Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place on a plate. Set a 5-lb weight on top (like a heavy skillet or cans) and press for 15-20 minutes to remove moisture. Pat dry after pressing.
14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu
Slice the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes. Toss in a bowl with soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger powder, and sesame oil if using. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb flavor. Drain excess marinade before coating.
14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 0.5 tsp ginger powder
Add cornstarch to the tofu cubes in the bowl. Toss until evenly coated and no clumps remain. Shake off excess starch to avoid gummy spots.
1-2 tbsp cornstarch
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket with at least 1-inch space between pieces. Lightly spray with neutral oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, then shake basket or flip pieces. Cook another 5-10 minutes until golden brown with crispy edges.
1 tbsp neutral oil, 14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu
Remove tofu once edges are golden and surface feels firm. Drizzle with sesame oil if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions and chili flakes. Serve immediately for best crispiness or cool for meal prep.
1 tsp sesame oil, green onions, sriracha or chili flakes, lemon or lime juice
