🌿🌶️ Vegan Tofu Meatballs: Sweet Chili Glazed & Delicious! 🌿🌶️✨
Ingredients:
- 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu, pressed and drained (396g)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, gluten-free if needed (45g)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying or baking
- For the Sweet Chili Glaze:
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Directions:
1. Prepare Tofu Balls: Crumble pressed tofu into a mixing bowl. Add breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed), nutritional yeast, soy sauce (or tamari), sesame oil, garlic powder, grated ginger, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands until combined.
2. Form Tofu Balls: Roll the tofu mixture into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
3. Cook Tofu Balls:
- Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium-high heat. Fry tofu balls in batches for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place tofu balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
4. Make Sweet Chili Glaze: In a saucepan, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, maple syrup (or agave), sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until glaze has slightly thickened.
5. Glaze Tofu Balls: Add cooked tofu balls to the saucepan with sweet chili glaze. Toss gently to coat tofu balls evenly with the glaze. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until glaze is sticky and heated through.
6. Serve: Garnish sweet chili tofu balls with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot as an appetizer or snack.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes | Calories per Serving: Approximately 300-400 (depending on serving size and cooking method) | Number of Servings: 4-6 servings (as appetizer)
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