Cook tofu without hating your life. It’s not hard & it’s not gross—pinky promise! These crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets are how to cook tofu without it tasting like a soggy cardboard box. Customize this tofu recipe with any of your favorite spices or dips for a healthy snack - without feeling like a starving rabbit! Enjoy this crispy snack without the greasy mess!
Rip tofu block into about 2-inch cubes as uniformly as possible.
In a large bowl, combine boiling water with salt & stir to dissolve. Add tofu to fully submerge. Cover with a lid or plate & let it sit for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper. Set aside.
Preheat air fryer to 190 degrees F.
Drain & pat dry tofu well with paper towels or a kitchen towel. In a bowl, combine tofu, oil, & cornstarch. Sprinkle seasoning mixture onto the tofu & toss together.
Lightly oil the air fryer rack, add tofu into a single layer working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. It’s important not to overcrowd, otherwise, the tofu won’t turn crispy. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
In the meantime, in a small bowl, whisk together the dipping sauce.
Remove tofu from the air fryer, serve with the dipping sauce, & enjoy!
Notes
Tofu: Firm or extra firm tofu is ideal for this recipe because they hold their shape and MUCH easier to handle! Silken or soft tofu is too delicate and will easily crumple apart.
Soaking tofu in hot salt water draws moisture out of the tofu through osmosis (more about this in the blog post above)!
This air fryer tofu recipe uses very basic seasonings but you can customize it by using any of your favorite spices and serve it with any of your fave dipping sauces, like sweet chili!