Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu

Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu is air fried until crispy and then coated in a spicy, sweet and tangy sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa or make it into a wrap. It’s delicious enough on its own to be eaten as is. Even better with steamed broccoli.

I love how quick and easy it is to get foods crispy in the Air Fryer. It’s perfect for making fried foods healthier. Only a minimum amount of oil needs to be used. The Air Fryer circulates plenty of hot air around the food and it magically gets outrageously crispy. Sometimes even better than deep fried. You won’t miss the calories and fat in this Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu.

There’s nothing bland about this tofu. It’s crispy, a little chewy and coated in a super flavorful Asian-style sauce.

To make Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu, press as much liquid out of the tofu as possible. Wrap it in paper towels and place something heavy like a cast iron pan on top. Let it sit about 30 minutes. Alternately, you can use a tofu press.

Next, cut the tofu into cubes and toss to coat in cornstarch, arrowrroot, or tapioca. Drizzle with oil and then air fry for 12 to 15 minutes. Check halfway through and spritz with more oil if needed.

Next make the sauce in a skillet. It literally only takes minutes to make and can be made while the tofu is in the Air Fryer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion and get ready to dig into one of the most deliciously spicy tofu dishes you have ever tasted.

More Vegetarian Recipes

• Vegetarian Lasagna

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Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu

Air Fryer Chili Garlic Tofu is air fried until crispy and then coated in a spicy, sweet and tangy sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa or make it into a wrap. 

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Keyword vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 5

Calories 165 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 package super firm tofu
• 1/2 cup cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons swerve or brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Wrap tofu in multiple layers of paper towels. Place a cast iron pan or something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 minutes. Or you can use a tofu press.

2. Cut tofu into cubes.

3. Place cornstarch in a large zip top bag. Shake to coat. Remove tofu pieces, shaking off excess and place in a medium bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently toss.

4. Place half the tofu pieces in the Air Fryer basket. Set to 370 for 15 minutes. Halfway through open. If they still look powdery, spray them with a little olive oil. 

   Check after about 12 minutes. The cooking time is just an estimate and can vary based on Air Fryer model and size of cubes and brand of tofu.

5. Remove tofu from Air Fryer and set aside. Repeat with remaining tofu.

6. In a nonstick skillet, combine soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, vinegar, sverve, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute.

7. Add sesame oil and tofu and cook and stir for 1 minute.

8. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.

Recipe Notes

Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutritional info is provided as a guide only and can vary based on brands of product used and cooking method.

Recipe adapted from MeatlessMakeovers.com

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