Crispy Sesame Tofu

This Crispy Sesame Tofu will make you a tofu believer if you weren’t one already. I know tofu seems intimidating (and/or gross if we are being honest) to a lot of people, but I think it tastes like whatever you put on it, making it the perfect blank slate for so many meals. I promise, this is the easiest and best tofu recipe you will every try!

This crispy tofu is made in the air fryer with the option to pan-fry or bake, making it a great option to add to any easy weeknight dinner.

For a delicious way to use this tofu,  try this Vegan Kung Pao Tofu. 

For more easy vegan air fryer recipes check out these Crunchy Baked Chickpeas, Air Fried Black Beans, or Crispy Air Fried Brussels Sprouts. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Delicious and versatile – This tofu can be the main course all by itself, or toss it in a salad or any other dish for some added flavor! It goes especially well with my Vegan Fried Rice.
• Quick & easy – If you can use a knife, you can make this recipe. Choose to pan fry,  air fry, or bake and it is ready in just 30 minutes!
• Protein packed – One serving of this vegan recipe 10 grams of protein making this an easy way to add protein to your meals. 
• Meal Prep – This tofu will last up to 1 week in the fridge, making it the perfect protein addition to your meal prep.

Ingredients

• Extra firm tofu – Extra-firm tofu is important here for the best texture, but if you are just looking for the flavor, you could use firm. I would not suggest a softer variety.
• Toasted Sesame Oil – Not only does toasted sesame oil have amazing flavor, but it is a high-heat oil. This means you can use it to pan-fry at high temps without it burning off and smoking too quickly. Please make sure you have chosen a high-heat oil like sesame or avocado oil – NOT OLIVE OIL!
• Soy sauce – Any variety of soy sauce or tamari works well with this recipe.
• Optional: Top with white sesame seeds, chopped green onions or red pepper flakes.

Helpful Equipment

In addition to measuring cups and spoons, the following equipment is helpful for this recipe:

• Tofu press (optional) or heavy object like bookend
• Chef’s knife
• Air fryer
• Silicone liners (optional)
• Tongs (optional)

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

This is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make this recipe including photographs. For the quick version, skip ahead to the recipe card below!

Prepare the Tofu

Begin by pressing the block of tofu to remove the excess moisture. If you have a tofu press, this is quite easy! If you are like me and cannot imagine storing one more gadget in your kitchen cabinets, you can use two plates, paper towels, and a heavy object instead. Also very easy.

Just line both plates with a paper towels to absorb the excess liquid, place the tofu between them, and place the heavy object on top. I used my bookend as shown below.

Let the tofu sit for 5-10 minutes to remove the excess liquid.

Season the Tofu

After the tofu has been pressed, cut it to the desired size. I chop it into about 1.5-inch cubes, but you could choose any shape or size you’d like, just be aware that it may change the cooking time slightly.

Next, place the tofu cubes into a large bowl and pour the sesame oil and soy sauce overtop, tossing gently until all the liquid is absorbed and each piece of tofu is coated fully.

You can cook this right away or let marinate in a covered bowl in the fridge for up to 2 hours.

Just place the tofu into the air fryer basket in a single layer. I use silicone liners to reduce waste, but you can use aluminum foil or place the tofu directly into the basket.

Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Pan Fried Tofu

Place the tofu in an even layer on a flat skillet or griddle pan.

Pan-fry the pieces over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Oven-Baked Tofu

Follow the instructions as described above, then place the tofu cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes, flipping after about 10-15 minutes. This will also give a lovely crispy texture. 

Variations

This air fryer tofu recipe is a simple, unbreaded variety. If you are looking for a spin on this recipe, try serving it with a savory sesame sauce or peanut sauce.

The air fryer gives the tofu perfectly crispy edges, but if you are looking for more of a crispy coating on the tofu, you can toss it in a mixture of corn starch, onion powder, and garlic powder before air frying. 

How to Store Crispy Sesame Tofu

• Fridge: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
• Reheat: Toss into the air fryer again at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes or zap for 30 seconds in the microwave.

More Tips

• Not Vegan? Use the sesame oil and soy sauce combination as a marinade for chicken.
• Gluten Free? Choose a certified gluten-free tofu variety and substitute soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.

Last Updated on February 18, 2025