Gluten Free Vegan Air Fryer Crispy Tofu

Total time50 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time20 min

Extra-firm tofu gets pressed until dry, then tossed in a savory marinade with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of sesame oil for deep, toasty flavor in every cube. A light dusting of cornstarch is the trick behind that shatter-crisp exterior once the tofu hits the air fryer, turning deep golden brown without a drop of oil beyond what's already in the marinade. Shaking the basket halfway through keeps every side crisping evenly, so you end up with cubes that are craggy and crunchy outside, soft and custardy inside. Finish with a scatter of sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a bit of color and crunch on top. It's a fast, protein-packed bite that works as a snack, a salad topper, or piled over rice, and it's a solid choice to keep on hand for a gluten free menu.

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Ingredients

4 servings

2 blocks (14 oz each) extra-firm tofu
Nasoya Organic Tofu Extra Firm Simple Truth Organic Extra Firm Tofu Franklin Farms Extra Firm Tofu Nature's Promise Organic Extra Firm Tofu Wildwood Organic Extra Firm Tofu
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2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp black pepper

For serving

1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1
Drain the tofu and press each block firmly between several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel for at least 15 minutes, pressing down with your hands or a heavy pan, until the towels have absorbed most of the surface moisture.
2
Cut the pressed tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

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