Crispy Sesame Tofu
Crispy Sesame Tofu – a quick, flavorful, and protein-packed dish with a rich, sticky sesame sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners and better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Crispy Tofu:
- 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp Corn Starch
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp White Pepper
For the Sesame Sauce:
- 4 tbsp Soy Sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp Vegetarian Hoisin Sauce
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar or maple syrup
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil toasted
- 1 Tbsp Corn Starch for slurry
- 2 clove Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Ginger grated
- 1 tsp Red Chili Flakes optional, for heat
- 4 tbsp Water
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds toasted
- 2 Scallions thinly sliced
Equipment
Instructions
Prepare the Tofu:
- Press the tofu for 20-30 minutes (ideally overnight) to remove excess moisture.
- Break the tofu apart into bite sized pieces by hand to create an interesting texture that will crisp up nicely.
- Toss the tofu with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and white pepper. Let it marinate for 5–10 minutes.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and gently toss until evenly coated.
Air-Fry the Tofu:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F (190°C).
- Transfer the tofu to a parchment lined air fryer tray or an air fryer bucket.
- Air-fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Sesame Tofu:
- In a pan over medium low heat, add a tablespoon of oil and allow it to heat up. Sauté the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes for about 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil.
- Mix the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) and add it to the sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens (about 1–2 minutes).
- Add the crispy air fried tofu to the pan and toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Press the tofu properly to remove excess moisture—this helps achieve the best crispy texture.
- Use a non-stick pan or well-seasoned skillet to prevent sticking.
- For extra crispiness, double fry the tofu by pan-frying, letting it cool, and frying it again.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding a little water if it thickens too much.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 250kcal
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