Description
A delicious and easy Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce recipe featuring perfectly baked tofu cubes coated in a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce. This dish is a great plant-based protein option, ideal for a quick lunch or dinner that combines crispy texture with rich, tangy flavors.
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. Add cornstarch and mix well to coat all pieces thoroughly. Rinse and dry the bowl for later use.
- Bake the tofu: Arrange the tofu cubes on a sheet pan in a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tofu is golden and crispy on all sides.
- Make the peanut sauce: While the tofu is baking, combine peanut butter, sesame oil (if using), soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice in the reserved medium bowl. Add a splash of hot water and stir vigorously until smooth. Continue adding hot water little by little until the sauce reaches a creamy, pourable consistency.
- Coat the tofu: Once the tofu is crispy and out of the oven, transfer it to the bowl with peanut sauce. Gently toss the tofu to evenly coat all cubes with the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve the crispy tofu with peanut sauce immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For the crispiest tofu: Press extra-firm tofu or pat super-firm tofu dry, do not skip the cornstarch coating, and avoid overcrowding on the baking sheet.
- To minimize clean-up, reuse the same bowl for preparing the tofu and mixing the peanut sauce, and line the baking tray with parchment paper or foil.
- Adjust peanut sauce thickness by adding hot water gradually, whisking well to reach your desired consistency.
- For a drier peanut coating, toss baked tofu with half the peanut sauce, bake for an additional 5 minutes, then toss with remaining sauce to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
