Description
This Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce recipe is a quick and delicious plant-based dish featuring golden, crunchy tofu cubes coated in a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner, it combines simple ingredients with easy preparation for a protein-packed vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 pound super firm tofu, dried and cubed
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Peanut Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Hot water as needed for sauce consistency
- Green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: In a medium bowl, toss the tofu cubes with oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and mix well until each piece is coated with cornstarch. Rinse and dry the bowl for later use.
- Bake the tofu: Arrange the tofu cubes on a lined sheet pan in a single layer without overcrowding. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tofu is golden and crispy.
- Make the peanut sauce: While the tofu bakes, combine peanut butter, sesame oil (if using), soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice in the reserved bowl. Add a small splash of hot water and stir well until smooth. Gradually add more hot water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired creamy consistency.
- Toss tofu with sauce: Once the tofu is crispy, transfer it back to the bowl with the peanut sauce. Gently toss the tofu to coat all pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onion and serve the crispy tofu with peanut sauce immediately while warm.
Notes
- For the crispiest tofu: Press extra-firm tofu or pat super-firm tofu dry thoroughly, do not skip the cornstarch coating, and avoid overcrowding the tofu while baking.
- To minimize clean-up: Reuse the same bowl for tossing tofu and making the sauce, and line the baking tray with parchment paper or foil.
- To adjust the sauce consistency: Add hot water gradually, a splash at a time, and whisk until the texture is creamy but pourable.
- For a drier peanut coating: Toss half the peanut sauce with the baked tofu and bake for an additional 4-6 minutes before adding the remaining sauce to serve.
