Chilli Tofu {Bold Flavors, Light Twist}

Looking for a hearty & easy dinner idea the whole family will love? Try this twist on the classic Indo-Chinese Chilli Paneer! Instead of deep-fried paneer, I use air-fried marinated tofu-it’s lighter, quicker, and just as flavorful. While the tofu crisps up in the air fryer, you can sauté the peppers and onions, making it a perfect multitasking meal for busy evenings. Wholesome, versatile, and packed with bold flavors—this Chili Tofu recipe is a must-try.

No air fryer? Don’t worry! You can pan-fry or bake the tofu instead - I've included detailed instructions in the recipe card. If you’re into meal prepping, check out my guide on How to Cook Tofu to keep your weeknight dinners stress-free and delicious.

Love tofu? Try some of our family-friendly weeknight favorites like Pad Thai with Tofu, Coconut Curry Noodle Soup, and creamy Tofu Makhani.

Ingredients

Note: A recipe card with exact ingredient measurements and instructions is available at the end of this post. The ingredient photo and details included here are just to give you a clear visual reference of what you’ll need for the recipe, ensuring you know exactly what to gather before you start.

• Extra Firm Tofu: My favorite is the Nasoya brand Extra Firm tofu (available in most US grocery stores or Costco) and Trader Joe's high-protein super-firm tofu.
• Vegetables - Red and green peppers and red onions bring a lovely color contrast to the dish. Feel free to use any color peppers you have on hand!
• Kashmiri Red Chili Powder: vibrant red chili powder with mild heat and a full flavor with a hint of smoke.
• Ginger: zesty, slightly sweet, warming spice.
• Garlic: adds savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
• Dark Soy: darker, thicker, more aged, slightly sweeter, and less salty than other soy
• Chili Garlic Sauce: spice paste of chilis, garlic, and vinegar found at any Asian grocery 
• Green Chili: available in most Indian stores green chili adds a nice kick to this dish

How to Make Chilli Tofu

• 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.
• Combine Kashmiri red chili powder, salt, black pepper, ginger paste, garlic paste, vinegar, water, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour in a medium bowl.

• Add the tofu pieces to the marinade.
• Coat them well and marinate for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.

• Lightly spray the bottom of the preheated 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.

• 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.

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