoning and acts like a sponge that soaks up different tofu marinades with whatever flavor you desire – like a sesame oil, ginger and peanut sauce on tofu, covered with sesame seeds (one of the best ways to eat it, in my opinion)!

It’s also vegan and a great source of protein. I feel that tofu is underrated, with other non-vegan protein options always taking first place. But really, tofu is a high protein vegan ingredient that’s been used for ages in different countries around the world, and has made its way to the mainstream health foods of America as the vegan movement has grew over the last decade. Now, people have been using tofu for more than just stir fry!

In this recipe, we are making a quick snack that you can throw together in 10 minutes and put in the air fryer. It’s super crispy, more than what you may believe tofu can be! This is all gluten-free and there are no breadcrumbs or special ingredients, as it uses just a combination of salt, pepper, Italian herbs and spices, cornstarch, oil and then a block of extra-firm tofu.

Different Types of Tofu

There are many different types of tofu. Silken tofu (aka, very soft tofu) is an ingredient in desserts due to its super soft and blendable consistency. Extra-firm tofu, on the other hand, has been used as a ricotta cheese base, feta cheese, vegan meat substitute, Indian paneer substitute and more. There’s also medium-firm tofu, which I almost never use because if I can get extra-firm, why not? Higher in protein, easier to use in stir-fries and all-around better for cooking with in my experience. So for this recipe, we’ll be using extra-firm tofu, pressed of extra water, for the crispiest recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe

Perfect for Vegans and Vegetarians: Tofu is a great source of plant-based protein, making this recipe an excellent option for vegans and vegetarians or anyone looking to incorporate more meatless meals into their diet. It’s similar to bland chicken, where it doesn’t have much of a flavor on its own but it will absorb the flavors it’s covered with. The longer you let a marinade sit on tofu, the more it soaks up the flavor – very similar to meat marinades!

If you’re looking to reduce your meat intake, one way to start is to use your favorite dairy-free, egg-free meat marinade (or use vegan substitutes, such as vegan yogurt) and swap out the meat for tofu!

Customizable: While this easy recipe is wonderful as is, you can always add your favorite seasonings or sauces to tailor it to your taste preferences. Traditional salt and pepper wasn’t cutting it for the utmost flavor in this recipe, so adding in the additional herbs made it even better! However, you can always customize it and swap out spices as per your taste.

Family-Friendly: Even if some family members are skeptical about tofu, the crispy texture and delicious seasoning in this recipe can win them over. It’s a great way to introduce tofu to picky eaters.

Minimal Ingredients: You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create this flavorful dish. It’s budget-friendly and accessible for most home cooks. It’s full of spices (which you can customize as per your liking), cornstarch (for crispiness), oil and tofu! Onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, thyme and basil make this an Italian seasoning-type of mix, but you can substitute as desired.

Low Cleanup: Since the air fryer requires very little oil as compared to deep frying, cleanup is a breeze compared to traditional frying methods.

Substitutions

Tofu: Make sure to choose extra firm tofu, as this is the best type of air frying. You will also need to make sure to press out any extra water from the tofu, to ensure it’s as crispy as possible before using in the recipe.

Herbs and Spices: This vegan air fry tofu recipe uses a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, oregano and thyme. You can substitute different spices as desired, but this specific combination in the specific proportions has been a favorite!

Olive Oil: Use avocado oil or another neutral tasting oil for this recipe. You can also use vegetable oil, canola oil or another neutral-tasting oil, albeit not as healthy as pure avocado oil.

Cornstarch: Use all-purpose flour or rice flour. The cornstarch helps the tofu to get even crispier, as it absorbs moisture. You’ll have to make sure to evenly coat all the cubes of tofu in a bowl and toss, toss, toss furiously to ensure all the tofu is coated as much as possible.

Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe Notes

• Use your favorite dipping sauce with this tofu! Buffalo sauce, hot sauce, vegan ranch or other options.
• This tofu is best eaten fresh. I do not recommend to store it for later, as it will not stay as crisp. If you’re okay with not-as-crispy tofu the day after, this recipe would make a great meal prep!
• You can skip the step where you drain out the excess water to save time. However, note that excess moisture won’t produce the most crispy tofu!

More Recipes You’ll Love

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Air Fryer Pasta Chips with Vegan Parmesan

Garlic & Herb Roasted Tomatoes

Air Fryer Croutons

Fried Chicken Tofu Nuggets

Peanut Sauce Tempeh

If you make this Crispy Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!