A spin-off to the favored Indo-Chinese language Chilli Paneer, right here is my Chilli Tofu recipe utilizing further agency tofu as an alternative of paneer. Bursting with spicy-tangy goodness and a touch of sweetness, this Vegan model is filled with a vibrant medley of colourful peppers and onions, seasoned with contemporary ginger, garlic, inexperienced chilies, and chili sauce.

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Searching for a hearty & simple dinner thought the entire household will love? Do that twist on the traditional Indo-Chinese language Chilli Paneer! As a substitute of deep-fried paneer, I exploit air-fried marinated tofu-it’s lighter, faster, and simply as flavorful. Whereas the tofu crisps up within the air fryer, you possibly can sauté the peppers and onions, making it an ideal multitasking meal for busy evenings. Healthful, versatile, and filled with daring flavors—this Chili Tofu recipe is a must-try.
No air fryer? Don’t fear! You possibly can pan-fry or bake the tofu as an alternative – I’ve included detailed directions within the recipe card. If you happen to’re into meal prepping, take a look at my information on How you can Cook dinner Tofuto maintain your weeknight dinners stress-free and scrumptious.
Love tofu? Strive a few of our family-friendly weeknight favorites like Pad Thai with Tofu, Coconut Curry Noodle Soup, and creamy Tofu Makhani.
Components
Word: A recipe card with precise ingredient measurements and directions is obtainable on the finish of this submit. The ingredient photograph and particulars included listed here are simply to offer you a transparent visible reference of what you’ll want for the recipe, guaranteeing you recognize precisely what to assemble earlier than you begin.

- Further Agency Tofu: My favourite is the Nasoya model Further Agency tofu (out there in most US grocery shops or Costco) and Dealer Joe’s high-protein super-firm tofu.
- Greens – Purple and inexperienced peppers and pink onions deliver a beautiful shade distinction to the dish. Be happy to make use of any shade peppers you’ve available!
- Kashmiri Purple Chili Powder: vibrant pink chili powder with delicate warmth and a full taste with a touch of smoke.
- Ginger: zesty, barely candy, warming spice.
- Garlic: provides savory, and barely spicy flavors.
- Darkish Soy: darker, thicker, extra aged, barely sweeter, and fewer salty than different soy
- Chili Garlic Sauce: spice paste of chilis, garlic, and vinegar discovered at any Asian groceryÂ
- Inexperienced Chili: out there in most Indian shops inexperienced chili provides a pleasant kick to this dish
How you can Make Chilli Tofu
- Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place a weight on prime (I like to make use of a chrome steel pot) to press out the surplus moisture. Then, reduce it into 1-inch cubes.
- Mix Kashmiri pink chili powder, salt, black pepper, ginger paste, garlic paste, vinegar, water, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour in a medium bowl.


- Add the tofu items to the marinade.
- Coat them properly and marinate for 10 minutes when you prep the greens.


- Frivolously spray the underside of the preheated air fryer basket with oil. Prepare the tofu items within the basket, guaranteeing to not overcrowd them for a crispy texture. Frivolously spray oil over the tofu.
- Cook dinner at 400°F for 10 minutes. As soon as accomplished, take away the air-fried tofu and set it apart.


- Warmth oil in a medium pan. Add white scallions, ginger, garlic, and inexperienced chili, and sauté for 1-2 minutes till the garlic turns mild golden and fragrant.
- Add the onions and peppers and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, chili garlic paste, sugar, and water. Pour this into the pan and cook dinner for 1 minute, stirring always.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook dinner till the sauce thickens barely. Decrease the warmth.




- Simply earlier than serving, toss the air-fried tofu into the pan and cook dinner till every thing is heated, taking care to not overcook the onions and peppers.
- Garnish with scallions and serve scorching.


Serving
We love serving Chili Tofu over steamed Jasmine Rice or Hakka noodles for a satisfying and hearty meal. For a enjoyable appetizer, garnish with sesame seeds and scallions, then add some toothpicks for straightforward grabbing!
Storing
Calm down any leftovers utterly, then switch it to an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. Heat up in a skillet over medium warmth, including a splash of water or sauce to keep up the moisture. You may as well reheat it within the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
As a make-ahead meal, retailer the tofu and the sauce individually if potential, and mix them when reheating.
Recipe
Chilli Tofu {Daring Flavors, Mild Twist}
A lightweight spin on Chilli Paneer by utilizing tofu and air-frying to create crispy perfection—no deep frying wanted! The result’s a guilt-free, flavor-packed dish that’s each bit as satisfying as the unique.
Servings:4
Energy:208kcal
Directions
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Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place a weight on prime (I like to make use of a chrome steel pot) to press out the surplus moisture. Then, reduce it into 1-inch cubes.
-
In a medium bowl, mix Kashmiri pink chili powder, salt, black pepper, ginger paste, garlic paste, vinegar, water, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. Add the tofu items and coat them properly. Let the tofu marinate for 10 minutes when you prep the greens.
Air Frying Tofu (See notes for various)
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for five minutes. Frivolously spray the underside of the air fryer basket with oil. Prepare the tofu items within the basket, guaranteeing to not overcrowd them for a crispy texture. Frivolously spray oil over the tofu.
-
Cook dinner at 400°F for 10 minutes. As soon as accomplished, take away the air-fried tofu and set it apart.
Getting ready the Greens
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Warmth oil in a medium pan. Add white scallions, ginger, garlic, and inexperienced chili, and sauté for 1-2 minutes till the garlic turns mild golden and fragrant.
-
Add the onions and peppers and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
-
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, chili garlic paste, sugar, and water. Pour this into the pan and cook dinner for 1 minute, stirring always.
-
Add the cornstarch slurry and cook dinner till the sauce thickens barely. Decrease the warmth.
Ultimate Step
-
Simply earlier than serving, toss the air-fried tofu into the pan and cook dinner till every thing is heated by means of, taking care to not overcook the onions and peppers.
-
Garnish with scallions and serve scorching.
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and frivolously grease it.
- Place the marinated tofu in a single layer on the sheet, guaranteeing to not overcrowd.
- Bake for 25-Half-hour, flipping midway by means of, till golden and crispy on the sides.
Pan-Frying Tofu:
- Warmth 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan over medium warmth.
- Add tofu items in a single layer and cook dinner for 3-4 minutes on both sides till golden and crispy, flipping gently as wanted.
Vitamin
Energy:208kcal |Carbohydrates:21g |Protein:11g |Fats:10g |Saturated Fats:1g |Polyunsaturated Fats:3g |Monounsaturated Fats:5g |Trans Fats:0.03g |Sodium:1855mg |Potassium:475mg |Fiber:4g |Sugar:8g |Vitamin A:1641IU |Vitamin C:87mg |Calcium:76mg |Iron:2mg