This air fryer crispy tofu recipe is an easy keto vegan dish that has a great crunchy texture with a tasty flavour. A delicious low carb and gluten-free vegan recipe.
Unlike many crispy tofu recipes, this does not have any cornstarch as it's not keto friendly. Some tofu recipes will toss the chunks into cornstarch but the magic of the air fryer will work on the crispy texture.
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Carbs in Tofu
As well as being low in carbs, tofu is also a good source of protein. However, since it is made from soy beans some people do not like to eat it. It's a personal choice though.
A 100 gram serving of tofu will have 1.5 grams net carbohydrates, 8 grams protein, 4 grams fiber and 76 calories.
If you do want to enjoy tofu, ensure that the tofu is non-GMO and made from organic soybeans.
What type of tofu should I use?
Tofu comes in a few varieties of texture but for crispy tofu you want to use firm tofu. If you can get it, use extra-firm tofu.
How to Make Air Fryer Crispy Tofu
Before you air fryer tofu it needs to be prepared to extract the water from it. The more moisture you remove from the tofu, the crispier it will cook.
- Blot the tofu block with kitchen roll to remove moisture.
- Use a tofu press to remove excess moisture or place the block of tofu between two paper towel lined heavy plates or blocks for 10 minutes.
- Cut the tofu into bite sized chunks.
- Mix the marinade ingredients into a bowl.
- Toss the tofu chunks in the marinade and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket and cook the tofu chunks until crispy.
Other Marinade Ideas
Marinading the tofu is essential for a flavoursome dish. By itself tofu does not have a lot of taste but it absorbs flavours and spices like a sponge. The marinade we have in the recipe card is optional and you can create your own.
A few low carb marinade suggestions are:
- Chili, lime and olive oil
- Buffalo sauce
- Sesame oil, ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper
- Sriracha and ginger
Storing & Reheating Tofu
Ideally this tofu recipe is best enjoyed freshly made. If you do have any left overs keep them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Reheat the tofu in the air fryer or oven until they are hot.
Recipe Tips
If you don't have an air fryer, the tofu chunks can be stir fried in a wok for a tofu stir fry recipe or baked in the oven until crispy.
You will need to cook this in batches as the tofu chunks should be placed in the basket in a single layer and not touching each other.
Toss in sesame seeds to serve.
Serve with stir fried vegetables, cauliflower rice or low carb noodles for a hearty low carb vegan meal.
More Keto Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Crispy Tofu
Ingredients
- 16 oz Firm tofu
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons tamari
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger grated
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Instructions
Prepare the tofu
- Drain the tofu from the packet and blot with kitchen towel.
- Use a tofu press to remove excess moisture or place the block of tofu between two paper towel lined heavy plates or blocks for 10 minutes.
- Chop the tofu into small cubes.
Make the Marinade
- In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients.
- Add the tofu cubes and toss in the marinade, coating them all. Let the tofu marinade for 15 minutes.
Air Fry the Tofu
- Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacture instructions.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the tofu in the basket in a single layer. You may have to work in batches.
- Air fry at 190C/375F degrees for 13-15 minutes or until golden and desired crispiness, tossing halfway through.
Notes
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
