Crispy Tofu Fries (in the Air Fryer)

Hot, crispy French fries are the ultimate fast food indulgence and everyday comfort food. But crispy tofu fries made in the air fryer manage to improve on perfection. Say goodbye to greasy gut bombs and hello to clean plant-based protein!

If you adore these air fryer tofu fries, make sure to check out these tasty grilled tofu kebabs, a batch of flavorful polenta fries or sizzling buffalo wings made from tofu! If you’re hungry for more plant-based air fryer recipes, we have a whole collection that have been tried-and-tested and are well loved.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Tofu Fries Recipe

• High Protein. Every serving of tofu fries comes with 10 grams of complete plant protein. That’s better than many granola bars on the market!
• Low or No Oil. If you’re watching your fat intake, you don’t have to give up the sensation of deep-fried foods when you have an air fryer in the kitchen. All it takes is one teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, which can be omitted if desired.
• Family-Friendly. Kids of all ages (including so-called adults) will love this savory treat! Even tofu-haters will clean their plates without a second thought.
• Quick and Easy. It’s tough to make smart choices when you’re tired and hungry. Eliminate the struggle and get this recipe on the table in 30 minutes or less.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

• Tofu – Extra-firm or super-firm tofu is ideal to make fries that stand up to air frying without falling apart. These are usually sold in vacuum-sealed packages in the produce department. We used the extra-firm tofu from Hodo Foods, which worked perfectly!
• Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder are our go-to meal starters, but don’t let those suggestions hold you back. Adjust the amounts to taste.
• Toasted Sesame Oil – Savory toasted sesame oil is a vegan pantry staple in our opinion, right next to olive oil and vegetable oil. A little bit of toasted sesame oil goes a long way. Swap it out for canola oil or your favorite vegetable oil.
• Cornstarch – If you have an air fryer, cornstarch will become your best friend. Cornstarch is the secret to getting super crispy edges on tofu, whether you’re pan-frying, baking, air-frying, or deep frying. You can substitute an equal amount of potato starch or tapioca starch if you’d prefer.
• Nutritional Yeast – Butter, cheesy, and undeniably umami, nutritional yeast simply makes everything taste better!

How To Cut Tofu Into Tofu Fries

The average block of tofu may not immediately look like thin shoestring fries waiting to happen, but it’s very simple to slice out perfect matchsticks in minutes.

1. First, slice the tofu into long rectangular strips approximately 1cm wide. You should have 7 to 8 long strips, depending on the shape of your tofu.
2. Next, cut the tofu slab in half so you have two equivalent rectangles that look like two decks of playing cards.
3. Finally, slice each rectangle into two or three fry-sized strips (depending on the size and shape of your block of tofu) approximately 1cm wide.
4. Voila, you have tofu fries! Now separate and season.

Ideas For Creative Spices

A little creativity and a well-stocked spice rack will take your tofu to the next level.

• Cajun Tofu Fries – Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, depending on how spicy you’d like your fries, and cook for a few extra minutes to enhance the “blackened” effect.
• Garlic Tofu Fries – Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic in the last 4 minutes of cooking. Top with minced fresh parsley and a sprinkle of vegan Parmesan, if desired.
• Truffled Tofu Fries – Top the finished fries with truffle-infused salt or a light drizzle of truffle oil right before serving.
• Masala Tofu Fries – Add 1 tablespoon masala powder or madras curry powder and finish with a squeeze of lime juice and minced fresh cilantro.
• Hot Vegan Honey Tofu Fries – Toss the finished fries with 1 tablespoon vegan honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup and 1 to 2 teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce.
• Herbed Tofu Fries – Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence before cooking. Toss with minced fresh parsley, dill, and/or scallions right before serving.
• Cornmeal-Crusted Tofu Fries – Replace the nutritional yeast with coarsely ground yellow cornmeal for an extra crunchy coating.
• Peanut-Crusted Tofu Fries – Replace the nutritional yeast with powdered peanut butter. Add 1 teaspoon lime zest and ½ teaspoon ground ginger to make it taste like satay!

Pro Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make the process even more enjoyable and effortless.

• Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. This helps prevent crumbs from falling through the bottom and allows for instant cleanup. Just toss it when you’re done cooking!
• If using firm tofu, take a few minutes to press it for a better texture. Super firm has a perfectly dense interior for this recipe, but medium firm tofu is a bit softer. While it still works brilliantly straight out of the package, you’ll get a more satisfying bite if you can extract some of the excess water.
• Blot tofu dry before seasoning. Moisture is the enemy of crispy food, so you’ll get better results if you take the time to wrap the block of tofu in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove any water still on the surface.

Dips & Sauces for Your Tofu Fries

Any sauce or condiment you like is fair game here, but here are my top picks:

• Marinara
• Vegan Cheese Dip
• Hummus
• Artichoke dip
• Caramelized onion dip
• Vegan Ranch
• BBQ sauce
• Ketchup & Mustard
• Sriracha (or your favorite hot sauce)

FAQs About Tofu Fries