Print

Sweet Chili Tofu Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 6 reviews

Sweet Chili Tofu Balls are a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer or main dish featuring crispy tofu balls coated in a sweet and tangy Korean-inspired chili sauce. This recipe combines air-fried tofu with a vibrant sauce made from gochujang, sesame oil, and vinegar, delivering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Ideal for serving with steamed rice or noodles, it is a delightful vegetarian dish packed with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • 1/4 cup water plus 1-2 tbsp more to adjust consistency
  • 1 tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or regular white vinegar

Tofu Balls

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15 pieces air-fried tofu balls (see homemade recipe or use meatballs of your choice)

For Serving

  • Chopped green onions or scallions for topping
  • Sesame seeds for topping
  • Steamed rice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix together water, gochujang, tomato ketchup, sesame oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and rice vinegar. Adjust the mixture to your taste and consistency by adding more water if needed.
  2. Sauté garlic: Heat a large pan over medium heat, add the oil, and sauté the minced garlic until it becomes aromatic and lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Cook the sauce: Add the prepared sauce to the pan and let it simmer over medium heat until it boils and slowly thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  4. Add tofu balls: Add the air-fried tofu balls to the sauce and gently toss them to ensure they are well coated. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with 1-2 tablespoons of water as desired.
  5. Simmer and coat: Allow the tofu balls to cook in the sauce for 1-2 minutes so they absorb the flavors and are fully coated.
  6. Finalize and serve: Turn off the heat. Garnish with additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the tofu balls hot with steamed rice or noodles and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can substitute tofu balls with meatballs or plant-based alternatives as preferred.
  • Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of gochujang.
  • To make tofu balls at home, press and drain tofu well before shaping and air frying or baking until crispy.
  • The sauce can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure the ketchup and gochujang used are gluten-free.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/sweet-chili-tofu-balls-recipe/