I never thought I’d be one of those people who raves about tofu. Seriously, it was always one of those ingredients that sat in the back of my fridge, silently judging me while I reached for something else.
But then came the day I stumbled upon this crispy sesame tofu recipe, and, well, everything changed. Imagine biting into a perfectly golden cube – crispy on the outside, yet tender and flavorful on the inside – as if it’s wearing a savory sesame suit.
And here’s the kicker: it’s so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along.
Funny enough, I tried it on a whim during a recent TikTok food trend binge (yes, I’m one of those people), and it’s now a staple in my weekly rotation. It pairs wonderfully with everything – from stir-fries to salads or even just straight out of the pan with a side of rice.
It’s like the tofu was always meant to be the star of my culinary show, just waiting for its spotlight moment.
Steps
- Prepare the tofu by cutting a block of extra firm tofu into cubes. Use cooking spray to coat your air fryer rack and arrange the tofu cubes on it, then spray the tofu with additional cooking spray. Air fry the tofu at 375°F for 25 minutes, adjusting time if needed based on your air fryer.
- For baking, preheat your oven to 375°F. Arrange the tofu cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, coat them with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil, and bake for about 40 minutes, turning them halfway through.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients: low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos, water, maple syrup, tomato paste, orange juice, sriracha, grated ginger, crushed garlic, sesame oil, salt, and tapioca flour. Whisk until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce mixture into a medium-sized skillet and heat until it boils. Once boiling, lower the heat to let it simmer, then add the cooked tofu to the sauce.
- Allow the tofu to cook in the sauce over low heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it is evenly coated.
- Serve the sesame ginger tofu hot over your choice of brown or coconut rice, accompanied by a side salad or stir-fried vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu, cut into cubes
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (frozen cube used)
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon tapioca flour (or cornstarch, arrowroot, or regular flour as substitutes)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Brown rice or coconut rice (for serving)
- Side salad or stir-fried vegetables (for serving)
FAQ
- How can I make the sesame ginger sauce thicker?
- To thicken the sesame ginger sauce, you can use tapioca flour as a thickening agent. Alternatively, you can substitute it with cornstarch, arrowroot starch, rice flour, or even regular flour.
- What are the best methods to cook tofu for this recipe?
- There are several methods to cook tofu for this recipe: air frying, baking, or pan-frying. Air frying at 375°F for 25 minutes is quick and efficient. Baking at the same temperature for about 40 minutes yields a great result, and pan-frying requires more attention but gives a crispy texture.
- Can this sesame ginger sauce be used on other proteins or ingredients?
- Yes, the sesame ginger sauce is versatile and can be used on various proteins such as chicken, salmon, or tempeh. It also pairs well with chickpeas and other plant-based options.
- What is a suitable side dish to serve with this sesame ginger tofu?
- This dish pairs well with brown rice or coconut rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables or a salad, creating a balanced and flavorful meal.
- Can I make the sesame ginger sauce in advance?
- Yes, you can prepare the sesame ginger sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator if you plan to serve it to a larger group or want to save time when cooking.
Tips
- Avoid Sticking: When using an air fryer, apply a light coat of cooking spray to the rack before placing tofu cubes to prevent them from sticking.
- Thickening Agent: If you don’t have tapioca flour on hand, you can substitute it with cornstarch, arrowroot starch, or regular flour to thicken the sauce.
- Cooking Time Adjustments: Depending on the model of your air fryer, you might need to add an extra 5 minutes to ensure the tofu achieves the desired crispiness.
- Versatile Sauce: The sesame ginger sauce pairs well with a variety of proteins and vegetables, so consider making a larger batch to use with chicken, salmon, tempeh, or even chickpeas.
Equipment
- Air fryer – for air-frying the tofu.
- Olive oil cooking spray – for coating the tofu and air fryer rack.
- Parchment paper – for baking the tofu if choosing the baking method.
- Medium-sized skillet – for preparing the sauce and combining it with the tofu.