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Air Fryer Sweet Chili Tofu Bowls

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Air Fryer Sweet Chili Tofu Bowls offer a delicious, creative twist on classic tofu dishes with a crispy outside and tender inside, coated with a sticky sweet chili glaze. Paired with fresh vegetables and a grain base, this bowl is a harmony of taste and texture, perfect for a quick, healthy meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Plant-Based
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 14 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu pressed and cut into cubes
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch for coating tofu
  • ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce for glazing tofu
  • 1 cup mixed fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots, chopped and steamed or sautéed
  • 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or quinoa grain base of choice
  • sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions for garnish
  • vegetable oil spray for lightly spraying tofu before air frying

Equipment

  • Air Fryer To cook the tofu cubes until crispy
  • Mixing Bowl To toss tofu with cornstarch and sauce
  • Steaming Pot or Skillet To cook vegetables until tender-crisp

Method
 

  1. Press tofu for at least 20 minutes to remove moisture, then cut into evenly sized cubes.
  2. Place tofu cubes in a mixing bowl, sprinkle with cornstarch and toss gently until evenly coated.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer on air fryer basket, spray lightly with vegetable oil.
  4. Air fry tofu for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking until crispy and golden.
  5. While tofu cooks, chop vegetables and steam or sauté until just tender-crisp to maintain color and crunch.
  6. Toss the hot, crispy tofu cubes with sweet chili sauce until well coated, allowing the sauce to glaze the tofu.
  7. Assemble bowls by layering cooked rice or grains, then topping with saucy tofu and cooked vegetables.
  8. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh, nutty finish.

Notes

  • Press tofu thoroughly to remove moisture and achieve maximum crispiness.
  • Use cornstarch coating for a golden, crispy exterior.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping.
  • Toss tofu with sweet chili sauce only after air frying to maintain crispiness.
  • To keep dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and confirm sweet chili sauce is gluten-free if using.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven covered with foil to preserve texture, or quickly in the microwave in short bursts.

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