Air fryer salt and pepper tofu (crispy and healthy!) (2024)

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5 from 4 votes

This Chinese-style Salt and pepper tofu air fryer is crispy and golden to perfection! The best part is you don’t have to press the tofu so this dish comes together FAST!

Much healthier, lighter, and easier to make than deep-frying. Sprinkle the tofu with salt and pepper seasoning and serve with Chinese chicken wings or crunchy Taiwanese popcorn chicken for a delicious family meal!

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What kind of tofu should I use?

Use extra firm tofu because it has already been pressed and has most of its water removed. The texture is more dense and the tofu also has a higher protein content. (I use this one)

A rule of thumb is — the lesser the moisture, the crispier the tofu will be.

I don’t recommend using firm tofu and soft tofu because they contain more water than the extra firm ones. You’ll need to press the tofu to remove water, then dice and season.

Substitutions and variations

• Starch: Other starches like corn starch and arrowroot starch works great if you don’t have potato starch. I prefer to make mine without cornstarch.
• Fresh chili peppers: I used serrano chili pepper. You can also use Thai red chili peppers. For non-spicy alternatives, use red bell peppers or sweet pepper.
• Different flavor: Sprinkle a teaspoon of your favorite seasoning, such as onion powder, smoked paprika, or black pepper.
• Low carb: Whey protein isolate is a good starch alternative to make it low carb.

Sichuan peppercorn and powder

Sichuan peppercorns are aromatic spices from the prickly ash shrub, popular in Asian cuisines, especially Sichuan. They’re famous for their unique and numbing flavor, called mala in Mandarin. You can see how I use them in Chinese steamed eggplant salad and black pepper chicken stir-fry dishes.

For the powder version, the peppercorns are lightly toasted and ground into powder. You can use them as you would with ground black pepper.

If you can’t find Sichuan peppercorns, you can use the following substitutions to get an approximate flavor.

1. Ground black pepper mixed with coriander seeds
2. Lemon pepper seasoning

How to make Air fryer salt and pepper tofu

Whether you use Ninja Foodi or other air fryer brands, here are simple instructions to make crispy air fryer tofu:

1. Pat the tofu dry with paper towels before and after slicing them into cubes.
2. Combine the seasonings in a mixing bowl. Gently toss the tofu cubes with the oil and the starch until they are evenly coated.
3. Preheat your air fryer. Spray oil on the basket and add the tofu pieces in a single layer. Flip the tofu halfway through. They are ready when golden brown and have a crispy exterior.

4. Chop the spring onions, garlic, and chili pepper while you wait. Set aside a small portion for garnish. In another bowl, prepare the salt and pepper seasoning.
5. Saute the aromatics, then add the tofu and half the amount of the salt and pepper seasoning. Toss for 30 seconds.
6. Transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with scallions and chili pepper. Serve with extra spices on the side.

Tip for pan-frying: Add 3-4 tbsp of oil to the pan and preheat it over medium heat until the oil simmers. Add the tofu and shallow fry until golden brown on all sides. Scoop the tofu cubes out with a slotted spoon and drain away excess oil.

How do you keep tofu from sticking to the air fryer basket?

The trick is to let the food rest in the basket for 10-15 seconds before you attempt to flip it.

Because tofu has less fat, it can stick to the inside of an air fryer basket. You should –

1. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil
2. Toss and coat the tofu with oil evenly
3. Spray another layer of oil on top of the tofu
4. After removing the basket from the air fryer, let the food rest for 10-15 seconds before you flip the food.

When the food in the air fryer cools down, it tends to “shrink” slightly. This makes it easier to remove from the rack after the surface moisture has dried up.

How to make ahead, store, and reheat

• Make-ahead: Prepare the aromatics ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge before use. You can also combine the seasonings beforehand. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
• Storage: Store cooked dish for up to 5 days in the fridge.
• Reheat: You can enjoy the leftovers at room temperature. To reheat, air fry them at 360°F for 4-5 minutes.

What to serve the tofu with

Air fry tofu with salt and pepper is delicious when served with rice or as a side dish. It can also be used as a topping for stir fry or enjoyed as a snack with dipping sauces. Here are some ideas:

• Topping: Add the tofu to spicy peanut noodles, or veggie stir fries like garlic green beans or Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce.
• Side dish: Serve the tofu alongside Asian cucumber salad or Chinese smashed cucumber salad for a light and refreshing meal.
• Dipping sauce: Dip the crispy tofu in Chinese garlic chili sauce, sweet Hoisin sauce, or full-flavored Taiwanese shacha sauce.

Expert tips

• Use extra firm tofu: The water and moisture content have mostly been pressed and removed so it saves you time from having to press the tofu.
• Use starch: Gently coat the tofu with starch. It helps to create a crunchy exterior.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange tofu pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
• Use oil spray: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil and spray a little more on top of the tofu cubes so they crisp up evenly.
• Wait 10-15 seconds: Halfway through cooking, remove the basket and wait for 10-15 seconds. It’ll be easier to flip the tofu after the surface moisture has dried up.
• Salt and pepper seasoning: Add salt and pepper, preferably Sichuan peppercorns for a unique, numbing flavor.
• Add Aromatics: After air frying the tofu, toss with fresh aromatics like scallions, garlic, or chilies for an extra flavor boost.
• Serve Immediately: Tofu is best when it’s hot and crispy, so try to serve it right after cooking.

FAQs

More tofu recipes you might like

If you love this air fry salt and pepper tofu recipe, you’ll want to add these tofu dishes to your weeknight dinner list.

• Silken tofu recipe
• Cashew flour cold tofu
• Chinese egg tofu
• Baked sesame egg tofu