Name: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 300g / 10oz tofu (extra firm); 1½ tbsp cornstarch; ½ tsp Chinese 5-spice mix; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 red chilli; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 clove garlic (large); 2½cm / 1 inch ginger root (cut into thin matchstick); 2 green onions (sliced); 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

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Crispy and savoury, these air fryer tofu bites, topped with fried red chillies, ginger, garlic and sliced green onions, are packed with flavour and will have you reaching for more!

Fan of tofu? Check out Hoisin Glazed Crispy Tofu and Creamy Egg Tofu Scramble!

Plate of air fryer tofu bites with cop sticks and side dish of green onions

Although it took me a while to get into tofu, I’ve recently had a lot of fun playing around with different ways of cooking with it. With a subtle taste of its own but the ability to soak up all sorts of flavours, there are a million ways to turn it into a great meal or intriguing snack.

Because they can be turned into such a flavoursome snack, I love the idea of bite-sized pieces infused with spice. It didn’t take a lot to turn these morsels into tasty treats!

To make them even better, the coating crisps up nicely when added to an This is an affiliate link.air fryer. Tender on the inside with a bit of crunch on the outside is the perfect combination!

As an added bonus, I’ve sautéed a spicy chilli pepper with sliced garlic and thin ginger sticks. It’s the perfect foil to the silky tofu bites, and really take this recipe to the next level!

Crispy tofu bites

These air fryer tofu bites are such a lovely mouthful, the perfect mix of crispy and tender. They benefit so much from both the coating and being cooked in an air fryer.

There are several types of tofu, but I found that extra firm tofu works the best for this recipe. What makes it unique is in the name – it’s extra firm – so it has less moisture and holds its shape better than softer varieties. This makes it a good option for uses such as pan frying, stir frying, or deep frying.

Less moisture doesn’t mean no moisture though. Take the time to get the liquid out before cooking or it will be impossible to get the right texture.

Air fryer tofu recipe

The tofu bites are coated with cornstarch, Chinese 5 spice mix, garlic powder and salt. Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes and toss it in the spice mixture to coat them evenly.

Place them in the air fryer and cover evenly with cooking spray, tossing to make sure that all sides are covered. Make sure they are in one layer so they cook evenly. I also tossed the tofu bites halfway through cooking. It’ll take about 10 minutes, or until they are crispy on the outside and soft inside.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make these in the oven. Cook at a slightly higher temperature – 220C/425F – for about 12 minutes.

Process shots showing the assembly of the dish

Crispy chilli garnish

A garnish isn’t essential for these crispy tofu bites, but they do make a tasty snack into something special. I’ve chosen a garnish that matches the Asian flavour in the tofu bites while bringing a bit of heat.

I’ve made it by frying thinly sliced red chillies with equally thin pieces of garlic and fresh ginger cut into thin matchsticks. It can be made while the air fryer tofu bites are cooking and only takes a small amount of time on the frying pan.

The one thing to avoid here is burning the garnish. Keep a close eye on it while cooking and remove it as soon as it looks done.

Take it out of the oil by a slotted spoon if you have one and place it on a paper towel. This allows the oil to drain away so just the crispy garnish is left.

Air fryer tofu bites on a plate with peppers and garlic

Recipe Tips and Notes

Tofu naturally has a fair amount of liquid inside, which causes a problem in recipes where you want it to hold its shape. To combat this, wrap it in paper towel and weigh it down with a heavy object to squeeze the liquid out. It will take a minimum of 30 minutes.
I’m a fan of using an air fryer because of how quickly it warms up and how effective it is at creating crispy exteriors. To cook in an oven, use a slightly higher temperature – 220C/425F – and cook for 12 minutes.
The garnish will be coated in a fair amount of oil when it is removed from the pan. It’ll be a bit too much if added directly to the tofu bites, so place it on a couple layers of paper towel to drain.

Serving suggestions

As lovely as these would be as the centrepiece of a light lunch, I had an appetizer in mind when I created the recipe. They are the perfect bite-sized parcels for grazing, and light enough to save some appetite for dinner.

For a bit of freshness I’ve added a green (spring) onion as well, plus sesame seeds if I feel like it. Sprinkle all of the garnish over the tofu bites when they are plated. Tastes good, and looks good too!

Storage and leftovers

Any leftover tofu bites will last for up to 5 days in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container and in the fridge.

The best way to reheat the tofu bites is by returning them to an air fryer. They will take about 5 minutes. Or place them in an oven set to 220C/425F for 5-7 minutes or until they are hot enough.