Chili in a pod

Air fried Tofu with Sweet and Chili sauce

Creating Asian-inspired appetizer that is ready in about 30 minutes. Cook the tofu in the air fryer and then toss in the homemade sweet chili sauce and you are set. Enjoy this delicious sweet and chili tofu with rice.

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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Tofu – 1 lb (16oz) Extra firm Tofu (pressed for 20 mins), then cut into 1 inch pieces

Sweet Chili sauce – Dark soy sauce, Ketchup, Vinegar, Chili flakes, Cornstarch and Honey (for vegan use maple syrup)

Onion – 1/2 cup chopped Onions

Garlic – 5 to 7 cloves minced garlic

Garnishing – Spring onions, Sesame seeds

Air fryer model – Instant Vortex plus 7 in 1 air fryer oven, 10 QT

HERE ARE MY STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS WITH PHOTOS

STEP 1 : Tofu Preparation

  • Take extra firm tofu and press with heavy object (or tofu presser) to remove excess water and slice them into 1 inch pieces.
  • Add all the tofu pieces to a bowl. Now sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, mix them gently (make sure all the pieces are coated evenly). 

STEP 2 : Air Fried Tofu

  • Grease your air fryer tray with cooking spray.
  • Place tofu pieces in a single row, so that all the tofu has a little bit of space around each pieces. Apply cooking spray again on tofu pieces. You can always bake or shallow fry the tofu as well.
  • Pre heat air fryer to 400*F, place the food tray in the middle rack. Cook for 12 mins, shaking (or flipping) half way through, then continuing to cook.
  • Remove after tofu is cooked and keep aside.

STEP 3 : Sweet Chili Sauce

In a bowl add 1 tbsp of vinegar, 2 tbsp Honey or maple syrup, 3 tbsp of ketchup, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tsp of chili flakes, 1 tbsp of cornstarch (you can use potato starch as well). Mix and make sure that there are no lumps.

STEP 4 :

  • Heat a pan at medium heat and add 2-3 tbsp of oil, then add the minced garlic, 1 tbsp white part of the spring onion greens, dry red chili. Saute for 2 mins 
  • Next add chopped onions and sauté for 4 mins or until onions are caramelized.

STEP 5 :

Pour the sauce into the pan, add 1/4 cup of water and cook until sauce is thick.

STEP 6 : Final Preparation

Add 1/4 tsp of salt, spring onion, air fried tofu to the pan and mix well.

STEP 7 : Serving

Garnish with sesame seeds, spring onions and enjoy this delicious sweet and chili tofu with rice.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Tofu – Make sure to use extra firm or firm tofu. Other types of tofu are too soft and will not crisp up with this recipe.

Substitute – I used Honey, for vegan use maple syrup.

You can replace tofu with paneer (indian cottage cheese) or Soy nuggets or Seitan.

Stove top version – That is the traditional way of cooking the crispy tofu. The only difference is that you have to shallow fry it in oil Or cook in a non stick pan with little oil on medium heat till it is crispy.

Storage – you can refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for 2 to 3 days.

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Air fried Tofu with Sweet and Chili sauce
Print Recipe

Air fried Tofu with Sweet and Chili sauce

Author: sdarunkumar1987 Cooking Method:Air fryer Cuisine:Asian Courses:Main Dinner
Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time (includes air frying time): 20 minutesRest time: 40 minutesTotal time: 30 minutesServings:2 servingsCalories:300 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

Creating Asian-inspired appetizer that is ready in about 30 minutes. Cook the tofu in the air fryer and then toss in the homemade sweet chili sauce and you are set.

Ingredients

    To make Air fried Tofu

    To make Sweet chili sauce

    Other Ingredients

    Garnishing

    Instructions

      Tofu Preparation

    1. Take extra firm tofu and press with heavy object (or tofu presser) to remove excess water and slice them into 1 inch pieces.
    2. Add all the tofu pieces to a bowl. Now sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, mix them gently (make sure all the pieces are coated evenly). 

      3. Air Fried Tofu (Instant vortex plus)

    3. Grease your air fryer tray with cooking spray.
    4. Place tofu pieces in a single row, so that all the tofu has a little bit of space around each pieces. Apply cooking spray again on tofu pieces. You can always bake or shallow fry the tofu as well.
    5. Pre heat air fryer to 400*F, place the food tray in the middle rack. Cook for 12 mins, shaking (or flipping) half way through, then continuing to cook.
    6. Remove after tofu is cooked and keep aside.

      7. Sweet and chili Sauce

    7. In a bowl add all the ingredients in sauce and mix well with no lumps.

      8. Final Preparation

    8. Heat a pan at medium heat and add 2-3 tbsp of oil, then add the minced garlic, 1 tbsp white part of the spring onion greens, dry red chili. Saute for 2 mins.
    9. Next add chopped onions and sauté for 4 mins or until onions are caramelized.
    10. Pour the sauce into the pan, add 1/4 cup of water and cook until sauce is thick.
    11. Add 1/4 tsp of salt, air fried tofu to the pan and mix well.

      12. Serving

    12. Garnish with sesame seeds, spring onions and enjoy this delicious sweet and chili tofu with rice.

    Notes & Tips

    • Tofu – Make sure to use extra firm or firm tofu. Other types of tofu are too soft and will not crisp up with this recipe.
    • Substitute – I used Honey, for vegan use maple syrup.
    • You can replace tofu with paneer (indian cottage cheese) or Soy nuggets or Seitan.
    • Stove top version – That is the traditional way of cooking the crispy tofu. The only difference is that you have to shallow fry it in oil Or cook in a non stick pan with little oil on medium heat till it is crispy.
    • Storage – you can refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for 2 to 3 days.
    Keywords:Easy air fryer recipes, Instant vortex recipes, Air fried tofu, Instant vortex plus recipes