Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Golden pan-fried tofu cubes served with a sticky sweet chili sauce for a perfect appetizer or snack. This Asian vegan recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs extra firm tofu, cornstarch, and salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 14 oz extra firm tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, mix 1/3 cup cornstarch with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Toss the tofu cubes gently in the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated, shaking off excess.
  4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  5. Step 5: Add tofu cubes in a single layer and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
  6. Step 6: Remove tofu from skillet and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce over the warm tofu, tossing gently to coat.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately.

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