Description
Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce is a deliciously bold and creamy dish featuring golden baked tofu cubes coated in a rich peanut sauce. Perfect as a satisfying main course or side, this recipe is quick to prepare in 30 minutes using simple ingredients like super firm tofu, peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice. The tofu is baked until crispy and then tossed in a smooth peanut sauce for an irresistible flavor combination, garnished with fresh green onions.
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
- Coat Tofu: In a medium bowl, toss the cubed tofu with 3 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cornstarch over the tofu and mix thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated. Rinse and dry the bowl to use later.
- Bake Tofu: Arrange the coated tofu cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through to ensure even crisping. Remove when golden and crispy.
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: While the tofu bakes, combine 3 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 teaspoon sesame oil (if using), 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon lime juice in a small bowl. Add a splash of hot water and stir until smooth. Gradually add more hot water until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Toss Tofu with Sauce: Transfer the baked crispy tofu to the reserved clean bowl. Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the tofu and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly without breaking them.
- Serve: Garnish the tofu with sliced green onions and serve immediately while the tofu remains crispy and the sauce is fresh.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can air-fry or pan-fry the tofu instead of baking.
- Use super firm tofu to ensure it holds its shape and crisps well.
- Adjust the consistency of the peanut sauce with hot water according to your preference.
- Low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- Adding sesame oil is optional but adds a pleasant nutty flavor.
- This recipe yields about 2 to 4 servings depending on portion size and can be doubled for larger groups.
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
