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chilli tofu in a white bowl garnished with sesame seeds
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5 from 1 vote

Chilli Tofu {Bold Flavors, Light Twist}

A light spin on Chilli Paneer by using tofu and air-frying to create crispy perfection—no deep frying needed! The result is a guilt-free, flavor-packed dish that’s every bit as satisfying as the original.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 208kcal

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon ginger diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 green chili sliced
  • ½ cup white scallions chopped
  • 1 cup red onion cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 cup red pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup green pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup green scallions chopped

Instructions

  • Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place a weight on top (I like to use a stainless steel pot) to press out the excess moisture. Then, cut it into 1-inch cubes.
  • In a medium bowl, combine Kashmiri red chili powder, salt, black pepper, ginger paste, garlic paste, vinegar, water, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. Add the tofu pieces and coat them well. Let the tofu marinate for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.

Air Frying Tofu (See notes for alternative)

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the tofu pieces in the basket, ensuring not to overcrowd them for a crispy texture. Lightly spray oil over the tofu.
  • Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Once done, remove the air-fried tofu and set it aside.

Preparing the Vegetables

  • Heat oil in a medium pan. Add white scallions, ginger, garlic, and green chili, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic turns light golden and aromatic.
  • Add the onions and peppers and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, chili garlic paste, sugar, and water. Pour this into the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Lower the heat.

Final Step

  • Just before serving, toss the air-fried tofu into the pan and cook until everything is heated through, taking care not to overcook the onions and peppers.
  • Garnish with scallions and serve hot.

Notes

Baking Tofu:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  2. Place the marinated tofu in a single layer on the sheet, ensuring not to overcrowd.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy on the edges.
Pan-Frying Tofu:
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add tofu pieces in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy, flipping gently as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1855mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1641IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg
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