Sweet and tangy air fried lemon tofu features crispy tofu cubes coated in a fresh lemon sauce. Cook the tofu in the air fryer without oil, or bake it in the oven, then toss it with the sauce just before serving.
This recipe uses the same easy technique as my sweet and spicy orange tofu, but with a simple sauce made with fresh lemon juice and zest. Cornstarch helps the tofu turn golden and crispy while also thickening the lemon sauce.
Serve it with rice and your favorite vegetables for an easy dinner. And if you're looking for more ways to put your air fryer to work, you'll find plenty of ideas in my vegan air fryer recipes.
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Simple and delicious! Served it with the marinated asparagus and it was perfect! Thank you so much!
- Deb D.
Ingredients
You only need five ingredients plus water to make this lemon tofu:
- Super firm tofu: Since it contains less moisture, it doesn't need to be pressed. You can also use pressed extra-firm tofu.
- Tamari: Use soy sauce instead if you don't need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Cornstarch: This helps the tofu turn crispy and thickens the lemon sauce. Arrowroot powder can be substituted.
- Fresh lemon: You'll use both the juice and zest for plenty of citrus flavor.
- Organic sugar: A little sweetness balances the tart lemon juice.
Please see the recipe card for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to make air fried lemon tofu
- Coat the tofu cubes with tamari and cornstarch and let them rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Air fry until golden and crispy. Or spread the tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven.
- Meanwhile, stir the lemon sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Transfer the cooked tofu to a large skillet, pour in the sauce, and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Serving suggestions
Serve lemon tofu with steamed rice and a simple vegetable side. I especially like it with sauteed sugar snap peas with garlic and tamari, which pair well with the sweet and tangy lemon sauce.
If you enjoy citrus, try my orange tofu next. It uses the same oil-free air fryer or oven method with a maple-sweetened orange sauce and adjustable heat.
Made this recipe or have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 For even more recipes, join the Veggies Save The Day community. It's less like a newsletter and more like emails between friends.
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Sweet and Tangy Air Fried Lemon Tofu (or Baked Without Oil)
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce block super firm tofu, (or extra-firm tofu, pressed), patted dry and cubed
- 1 Tablespoon tamari, (or soy sauce, if not gluten-free)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
For the sauce:
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons organic sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Place the tofu cubes in a quart-size sealable storage bag or a storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the tamari and seal the bag or container. Shake until all the tofu is coated with the tamari.1 Tablespoon tamari, 1 16-ounce block super firm tofu
- Add the tablespoon of cornstarch. Shake again until the tofu is evenly coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- Meanwhile, add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and stir until combined. Set aside.½ cup water, ⅓ cup lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons organic sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- For air frying*: Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to cook it in two batches, depending on your model. Cook at 390 to 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until lightly browned and crispy.
- For baking: Spread the tofu cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until lightly browned and crispy.
- Place the cooked tofu in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Give the sauce a stir, then pour it over the tofu. Stir until the sauce has thickened and coats the tofu.
- Serve immediately with rice and vegetables, if desired.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation.
Susan says
I love, love, love this recipe! I just now made it and you are so right, I want to lick the skillet! It’s so fast and easy too. It’s perfect. It could be good made with orange too.
Amy Katz says
Thanks so much, Susan! I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
Deb Dean says
Simple and delicious! Served it with the marinated asparagus and it was perfect! Thank you so much!
Amy Katz says
Thanks Deb! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Linda says
I made this the other day for the first time. I love all things lemon so was super excited to try this. I air fry tofu all the time and love how crispy it comes out. However, when I added the crispy tofu to the pan to make the sauce, it got mushy and was no longer crisp at all. The flavor was amazing though and I will definitely make this again. I think next time I'll cook the sauce first and then combine right before eating.
Sharan says
This was incredible! I’m a big anything lemon person but this recipe far exceeds any lemon tofu recipe I’ve made. It was perfect! I’m always looking for new ideas for tofu. Thank you for sharing this. Highly recommend!
Amy Katz says
Thank you so much, Sharan!
Ann says
So delicious! I had never tried pressing, marinating and air frying tofu before but now I am hooked. The lemon sauce was also delicious. I modified it slightly by using less sugar, and then added some tamari when warming it up in the sauce. This is a recipe I will go to again and again. Thank you Amy
Amy Katz says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Ann! And I like how you modified the sauce. Great idea!
Tammy says
Super easy with all ingredients typically on hand. I didn't think the sauce would glaze up the way it did - so perfect. I felt like a professional cook. I followed the recipe exactly and threw in steamed vegetables.
The sauce thickened and glazed over the tofu and veges so nicely. It was beautiful.
Very very tasty!
Amy Katz says
That's fantastic, Tammy!
Geoff Offermann says
Quick, easy, and so delicious! Should I try with orange?
Amy Katz says
Thanks Geoff! I have a similar recipe with a spicy orange sauce you might enjoy: https://www.veggiessavetheday.com/air-fryer-orange-tofu/ Or you can make the lemon sauce with a combination of lemon, lime, and orange.
Denali says
Yummy! First time using an air fryer and this recipe was quick and easy to follow will be making again :).
Amy Katz says
I'm so happy to hear it. Enjoy your new air fryer!
Katrin says
Made this earlier today, first time using an air fryer. Loving how easy it is to make crispy tofu with it (I used soy sauce and wheat starch as I didn't have tamari or cornflour and it worked well)
To add a bit of spice I added a teaspoon of grated ginger and a little more soy sauce when I cooked the tofu in the pan and added my steamed mixed veggies to soak up all the sauce. Yummy ♥ will make this again, thanks!!!
Amy Katz says
This is fantastic to hear, Katrin! I'm glad your substitutions worked out well. And I love that you added veggies!
Lacey says
Sounds amazing! Do you recommend any other substitutes for the tamari? Thanks!
Amy Katz says
Thanks Lacey! You can use soy sauce or coconut aminos in place of the tamari.
Caitlyn says
HI! How do you get your tofu to not stick to the air fryer basket?
Also, Is there a trick for keeping the tofu crisp? Once I mix it with the sauce, it gets soft again.
Thanks!!
Amy says
Hi Caitlyn! It sounds like you need to cook the tofu a little longer in the air fryer. A few more minutes should make it more crispy and it shouldn't stick. I hope this helps!