Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tofu not crispy in the air fryer? ›

Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave a little space around each one. If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook.

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

I tried coating tofu with various blends of flour, potato starch, rice flour, and corn starch, both pan-frying and deep-frying, and found that the crispest, cleanest-tasting results came from a deep-fry in a simple coating of cornstarch. Crisp fresh out of the fryer, that is.

Cornstarch forms a protective layer around each cube of tofu, which crisps up when added to heat. If you don't have cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca starch also work. Garlic powder – This is optional but adds a delightful savory, garlicky flavor. Olive oil – Needed to pan fry the tofu.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Cornstarch substitutes for pan frying and deep frying:

Often, recipes involving proteins like tofu, chicken, eggplant, and fish will call for cornstarch. If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute all-purpose flour in favor for a more routine breading and frying procedure.

Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

Crispy and Delicious.

With a few easy but critical steps, your tofu will turn out firm, crispy, and delectable. PLUS! Since air fryer tofu uses very little oil to crisp, it is much healthier than regular deep-fried tofu, which is completely submerged in oil.

Doing so accomplishes a few things, as Eric Kim wrote this week. Freezing tofu not only extends it past that stamped expiration date, but doing so also removes enough moisture to create a delightfully crisp exterior and pleasantly spongy interior when fried or roasted.

Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

After the hot water soak, it's still important to completely blot the pieces of tofu dry so that they don't stick to the air fryer. Combining the soak, thorough blot drying, and a good dusting of arrowroot powder will get you nicely crispy results! It only takes about 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

Type of oil to use for frying tofu: Canola is great and so are vegetable/soybean oil and refined peanut oil. In general, choose a neutral-flavored oil that has a high smoking point. That is, don't deep-fry with sesame oil.

Marinated tofu is the best tofu! Bold statement, yes, but it's true: when you infuse your tofu with this sweet, savory, and smoky Tofu Marinade, it's delicious all the way through and NEVER bland! Use it for baked tofu, pan-fried tofu, or cooking tofu in the air fryer.

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Add a Small Amount of Oil and Place in Basket

Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket. You can also use a nonstick cooking spray made with a healthier oil such as avocado oil ($7, Target) with a high smoke point.

Why Are My Air Fryer Potato Chips Not Crispy? If your potato chips aren't crispy, it's likely because your potatoes were not completely dry before you started cooking, or you did not soak and rinse them long enough. Using too much oil could also make your potato chips less crispy.

Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam, not brown. Only add as many as will fit in a single layer. Then, air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.