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A quick and easy dinner. Perfectly air fried tofu is combined with a rich, umami and lightly sweet peanut sauce.
Tofu is the number one protein in my life, for others, it might be tempeh, or gardein ultimate chicken tenders (I won't judge, they are a close second for us!) and that means I'm always making it somehow and incorporating it into my meals.
In order to complete this recipe, you will need to make my perfectly air fried tofu. Of course, you do not have to use my recipe, and of course you don't even have to use tofu!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Vegan
- Can be made gluten free
- Can be made soy free
- Super easy to make (under 30 minutes)
🍲Ingredients
📝Notes
Rice vinegar is optional. I like the extra flavor that it adds, plus I'm a vinegar fiend, I add it to nearly everything!
For gluten-free use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Feel free to use regular peanut butter if you do not have the powdered version. The color of the sauce will be different, but it will not affect the taste.
For extra sesame flavor, add some toasted sesame oil.
🔪Making The Sauce
- In a measuring cup or other bowl, add soy sauce or tamari
- Then add your rice vinegar
- Pour in the maple syrup.
- Add in your dry ingredients and using either a whisk, immersion blender, or even one of those coffee frothers, mix the peanut sauce well. If you want to use this as a dipping sauce, place it in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes so that it thickens.
🍳Cooking
In a saute pan on medium heat, add your tofu and peanut sauce, heating thoroughly and coating all tofu pieces in peanut sauce.
Feel free to add sesame oil at this time to give more depth of sesame flavors!
Finish off the dish by adding sesame seeds.
💡Extra Tips & Information
- If using regular peanut butter, you may have to use a little water to thin out your sauce.
- For gluten-free use tamari or coconut aminos/liquid aminos.
- Don't like maple syrup? Use regular sugar or agave syrup. Alternatively, you can use a number of other sweeteners, like brown sugar, brown rice syrup, date syrup, coconut sugar, etc.
- I would not recommend artificial sweeteners like stevia or splenda as the flavor may completely change.
- Experiment with other herbs and seasonings: cumin, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, & ginger would be some popular and delicious add-ins!
- Add some spice with black pepper or siracha/gochujang sauce.
- Enjoy hot or cold. This sauce on cold noodles and veggies is amazing!
- Refrigerate up to 7 days, or 3 months in the freezer.
❓FAQ
You absolutely can! Tofu is just soybeans that have already been boiled. Raw tofu is not only safe to eat, but it is how most Asian countries consume tofu.
Almost anything! Seriously, you can use tofu in savory or sweet dishes. Make sauces or add it to soups, pastas, salads, or just eat as a snack. There is really no limit to what this versatile protein can do.
If you're looking for a way to incorporate high protein and low calories into your diet, tofu is the perfect food.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 saute pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil - optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients and then set aside. (place in refrigerator for 30 minutes if using for cold dish or dipping sauce.)½ cup soy sauce,¼ cup maple syrup,1 tablespoon rice vinegar,2 tablespoons peanut butter powder,1 teaspoon cornstarch,1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Next, heat a saute pan on medium and add the tofu and sauce, stir around constantly until all tofu pieces are coated in sauce and the sauce has thickened and everything is sticking to the tofu nicely.
- You may also add a little sesame oil during this process to give more flavor.1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Serve with a side of rice and top with sesame seeds to finish!
Notes
- Vegan
- Gluten-free: use Tamari or liquid coconut aminos
- For Soy-free - Try a soy free tofu, like pumfu, or hempeh (soy-free tempeh), or nufu (tofu made from nuts).
- If using regular peanut butter: skip the cornstarch and use water to thin if needed.
- Sugar Substitutes: you can use agave, regular sugar, brown sugar, brown rice syrup, date syrup, or coconut sugar. I don't recommend sugar alternatives like stevia simply because of flavor changes. Feel free to try it and report back! Another option would be to skip the sugar entirely.
- Peanut Butter substitute: Can't have peanut butter or don't care for it? Try Almond butter!
- Add ons: You can add in any seasonings you'd like, some possible options are - Cumin, Onion powder, Garlic Powder, Ginger or even something spicy like Siracha
- Storing Instructions - refrigerate up to 7 days, freeze up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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Bree
Crispy, air-fried tofu sauteed in a rich, umami, slightly sweet peanut sauce and coated in toasted sesame seeds. Super quick and super easy to make.
Asher
Loved this!
Bree
Thank you so much, Asher! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!