Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (2024)

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An easy, deliciously tasty Air Fried Tofu snack is crispy on the outside and delightfully soft inside. With four simple ingredients it’s quick to prepare and comes our great every time!

If you are an adventurous foodie try this recipe that transforms simple tofu into a crispy snack without any messy flours or powders.

Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (1)

Jump to Recipe

So, let me ask you, low carb tofu snack, are they delicious enough to give them a try?

Let’s prepare an air fryer tofu snack:

You might wonder can you prepare a restaurant-style tofu snack at home?

What?

Restaurant-style air fryer tofu snack at home. Is it even possible? Yes, my friend.

This Keto-Friendly Air Fried Tofu recipe makes impossibly crispy fried tofu snacks without any flours or powders and fewer calories than traditional deep frying in just a few minutes.

🥘Ingredients for the Tofu Snacks:

  • 16 ounces extra-firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

👨🏿‍🍳How to prepare low carb air fryer tofu:

1.) First, Press the tofu: Take a cutting board and line it with a clean towel. Next, cut the tofu into cubes or whatever the shape you like on the board.

Set a cookie sheet or another cutting board on top and then something heavy, like a cast-iron skillet.

2.) Press for at least 15 minutes. Or you can use a use a tofu press if you have one.

3.) Take a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in it.

Now add the pressed tofu to a bowl and drizzle the marinade over them.

Toss gently to coat the pieces gently but be careful not to break them up. Let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes or chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

4.) Next, Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer so the pieces don’t touch each other.

5.) Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Cook at 390°F or 198C for 10 minutes and shake the basket. Let them cook for another 5 -10 minutes or until you reach desired crispiness.

6.) Serve while hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips& FAQ’s:

Is tofu keto-friendly?

Tofu is low in carbs and high in protein content and is considered keto-friendly. It’s a rich source of protein, minerals, calcium and is an excellent meat substitute.

Several health benefits are associated with tofu as well. It’s is an excellent source of minerals like copper, iron, and selenium.

Can I store leftover low carb air fried tofu snacks in the fridge?

Absolutely yes! It will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge and can re-heated in the air fryer (best option) or in the microwave.

My tofu won’t get crispy; what should I do?

Well, to get the desired crispiness in your tofu snack, follow all the recipe instructions. Press it well to remove extra water from the tofu.

What should I serve with the Tofu Recipe?

  • Soy Sauce
  • Low Carb Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • Keto Sweet Mustard Sauce
  • Spicy Sriracha Mayo
  • Sesame seed oil

That’s all for the Air Fried Tofu Snacks!

Didn’t I say this was easy to make?

If you don’t have an air fryer you can certainly fry these up in a hot cast iron pan but I am not sure how crispy they will get.

And, if you are still on the fence about getting an air fryer, just do it already if you can. They are getting less expensive and once you figure out how tasty they make your food, you’ll use it all the time (not guaranteed 😎).

I was worried that I wouldn’t use mine and that it would be a waste of money and space on my counter. But, I use it a few times a week because it’s so simple to use and super easy to clean.

If you have any questions or comments about the Tofu Snacks please leave them below!

Cheers!

Brandy

Crispy Air Fried Tofu Snacks

Brandy

This Keto Friendly Air Fried Tofu recipe makes impossibly crispy fried tofu snack without any cornstarch and fewer calories than traditional deep frying.

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Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (3)Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (4)

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine Keto

Servings 4 servings

Calories 77 kcal

Equipment

Air Fryer

Chefs Knife

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces extra-firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

  • Press the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes or whatever shape you like and on a flat surface such as a cutting board lined with paper towels or a clean towel. Set a cookie sheet or another cutting board on top then something heavy, like a cast iron skillet. Press for at least 15 minutes. Or use a tofu press if you have one. Your towel will be soaked.

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (5)

  • In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (6)

  • Add the pressed tofu to a bowl and drizzle the marinade over them. Toss gently to coat the pieces but be careful not to break them up. Let the tofu marinate for at least 15 minutes or let them chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (7)

  • Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer, so the pieces don't touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Cook at 390°F or 198C for 10 minutes and shake the basket. Let cook for another 5 -10 minutes or until you reach desired crispiness.

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (8)

  • Serve plain or with dipping sauce of your choice.

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (9)

Notes

The nutritional information is based on making 4 servings.

Readers Made These Low Carb Recipes Next:

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 9gFat: 3gSodium: 574mgFiber: 1gNet Carbs: 2gFat Ratio per Serving: 35.06%Protein Ratio per Serving: 46.75%Carb Ratio per Serving: 10.39%

Keyword gluten free

Tried this recipe?Mention @ketocastleinthemountains or tag #ketocastleinthemountains!

The nutritional information for the Air Fried Tofu is provided as a courtesy so you can figure out your personal macros in a flash.

We are pretty careful about our figures but if you ever feel like anything is off please feel free to do your own calculations.

Crispy Air Fried Tofu Recipe - An Easy Low Carb Snack! (2024)

FAQs

Is tofu good for a low carb diet? ›

Tofu is low in carbohydrates. 100 grams of regular tofu, for example, only contains 1.2 grams of carbs, making it suitable for those observing a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Other tofu varieties are also low in carbs. Tofu can also be a good source of healthy fats and protein.

Why is my tofu not crispy air fryer? ›

If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary! Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it's crisp and browned around the edges.

What is a substitute for cornstarch in crispy tofu? ›

If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can try a substitute such as potato starch or arrowroot starch. Salt and pepper: You can also add additional seasonings like garlic and onion powder, paprika, nutritional yeast, etc.

Can you eat fried tofu on keto? ›

And firm tofu can make for some of the easiest tofu to cook with. Many of these recipes can be made with baked tofu or with deep-fried or shallow-fried tofu. Bear in mind that frying will raise the fat content of your tofu, therefore making it more suitable for a ketogenic diet.

Can I eat tofu every day? ›

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

Can you lose weight on the tofu diet? ›

The effect of eating tofu with weight loss has been proven on many studies. Specifically, people who follow the tofu diet from 2 months to 1 year will lose an average of 4.5 kg. Therefore, this food has been and is appearing popular in many people's weight loss, diet, and vegetarian menus.

Is air-fried tofu unhealthy? ›

Crispy and Delicious.

With a few easy but critical steps, your tofu will turn out firm, crispy, and delectable. PLUS! Since air fryer tofu uses very little oil to crisp, it is much healthier than regular deep-fried tofu, which is completely submerged in oil.

Do I need to press tofu before air frying? ›

This recipe for air fryer tofu is, hands down, the best way to get delicious, super crispy tofu with a soft middle! This recipe is easy to make, has terrific crunchy texture, and is done in about 12 minutes—so quick! For best results, use firm or extra firm tofu and press the tofu before cooking.

Why can't I get my tofu crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

What starch is best for frying tofu? ›

Soy sauce – Or tamari for gluten free. Cornstarch – This is the secret to the most perfect fried tofu. Cornstarch forms a protective layer around each cube of tofu, which crisps up when added to heat. If you don't have cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca starch also work.

How do you keep fried tofu crispy? ›

I tried coating tofu with various blends of flour, potato starch, rice flour, and corn starch, both pan-frying and deep-frying, and found that the crispest, cleanest-tasting results came from a deep-fry in a simple coating of cornstarch. Crisp fresh out of the fryer, that is.

Is hummus keto? ›

Hummus can definitely be part of your keto diet, but just one or two servings can quickly expend a significant portion of your daily carb allotment. If you do eat hummus, you'll want to limit yourself to a small amount — perhaps just 2–4 tablespoons (30–60 grams), which provide 4–8 grams of net carbs.

How many carbs are in crispy tofu? ›

Fried Tofu (1 oz) contains 3g total carbs, 1.9g net carbs, 5.7g fat, 4.9g protein, and 77 calories.

What fruits are keto-friendly? ›

Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries. If you're unsure whether the keto diet is right for you or how it may affect your health, consider speaking with a dietitian or your healthcare provider.

Is tofu allowed on slow carb diet? ›

Since tofu is made from processed soybeans and consuming unprocessed, or minimally processed, foods are encouraged, including tofu raises an eyebrow. But for vegans, tofu's high protein content is one of the few ways to meet the requirements of the diet and is, therefore, permitted in moderation.

Is tofu high in protein or carbs? ›

Tofu is high in protein and contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. It also provides fats, carbs, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Can tofu replace carbs? ›

Replace 1 carbohydrate-rich food item with tofu.

If you love to eat bread or rice, you can boost your weight loss journey by ditching these food items and substituting them with tofu. Tofu contains lesser carbs, more protein and can help you feel full for long.

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