1. Press the tofu: Drain the tofu and press for at least 30 minutes using a tofu press or by placing between paper towels with a heavy object on top. Change paper towels halfway through to remove maximum moisture.
2. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat for at least 3 minutes.
3. Cut the tofu: After pressing, cut the tofu into ¾-inch cubes. Try to make them uniform in size for even cooking.
4. Season the tofu: In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and olive oil. Gently toss tofu cubes in the liquid mixture, then toss in the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.
5. Air fry: Place the coated tofu in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Don’t overcrowd! Work in batches if necessary. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the tofu halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
6. Make the optional sauce: While the tofu cooks, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
7. Serve: Enjoy the crispy tofu as is, toss with the prepared sauce, or add to your favorite dish.

Notes:

• For oil-free version, omit the oils and use 1 tablespoon of vegetable broth plus 1 teaspoon of maple syrup instead.
• The tofu can be marinated for up to 30 minutes before coating with cornstarch for more flavor infusion.
• For meal prep, store the crispy tofu separate from sauces or wet ingredients to maintain crispness.

Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 3 servings):

Calories: 190, Fat: 12g, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 14g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Sodium: 340mg

Storage Tips:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to re-crisp.