Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

low angle shot of golden brown salt and pepper tofu in a white bowl

4.88 from 24 votes

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu is so delicious, it will make even non-believers into tofu lovers! It’s crispy on the outside, tender inside, and tossed with spicy chile peppers, garlic, green onions, and a mix of flavorful seasonings.

Course Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine Chinese

Keyword air fried, air fryer, salt and pepper tofu, tofu

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Additional Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings Servings

Calories 493kcal

Author Robin Donovan

Ingredients

1 package 14 to 18 ounces firm tofu or extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Oil for spraying or brushing
2 garlic cloves minced
2 green onions thinly sliced
1 to 3 chile peppers thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Pinch ground Sichuan peppercorn optional

Instructions

Drain the tofu (see below for more information on how to do
this.)
Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes.
Toss the tofu cubes in the cornstarch to coat well.
Arrange the tofu pieces in the air fryer basket and spray or
brush all over with oil (please see the note on using oil sprays with air fryers below!)
Air fry to tofu at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until it is beginning to turn golden brown.
Put the minced garlic, green onions, sliced chile peppers, and sesame oil in a medium bowl. When the air fryer finishes the cycle, remove the tofu from the air fryer basket and add it to the bowl with the garlic and chiles. Toss to mix. Return the mixture to the air fryer, spread it out in a single layer, and then air fry again at 375°F for 5 minutes more, until the tofu is golden brown all over.
Garnish with salt, black pepper, white pepper, five-spice powder, and Sichuan pepper, if using.
Serve immediately.

Notes

1. To drain the tofu, you can use a tofu press or you can press the water out by slicing the tofu into 1-inch-thick slabs. Lay the slabs in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with several layers of paper towels or a clean, absorbent dish towel. Lay more towels on top and then place another sheet pan on top of that. Top the sheet pan with several large, unopened cans (like beans or tomatoes) or other heavy objects.
Let stand for at least 20 minutes. An hour is even better.

2. About using spray oil in your air fryer: If you are using a basket-style air fryer with a nonstick basket, don't use cooking sprays (like Pam) that have propellants in them. You can use spray oil that doesn't have propellants, like this Olive Oil Nonstick Cooking Spray with No Propellants in your nonstick basket. Or you can use a refillable Oil Mister. If you are using either a basket style air fryer or an oven style air fryer that has a stainless steel basket, you can use any type of nonstick cooking spray or oil spray. If you prefer, you can use a brush to brush oil onto your food before air frying.

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