Chili Sesame Tofu Fingers
Crispy tofu that is spicy with a hint of sweet and so much flavor! If you think tofu is bland you need to try this recipe and be proved wrong. I like to cut it in long strips but you can cut it into cubes if you like. This is something you can easily make at home and will be a family favorite. I airfried the tofu for this recipe which makes it healthier but you could deep fry it if you like. The sesame and nigella seeds add so much flavor that is my favorite part. Serve it with rice or noodles and make it a complete meal. This recipe is Vegan!
Replace tofu with paneer if you want!
Happy Cooking!
Servings: 3-4 servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Ingredients:
Tofu:
1 block firm/ extra firm tofu
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chili flakes
3/-4 tbsp Corn starch
1 tbsp Flour
Mixture:
4-6 small cloves Garlic minced
1 inch Ginger grated
1 -2 green Chili
1/2 medium onion in thin slices
1 tsp Sesame seeds
3/4 tsp Nigella seeds
1.5 tsp Soy sauce
2 tsp Sriracha
2 tbsp water
1/4 tsp Vinegar
1 tsp Sweet sauce
1.5 tsp Chili flakes as per taste
1/2-1 tsp Salt as per taste
1/4 tsp Pepper
Directions:
Press tofu to remove extra liquid. Use a tofu press or check notes.
Preheat air fryer to 390F.
Slice the tofu block into thick strips. About 8-10 from each block.
Mix together salt, pepper, chili flakes, corn starch and flour.
Coat the tofu strips in the mixture and spray with oil.
Air fry the strips for 13-15 mins at 380F flipping it mid way.
In a pan add sesame oil. Add ginger, garlic and green chilis and cook for 3-4 mins till fragrant.
Add onions and cook for 4-6 mins till they start to brown.
Add the sesame seeds and nigella seeds and mix for 1-2 mins.
Mix the sauces (soy sauce, sriracha, vinegar, sweet sauce, water) and spices (salt, pepper, chili flakes) together and add it in. Cook till thickens slightly about 2-3 mins.
Add in the air fried tofu strips and coat it well.
Cook for 1-2 mins. Garnish with more sesame and nigella seeds and chopped chives.
Serve immediately with rice or noodles.
Notes/Tips:
If you don’t a tofu press- drain the tofu water that comes in the container. Wrap the tofu block in a paper towel. If it’s a thin paper towel, double wrap it. Place something that is a little heavy on it that presses it down slightly. Let it sit for 20-30 mins.
You can air fry or deep fry the tofu.
You can use maple syrup instead of sweet sauce if you don’t have it.
Make sure the onions are well cooked as they add so much flavor.
Optional: Add 1/4 tsp Ajinomoto/MSG when you add the salt, pepper etc.
Serve this immediately so that it is crispy.
