Crispy Baked Tofu Spicy Peanut (Printable version)

Golden baked tofu with zesty creamy peanut sauce—perfect for mains, salads, or wraps.

# What you need:

→ For the Crispy Tofu

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For the Spicy Peanut Sauce

06 - 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
07 - 1½ tbsp soy sauce
08 - 1 tbsp lime juice
09 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar
10 - 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 2-3 tbsp warm water

→ For Serving

13 - 2 spring onions, sliced
14 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
15 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Steamed rice or cooked noodles

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Drain tofu and pat dry. Wrap in a clean towel, place a heavy object on top, and press for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
03 - Cut tofu into ¾-inch cubes. Transfer to a bowl and toss with cornstarch, olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
04 - Spread tofu cubes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
05 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, sriracha, and garlic. Add warm water 1 tbsp at a time until smooth and pourable.
06 - Transfer baked tofu to a large bowl. Pour peanut sauce over and toss to coat. Serve topped with spring onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Pair with rice or noodles if desired.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The crispy tofu exterior creates this perfect texture contrast against the creamy sauce
  • This peanut sauce keeps in the fridge for weeks and makes everything taste better
  • You can prep everything in under 15 minutes then let the oven do the work
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu is not optional here, the drier it starts the crispier it will get
  • Crowding the baking sheet will steam the tofu instead of crisping it, give each cube breathing room
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, so add water one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency
03 -
  • Let the tofu cool for just 5 minutes after baking before tossing with sauce, this keeps the texture perfect
  • Warm water helps dissolve the peanut butter faster and creates a smoother sauce

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