You'll love how easy it is to make crispy air fried tofu in your air fryer without any oil. Serve it with a fresh lemon sauce you can make in minutes. Once you try this quick and simple method, you may never want to prepare tofu any other way.
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If you've ever wondered why the tofu you prepare at home pales in comparison to what you've tried in restaurants, you've come to the right place. The secrets to making scrumptious golden nuggets of tofu without oil are in this easy vegan air fryer recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- You only need 5 ingredients and less than 45 minutes to make it.
- The tofu tastes like the deep-fried version you get in restaurants, yet it's oil-free.
- You'll want to lick your plate to enjoy every last bit of the incredible lemon sauce.
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- Extra-firm tofu (or use super-firm and skip pressing the tofu)
- Tamari (or soy sauce, if you do not need to follow a gluten-free diet)
- Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
For the lemon sauce:
- Lemon (both the zest and the juice)
- Organic sugar
- Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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Instructions
- Cut the pressed tofu into cubes and marinate in tamari and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
- Air fry the tofu.
- Quickly simmer the tofu in the lemon sauce and serve.
Serving suggestions
Air fried lemon tofu is delicious served with steamed rice, spicy mango fried rice, or your favorite grain. Or try it on a bed of spinach, chard, or baby kale. There's no need to cook the greens since they will wilt from the heat of the sauce.
In addition, this citrusy dish pairs well with veggie sides like stir fried sugar snap peas, marinated asparagus, and roasted brown mushrooms.
Storing
While best enjoyed right away, leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and microwaved to reheat.
Recipe FAQs
Cornstarch works in two ways: It makes food crispy, and it thickens sauces. It this recipe, we're using it for both coating the tofu before air frying and for thickening the lemon sauce.
If you want the tofu to be crispy, it's best to press it to remove any excess moisture. However, if you use super-firm tofu instead of extra-firm tofu, you do not need to press it.
Tofu is sold already cooked, and you can eat it straight from the package if you want. When air frying tofu, we want it to be browned and crispy on the outside. If after 10 minutes it's not done to your liking, cook it for 2 to 5 minutes longer, checking every couple of minutes.
More vegan tofu recipes
And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration & fun!
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Air Fried Tofu with Lemon Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 pound extra-firm tofu drained and pressed, (or use super-firm tofu)
- 1 Tablespoon tamari, (or substitute soy sauce if not following a gluten-free diet)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
For the sauce:
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tablespoon organic sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
Instructions
- Cut the tofu in cubes.
- Place the tofu cubes in a quart-size plastic zipper storage bag. (Or use a glass storage container with a lid.) Add the tamari and seal the bag. Shake the bag until all the tofu is coated with the tamari.
- Add the tablespoon of cornstarch to the bag. Shake again until the tofu is coated. Set the tofu aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and mix with a spoon. Set aside.
- Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer. If you have a basket-style model, you will probably need to do this in two batches.
- Cook the tofu at 390 degrees for 10 minutes, shaking it after 5 minutes. If it's not browned and crispy enough, cook it for 2 to 5 minutes longer, checking every couple of minutes.
- After you're done cooking the batches of tofu, add it all to a skillet over medium-high heat. Give the sauce a stir and pour it over the tofu. Stir the tofu and sauce until the sauce has thickened and the tofu is heated through.
- Serve immediately with rice and steamed vegetables, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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!