Description
This Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce recipe delivers a perfect blend of crunch and creamy peanut flavor. Featuring super firm tofu baked to crispy perfection and coated in a rich, savory peanut sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice, it's a satisfying vegetarian dish ready in just 30 minutes.
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)
Garnish
- Green onion (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: In a medium bowl, toss the dried cubed tofu with 3 tablespoons of oil until evenly coated. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and mix well to cover all tofu pieces. Set the bowl aside for later use after rinsing and drying it.
- Bake the tofu: Arrange the coated tofu cubes on a sheet pan in a single layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tofu is golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Make the peanut sauce: While the tofu bakes, combine 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil (if using), 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of lime juice in a small bowl. Add a splash of hot water and stir vigorously until smooth. Add additional hot water gradually to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency.
- Combine tofu and sauce: Once the tofu is crispy and out of the oven, transfer it back to the reserved bowl. Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the tofu and gently toss to coat each piece evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can air fry or pan-fry the tofu instead of baking.
- Use super firm tofu and press it well to remove excess moisture before cooking to enhance crispiness.
- Adjust the peanut sauce consistency by adding hot water a little at a time for your preferred thickness.
- Low-sodium soy sauce helps control saltiness, but regular soy sauce can be used if preferred.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts or cilantro for added texture and flavor variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
