These air fryer chicken thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy in the middle! Ready in just 12 minutes, they make a speedy and delicious dinner. Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer coconut shrimp, air fryer steak, air fr…
These air fryer chicken thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy in the middle! Ready in just 12 minutes, they make a speedy and delicious dinner. Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer coconut shrimp, air fryer steak, air fryer hamburgers, and air fryer turkey breast next. I love quick and…
The secret to making the juiciest boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer is marinating them with yogurt. They come out delicious! Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs These Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are on my dinner rotation multiple nights of t…
The secret to making the juiciest boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer is marinating them with yogurt. They come out delicious! Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs These Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are on my dinner rotation multiple nights of the week, and you can enjoy them so many ways. Greek yogurt not only […]
This budget-friendly protein-packed tofu is begging to be the center of attention at your dinner table. If you’re looking to fire up a Meatless Monday tradition, or you’ve been on the tofu train for a long time, this Air Fryer Tofu is super easy and tastes great. I toss extra firm tofu in a simple soy sauce marinade and then drizzle with honey, sesame seeds, and green onions after it’s crisped up in the air fryer. The texture comes out perfect and the flavor profile is an easy hit with tofu experts and novices alike!
I remember when my relationship with tofu first started about 20 years ago. Tofu could be found in a big bucket of water in the bottom of a cooler at the health food store, and I had to fish it out with tongs. I remember thinking, “What IS this stuff?!” The various options for firm, extra firm, soft, or silken were hard to come by back then, but now tofu is experiencing a much-deserved Renaissance!
You can find tofu everywhere– and the variety! (Swoon.) Already marinated, soft, extra firm, cut into chicken-like shapes, you name it. Even your local Walmart or Aldi probably has it. We don’t have to break the bank at luxury grocery stores to find it any longer and thank goodness that container full of tofu and water is a thing of the past.
What is Air Fryer Tofu?
Delightfully crispy on the outside with a delightfully chewy center, this Air Fryer Tofu is good enough to convert anyone into a tofu lover. The freezing step of the tofu is one you won’t want to skip! It gives it a dense texture that holds up great with all kinds of sauces. I attempted many different recipes for Air Fryer Tofu, trying to keep things as easy and inexpensive as possible. This recipe yielded the best result every time!
You can add whatever herbs or seasonings you like to this recipe, but the soy sauce and sesame oil are keepers; they add umami and savory notes to otherwise bland tofu. Tofu is so versatile and easy to add flavor to with whatever marinade ingredients you like best.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make crispy air fryer tofu:
Extra Firm Tofu: This type of tofu holds up best to air frying. It holds its shape well, and it has a chewier texture than firm or regular tofu.
Sesame Oil: Adds a hint of nuttiness to the tofu and helps it brown in the air fryer.
Cornstarch: Absorbs excess moisture to create a super crispy coating. My recipe calls for much less than other recipes I have seen and this helps the texture big time!
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness!
Sesame Seeds: Add a great crunch to the tofu.
Green Onion: Adds a pop of fresh onion flavor.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve this crispy air fryer tofu is over this delicious coconut rice! The slightly sweet and nutty flavor pairs so well with the savory, crispy tofu! For dipping, I love this sweet chili sauce (pictured) or homemade sweet and sour sauce.
Tips and Notes
Extra firm or super firm tofu works best. Firm tofu will also work, but the texture won’t be quite as dense. I do not recommend regular or silken tofu for this recipe, as neither holds up well.
Don’t skip freezing the tofu! It creates a denser, spongier texture that has a meatier chew.
If you like your tofu crunchier (and less chewy), you can press it between clean kitchen towels using a tofu press, a stack of books, or a heavy pan for 30-60 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Pat dry and freeze 1 block of extra firm tofu for 1 hour, minimum.* Remove the tofu from the freezer and allow it to thaw to the point where it can be cut with a knife.
Dice the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes. Gather soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
Toss the cubed tofu with soy sauce and sesame oil. Then, lightly dust the dressed tofu with cornstarch, tossing or stirring until each piece is lightly covered.
Transfer to an air fryer basket and fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Garnish with a drizzle of honey, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or over a bed of white rice.
Pat dry and freeze 1 (16-oz.) block of extra firm tofu for 1 hour, minimum.* Remove the tofu from the freezer and allow it to thaw to the point where it can be cut with a knife. (Notice the difference in texture with the frozen tofu on the left and the unfrozen on the right.)
Dice the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes. Gather 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch.
Toss the cubed tofu with soy sauce and sesame oil. Then, lightly dust the dressed tofu with cornstarch, tossing or stirring until each piece is lightly covered.
Transfer to an air fryer basket and fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Garnish with 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp sesame seeds, and 1 sliced green onion. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or over a bed of white rice.
Wonderfully chewy and crisp, this air fryer tofu is sure to be a hit!
This air fryer potato wedge recipe yields golden brown, crispy wedges with a fluffy, tender inside. Ready in minutes, they’re the perfect side dish or snack! Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer baked potato, air fryer cauliflower…
This air fryer potato wedge recipe yields golden brown, crispy wedges with a fluffy, tender inside. Ready in minutes, they’re the perfect side dish or snack! Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer baked potato, air fryer cauliflower, air fryer corn on the cob, and air fryer chicken wings next. Cooking potatoes…
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I’m on a roll with these air fryer recipes y’all! And since I loved how well my air fryer chicken nuggets turned out, I wanted to try some air fryer chicken tenders next. This time I combined panko and regular breadcrumbs for the perfect texture and I used chicken breast tenderloins to make things super easy. They’re perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a lot fresher than frozen chicken tenders! So get your favorite dipping sauce ready, because these air fryer chicken tenders are perfect for a quick & easy lunch or dinner meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make these crispy air fryer chicken tenders:
Chicken Breast Tenders: I like purchasing the chicken that is already cut into tenders or tenderloins. But you can also make your own tenders by cutting a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into strips.
All Purpose Flour: A light coating of flour helps the egg coating adhere to the chicken.
Eggs: Eggs help the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the chicken tenders. You can also use buttermilk instead of eggs like we did for these air fryer chicken nuggets.
Panko and regular breadcrumbs: I used a combination of panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs. The regular breadcrumbs are finer in texture and provide a more even coating. The panko breadcrumbs give the tenders that crispy crunch that I love. Combined they provide the perfect balance.
Seasoning: A mix of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic & onion powder, flavors the chicken and the breadcrumbs.
Homemade Dipping Sauces
Wanna make your own dipping sauce for these chicken tenders? Well here are some of our favorites:
When adding the breading, roll and press the chicken tenders into the breadcrumb mixture making sure it’s completely coated evenly all the way around.
Don’t crowd the basket. Making sure there is enough space around each chicken tender allows the hot air to circulate evenly and helps the tenders get nice and crispy. So cook the chicken tenders in two separate batches if you need to.
Don’t forget to preheat the air fryer. Similar to preheating your oven, it’s a good idea to preheat your air fryer so the chicken tenders can cook evenly and get crispy on the outside.
Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray and repeat when it’s time to flip the tenders. This also helps the tenders to get crispy on both sides!
Place the chicken tenders on a cutting board. Season them on both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Next sprinkle the flour over the chicken tenders and toss to coat evenly.
In a shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them together. In another shallow bowl, add the regular breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix the seasoning into the breadcrumbs.
Now line up the chicken tenders, beaten eggs, and breadcrumb mixture. Using tongs or your hands, begin to coat the chicken tenders by first dipping them on both sides in the egg mixture, then transfer them to the breadcrumbs. Pat the breadcrumbs into the tenders and coat them evenly on both sides. Set the coated chicken pieces to the side on a clean plate or cutting board.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces overlap. About 4 tenders at a time. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray. Air fry for 7 minutes then flip the chicken tenders over. Spray the tops of the chicken again with cooking spray and air fry for another 6 minutes until golden brown.
Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer basket and repeat with the second batch of tenders. Let the tenders cool for 3-5 minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Step by Step Photos
Place 8 boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders on a cutting board. Season them on both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Next sprinkle 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour over the chicken tenders and toss to coat evenly.
In a shallow bowl, add 2 large eggs and whisk them together. In another shallow bowl, add 1/2 cup regular breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Mix the seasoning into the breadcrumbs.
Now line up the chicken tenders, beaten eggs, and breadcrumb mixture. Using tongs or your hands, begin to coat the chicken tenders by first dipping them on both sides in the egg mixture, then transfer them to the breadcrumbs. Pat the breadcrumbs into the tenders and coat them evenly on both sides. Set the coated chicken pieces to the side on a clean plate or cutting board.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces overlap. About 4 tenders at a time. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray.
Air fry for 7 minutes then flip the chicken tenders over. Spray the tops of the chicken again with cooking spray and air fry for another 6 minutes until golden brown.
Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer basket and repeat with the second batch of tenders.
Let the chicken tenders cool for 3-5 minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Learn how to make an air fryer baked potato that is perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy and soft inside. They are the fastest and most delicious way to cook them! Looking cooking vegetables in the air fryer? Try my air fryer zucc…
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This Air Fryer Asparagus might be the easiest recipe I’ve ever developed, and you know what? I’m not mad about it! Sometimes the simplest method truly is the best, and this crispy asparagus is proof of that. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and it’ll change the way you think about this sometimes polarizing veggie. Did you know asparagus takes 3 YEARS to fully mature so it looks and tastes the way you see it at the grocery store?! For that reason alone, let’s respect this ingredient, keep it simple, and truly let its flavor shine!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Asparagus
Here’s what you’ll need to make air fryer asparagus:
Asparagus: I never have trouble finding a bunch at my local grocery store. However, prices can vary throughout the year, so take advantage of them while they are in season and sometimes on sale. Asparagus is in season during the spring and early summer from the end of March through late May or early June.
Olive Oil: Olive oil helps keep the asparagus spears from burning. It also helps to evenly distribute the seasonings.
Seasoning: A mix of garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper adds just a touch of flavor that pairs well with just about any meal.
Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (totally optional) adds a pop of freshness!
What Else Can I Add to Air Fryer Asparagus?
I love the simplicity of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but feel free to get creative. Try:
Trim only the bottom 1/2-1 inch of the asparagus spears. These woody ends are tough and can be unpleasant to eat. Some people like to use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin at the bottom. I find that method works often, but the ends are usually still too tough for my liking.
Try to leave a bit of space between the spears so they crisp up rather than steaming. You may want to cook the asparagus in batches.
Don’t overcook the asparagus. Overcooked asparagus will go limp and soggy and turn a greyish color. When cooked asparagus turns a brilliant bright green, that typically means it’s done!
Serve this asparagus as soon as it has finished cooking for the best taste and crisp texture.
These air fryer chicken thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy in the middle! Ready in just 12 minutes, they make a speedy and delicious dinner. Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer coconut shrimp, air fryer steak, air fryer hamburgers, and air fryer turkey breast next. I love quick and… 
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