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 Paneer Chilli! 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

• Pat dry the tofu well with paper towels.
• 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 skillet. 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.