Air Fryer Sweet Chili Tofu (Printable version)

Golden tofu nuggets with tangy sweet chili sauce, air fried for a crispy, flavorful bite.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tofu Nuggets

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or rice flour for gluten-free
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 2 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or avocado

→ Sweet Chili Sauce

10 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce store-bought or homemade
11 - 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
12 - 1 tsp rice vinegar
13 - 1 tsp sesame oil

→ Garnish

14 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
15 - 2 tbsp chopped green onions

# Directions:

01 - Wrap the tofu in a clean towel and place a heavy object on top. Allow to drain for 10 to 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
02 - Cut the tofu into bite-sized nuggets approximately 0.75 to 1.2 inches 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 coated.
05 - Drizzle the oil over the tofu pieces and toss again to ensure complete coating.
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 the tofu is golden and crispy.
08 - While the tofu cooks, mix the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
09 - Once the tofu is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over and gently toss to coat all nuggets.
10 - Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The outside gets genuinely crispy while the inside stays tender, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
  • You can make a batch in 30 minutes flat, making it perfect for when friends text asking what you're cooking.
  • It works as a snack, appetizer, or tossed over rice—basically your kitchen's new utility player.
02 -
  • Skipping the pressing step will give you disappointing results—I learned this the hard way when I got impatient and ended up with soggy nuggets that mocked me.
  • The oil spray hack mentioned in the notes actually works wonders if your air fryer runs cool—a quick spritz before cooking bumps the crispiness from good to incredible.
03 -
  • Never skip the halfway shake—this is the moment that separates golden from unevenly cooked, and it takes five seconds.
  • If you're serving these cold later, toss them in the sauce right before eating so they stay crispy instead of becoming soggy.
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