Crispy Tofu Peanut Sauce (Printable)

Golden crispy tofu bites paired with a rich, creamy peanut sauce for a flavorful and healthy plant-based dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
04 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Peanut Sauce

08 - 4 tablespoons natural peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
10 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
12 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
17 - 2 tablespoons sliced scallions
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves
19 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top. Let it press for 10 to 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
02 - Cut pressed tofu into 3/4 inch cubes.
03 - In a bowl, toss tofu cubes with soy sauce and oil. Sprinkle with cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.
05 - Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tofu is crispy and golden.
06 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Serve crispy tofu hot, drizzled with peanut sauce. Garnish with chopped peanuts, scallions, cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually gets crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, no soggy disappointments.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes, which means you can pull off an impressive dinner without the stress.
  • The peanut sauce comes together while the tofu cooks, so there's barely any waiting around.
  • Works as a main dish, appetizer, or even a protein boost for salads and grain bowls.
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu isn't optional—I learned this the hard way by skipping it, and the tofu turned out rubbery instead of crispy.
  • If your peanut sauce breaks or looks too thick, just whisk in a bit more warm water rather than starting over.
  • The tofu continues to crisp up slightly as it cools, so don't panic if it looks slightly soft when you first take it out.
03 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket more frequently if you're cooking in a smaller appliance—every 4 to 5 minutes keeps everything cooking evenly.
  • If you find natural peanut butter too runny, you can use regular peanut butter in the sauce, though it won't have quite the same depth.
  • Make the peanut sauce ahead and let it sit for an hour so the flavors have time to meld together more fully.
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