Tofu can either be incredibly bland or the ultimate ingredient for soaking up flavor. Which do you choose?
If you’re anything like us, you’ll take the tofu with all the FLAVOR! And when it comes to flavor, this recipe delivers.
As an added bonus, it’s simple to make and requires just 8 ingredients.
What is Tofu?
Tofu is a soy-based food that is made from curdling soy milk. It has a mild taste, making it perfect for soaking up flavor in a variety of dishes. It’s also rich in calcium, manganese, copper, selenium, protein, phosphorous, omega-3 fats, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B1.
Origin of Tofu
It’s believed that tofu originated in China during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD). Then about 500 years later, it’s thought to have spread to neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It’s now consumed and enjoyed throughout the world.
You can take a deeper dive into the history of tofu here.
How to Make Crispy Peanut Tofu
After marinating the tofu in tamari, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup, it gets coated in cornstarch to help it crisp up in the oven.
The tofu comes out lightly browned and perfectly crispy. All that’s left to do is give it a sweet & spicy peanutty flavor.
The peanut sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes by whisking tamari, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, and sesame oil in a bowl. Learn more about the origin of this delicious sauce here.
Crispy tofu and delicious peanut sauce combine to make a FLAVORFUL and protein-packed vegan dish.
We think you’re going to love this recipe. It’s:
Extremely flavorful
Perfectly sweet
Not-too-spicy
Simple
Versatile
Super delicious
Enjoy this recipe as is or with any Asian-inspired dish. We love it with our Mango Curry, Noodle-Free Pad Thai, or these Thai Noodle Bowls!
For other flavorful tofu recipes, check out our Almond Butter Tofu Stir Fry, Sesame Eggplant Almond Butter Tofu Bowls, and General Tso’s Tofu Stir Fry.
If you try this recipe let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see what you came up with. Cheers, friends!
Baked Crispy Peanut Tofu
Ingredients
TOFU
- 14 oz extra firm tofu (preferably organic, non-GMO)
- 3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 4-5 Tbsp cornstarch (for crispy tofu! You can try subbing arrowroot, but we haven’t tested it and can’t guarantee the results)
PEANUT SAUCE
- 2 ½ Tbsp creamy peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter)
- 2 Tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos, but add more to taste as it’s less salty)
- 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp sesame oil
FOR SERVING optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Start pressing tofu using a tofu press, or wrap in clean, absorbent towel and set something heavy — like a cast iron skillet or books — on top to press out the moisture. Press for about 15-20 minutes.
- In the meantime, prepare peanut sauce by combining peanut butter, tamari, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, and sesame oil in a small mixing bowl and whisking thoroughly to combine. Set aside.
- Cut pressed tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and add to a large plate. Top with tamari or soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Gently toss to combine using hands or a spoon. Let marinate 2-3 minutes, stirring/tossing occasionally.
- Use a slotted spoon or your hands to transfer tofu to a quart-size or large freezer bag. Add cornstarch 1 Tbsp at a time and toss to coat. Continue adding more cornstarch and tossing until tofu is coated in a gummy, white layer (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
- Transfer tofu to the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping at the 18-minute mark to encourage even baking. It should be firm to the touch, firm on the edges, and slightly browned on the exterior once removed from the oven. Bake slightly longer if needed.
- Heat a large metal or cast iron skillet (12 inch) over medium heat. Once hot, add tofu and the peanut sauce. Toss to coat. Stirring frequently, sauté the tofu for about 2 minutes, or until the tofu is hot and well coated with peanut sauce.
- At this point it’s ready to eat! Enjoy as is or with any Asian-inspired dish. We love it with our Mango Curry, Noodle-Free Pad Thai, or these Thai Noodle Bowls!
Nathalie says
These are absolutely delicious! I put them in the One-Pot Massaman Curry recipe, and they are perfection!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Nathalie! Thank you for sharing! xo
Sue Cooper says
This tofu recipe is sooo good! Even the extended family members who are adamantly opposed to tofu, really liked it! Thank you.
Amazing! We’re so glad you and your family enjoy it, Sue. Thank you for the lovely review! xo