Crispy Sesame Tofu Bowl with Peanut Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Pressing tofu
10 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
275 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Crispy Sesame Tofu Bowl with Peanut Sauce
Description
This recipe starts by making a peanut sauce from smooth peanut butter, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, chili paste, maple syrup, ginger garlic paste, and hot water to adjust consistency. Firm tofu, pressed to remove moisture, is cut into rectangles and coated in a mixture of peanut sauce and cornstarch, which helps the sauce adhere and crisp during baking. The tofu is then rolled in a mix of white and black sesame seeds to form a crunchy crust.
Baked in a preheated oven at 400ºF, the tofu develops a crispy coating while maintaining a tender interior. The sesame seeds add nuttiness and a toasted crunch. The tofu is served atop a bed of lettuce or other greens, accompanied by thinly sliced bell peppers, cucumber or carrots, and optional pickled radish, contributing freshness and bite.
This bowl offers a combination of textures and flavors, from the creamy peanut sauce and crisp sesame crust to the fresh vegetables. Variations include using different chili sauces or peanut-free versions using sunflower seed butter. The dish can also be served as a filling in wraps for a portable meal.
Ingredients
For the peanut sauce:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter smooth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or use tamari for gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or use Gochujang, or other Asian chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste or use minced ginger garlic plus 1/2 tsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup water hot
For the tofu:
- 14 oz firm tofu pressed for at least 15 minutes, or extra firm tofu
- 1/4 cup of the peanut sauce from above
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
For the bowl:
- lettuce or greens of choice
- 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 cup cucumber thinly sliced, or carrots
- pickled radish or cucumber, other crunchy veggies, optional additions
- peanut optional, chopped
Instructions
- Make the peanut sauce; In a medium bowl add all the peanut sauce ingredients and mix really well until combined and set aside. Add more hot water a tbsp at a time if needed to make a drizzle-able sauce. (You can also blend them in a small blender. If using a blender, you can add whole garlic clove and 1/4 inch ginger instead of mincing)
- Make Sesame Tofu: Press the tofu if you haven’t already then cut it into rectangles or squares. In a small bowl add 1/4 cup of the prepared peanut sauce and the cornstarch and mix really well.
- Add the tofu to the sauce and make sure all the sides are coated.
- In another shallow bowl add the sesame seeds and transfer the coated tofu to the sesame seeds bowl to coat on all sides or just the top and sides. Repeat with all the tofu slices. You might need more sesame seeds depending on the size of the tofu slices.
- Place the coated tofu on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (205ºC). Bake the tofu in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Check at the 18-minute mark if the tofu is done otherwise bake for 2-4 more minutes.
- Remove the tofu from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare your bowl by adding the greens, sliced bell peppers, cucumber, peanuts, etc as you like. Place the baked tofu in the bowl. Drizzle with peanut sauce and serve.
- To store: refrigerate the sesame tofu separately in a closed container for upto 4 days.
Notes
- To make wraps, add greens to a tortilla, layer with sesame tofu, vegetables, and peanut sauce, then roll up to serve.
- For a peanut-free option, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- To make soy-free, omit soy sauce and add 1/4 teaspoon salt; use chickpea or pumpkin seed tofu alternatives instead of soy tofu.
- Press tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture before coating and baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 275 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 275kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Sodium | 289mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 261mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 958IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 39mg | 43% |
| Calcium | 265mg | 27% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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