Air Fryer Sweet Chili Tofu (Print)

Crispy tofu pieces coated in sweet chili sauce, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a delicious snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu Nuggets

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or rice flour
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil

→ Sweet Chili Sauce

10 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
12 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Garnish

14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

# Directions:

01 - Wrap tofu in a clean towel and place a heavy object on top, allowing it to drain for 10 to 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
02 - Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized nuggets approximately 3/4 to 1 inch each.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Toss the tofu nuggets in the coating mixture until evenly covered on all sides.
05 - Drizzle oil over the coated tofu pieces and toss again to ensure complete coverage.
06 - Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
07 - Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
08 - While tofu cooks, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
09 - Transfer the cooked tofu to a large bowl, pour sauce over it, and gently toss to coat all nuggets.
10 - Serve immediately, topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets actually crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, no soggy disappointments.
  • Sweet chili sauce does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so you're not standing there seasoning endlessly.
  • Thirty minutes from start to finish means this works for lazy weeknights or when unexpected guests show up.
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu is non-negotiable—skip this and you'll end up with steamed tofu nuggets instead of crispy ones, which is genuinely disappointing.
  • Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket or they'll trap steam and get soggy instead of crisping up beautifully.
03 -
  • Lightly spray the coated tofu with cooking oil spray before air frying if you want them extra crispy and golden brown.
  • Make the sauce ahead of time—it's actually better when the flavors have time to meld, so you can prep it in the morning if you're cooking dinner.
Go Back