This sweet chili baked tofu recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner. This comes together super quickly and saves well for leftovers! Tofu is such a versatile ingredient because it takes on any flavor you season it with. The sauce also has the perfect ratio of sweet and spicy.
I made my own sweet chili sauce, but there are many in the stores that already premade! However, most of the ones on the market are full of sugar, which is why I prefer to make my own! Here is one from YASI THAI that has pretty good ingredients.
Here are some other vegan Asian recipes on my blog!
- Chili oil noodles with tofu
- Vegan poke bowl with dynamite sauce
- Vegan orange tofu
- Vegan spring rolls with a peanut dipping sauce
Key ingredients for sweet chili baked tofu:
- Tofu
- I used extra firm tofu and I pressed out the moisture by placing the tofu block in between two paper towels.
- White pepper
- White pepper is my favorite seasoning when it comes to Asian cooking. A lot of recipes don’t call for white pepper, but I think it adds such a unique flavor!
- Sambal oelek
- This is a chili paste that you can find in any grocery store now a days! I like to use the chili garlic one!
- Rice vinegar
- This adds a more sour flavor to the sauce to make it sort of like a sweet and sour flavor!
- Tamari
- Adds a nice salty umami flavor! Use tamari to keep it gluten free!
- Agave nectar
- I decided to use a liquid sweetener since I did not heat this sauce up in a sauce pan. You can also sub with honey or maple syrup.
- Red pepper flakes
- This adds a little extra spice.
- Corn starch
- Corn starch helps the sauce thicken up when it is microwaved.
Sweet Chili Baked Tofu
This sweet chili tofu recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner. This comes together super quickly and saves well for leftovers! Tofu is such a versatile ingredient because it takes on any flavor you season it with.
Ingredients
- 14 oz tofu
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp low sodium tamari
- 2 tbsp agave nectar
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 375F.
- Next, place the tofu block in between two towels and press the liquid out with a heavy object.
- Cut the tofu into 1" cubes and sprinkle them with salt and white pepper.
- Transfer the tofu to a wire rack over a baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes.
- In the mean time prepare the sauce by combing all the ingredients under the sweet chili sauce group except for the cornstarch.
- Once the sauce is mix thoroughly, add in the cornstarch and microwave in 30s intervals until it thickens up.
- Once the tofu is done baking, toss them in the bowl with the sauce and coat them evenly.
- Top with some green onion and sesame seeds!
- Serve with some rice or veggies!
