• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Greenbowl2soul
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Snacks
    • Side dishes
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main course
    • Sweet Treats
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Us
×

Home » Snacks

Chili Garlic Tofu

Published: Jul 16, 2020 · Modified: Dec 16, 2020 by Vandana Chauhan. This post may contain affiliate links.

334 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe

Chili garlic tofu is a simple Asian dish that can be served in the main course with rice and noodles or enjoyed as an appetizer. It gets ready in 20 minutes, needs a handful of ingredients, and tastes amazing.

A tofu cube picked up with chopsticks over a bowl of chili garlic tofu

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How much I love tofu can be guessed from the number of tofu recipes on my blog which is still quite new. I can never have enough of it.

However, as shared earlier also my first experience with Tofu wasn't that pleasant and I had to throw the entire pot of the first tofu dish I ever tried at home.

Later, I learned the correct way of making tofu and now you will always find at least one block of tofu in my fridge.

Today's recipe- Chili garlic tofu is one of my simplest tofu recipes yet it's my favorite.

If you love garlic and you love some heat in your food then I am sure you will also love hot garlic tofu.

Close up shot of chili garlic ofu

Making this tofu dish is very simple. You just need to toss tofu cubes with some chili oil, garlic powder, salt, and bake.

While the tofu is getting baked saute garlic and spring onion white in a pan. Add the sauces, chili oil, sugar, salt, pepper. Cook for about a minute, add baked tofu cubes, and spring onion greens. Saute for a minute and it's ready.

Isn't it very easy? Still, it tastes amazing.

Type of tofu to use

Use extra-firm tofu in this recipe.

It's best to remove the excess moisture of tofu by using a tofu press. If you don't have that, just cover the tofu block with a clean kitchen towel or tissue paper and press with something heavy. Like here I have used a jar of beans.

Leave it like that for around 15-20 minutes and then cut the tofu block in small cubes.

This step is optional but recommended as once the extra moisture comes out of tofu pores, it absorbs the seasoning flavors in a better way.

Type of chili oil to use

Use Asian chili oil in the recipe which is easily available in almost every Asian store.

However, instead of buying from the market I always make my own chili oil at home. If you want, you can check my 5 minutes easy homemade chili oil recipe.

Chili oil is used in a lot of Asian dishes like this easy chili garlic noodles. So, if you like Asian food, I would suggest keeping a jar of chili oil in your kitchen- either store-bought or homemade.

How to serve

Chili garlic tofu can be served with any rice or noodle dish in the main course.

You can also enjoy it as an appetizer. I also love adding it to my Asian buddha bowl or stuffing in my Asian wraps.

Recipe tips and tricks

  • Remove the excess moisture from tofu by using a tofu press or pressing it with something heavy.
  • To marinade tofu, use fewer chili pieces and more oil from the chili oil. You can also strain the chili oil and then use it in the marination.
  • Don't over-bake the tofu cubes otherwise, they will lose all the moisture and become chewy.
  • Vegetarian oyster sauce can also be replaced with any other Asian stir fry sauce of your choice.
  • Instead of spring onion, bok choy or spinach can be used too.

More easy tofu recipes

Looking for more easy tofu recipe ideas? Don't miss to check the following recipes:

  1. Vietnamese tomato tofu
  2. Tofu in peanut sauce
  3. Pineapple tofu
  4. Orange tofu
  5. Tofu fried rice

If you try any of my recipes then please don’t miss to rate it in the comments section below.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Step by step photo instructions

Collage of 4 photos showing the steps of making chili garlic tofu
Collage of 4 photos showing the steps of making chili garlic tofu
Hot garlic tofu served on a white snack plate
A tofu cube picked up with chopsticks over a bowl of chili garlic tofu

Chili Garlic Tofu

Chili garlic tofu is a simple Asian dish that can be served in the main course with rice and noodles or enjoyed as an appetizer. It gets ready in 20 minutes, needs a handful of ingredients, and tastes amazing.
4.38 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, snacks
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 304kcal
Author: Vandana Chauhan

Ingredients

  • 3.5 cups tofu cubes extra firm
  • 1 tbsp grated garlic
  • 1 cup chopped spring onion keep the green and white part separated
  • 2.5 tbsp chili oil 1.5 tbsp + 1 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce/ any other Asian stir fry sauce of your choice
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar white sugar can also be used
  • Salt as per taste

Instructions

  • Put the tofu cubes in a large bowl. Add 1.5 tbsp of chili oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Toss until all the cubes get evenly coated. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for around 12-15 minutes.
  • In a bowl mix 1 tbsp chili oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper. Keep it aside.
  • Heat cooking oil in a pan. Add grated garlic and spring onion white. Saute for a few seconds and then add the sauce mixture. Cook for about a minute.
  • Add baked tofu cubes and spring onion green. Saute for about a minute and then switch off the gas.
  • Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve in the main course with a rice or noodle dish.

Notes

  1. Instead of oyster sauce, you can also use any other Asian stir fry sauce of your choice.
  2. You can also add bok choy or spinach to the dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 562mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 332IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram #greenbowl2soul

More Snacks

  • Pumpkin energy balls (no bake recipe)
  • Chilli Baby Corn
  • Baked plantain
  • Veg Quesadilla (Quesadilla with vegetables)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Loretta Fleming

    August 17, 2020 at 9:28 pm

    4 stars
    Love your recipes

    Reply
    • Vandana Chauhan

      August 18, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Thanks a lot, Loretta.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Vandana Chauhan profile picture

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. My name is Vandana Chauhan and I am on a mission to explore vegan/ vegetarian recipes from around the world. I am delighted to welcome you to join me on this exciting journey.

More about me →

Popular recipes

  • Mixed bean salad balela (Middle Eastern style)
  • Easy Chili Garlic Noodles
  • Vegan savoury muffins with tomato, corn, and caramelized onion
  • Veg Chow Mein
  • Greek black eyed pea salad
  • Vegan Kung Pao Noodles with Charred Broccoli

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • About

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Greenbowl2soul

334 shares
Scroll Up