Crispy Tofu Peanut Sauce (Printable)

Enjoy golden crispy tofu bites with a creamy peanut sauce, perfect for a quick, healthy plant-based meal.

# Components:

→ 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 press for 10 to 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
02 - Cut pressed tofu into 3/4 inch cubes.
03 - In a mixing 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, minced garlic, and chili flakes. Add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Transfer crispy tofu to a serving dish. Drizzle with peanut sauce and garnish with chopped peanuts, scallions, cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets impossibly crispy in just 15 minutes—no deep frying required, no oil splatters on your stovetop.
  • The peanut sauce comes together while the air fryer works its magic, so you're genuinely eating in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • It tastes restaurant-quality but costs a fraction of what you'd pay, and it's naturally vegan without feeling like you're missing anything.
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu isn't optional—skip this step and you'll end up with steamed tofu instead of crispy tofu, a difference that defines the whole dish.
  • The peanut sauce thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than you think you want it at the end, or thin it again with a splash of warm water when serving.
03 -
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—give each tofu cube space to breathe, or cook in batches if you need to; crispy is worth the extra 10 minutes.
  • The residual heat keeps tofu warm for several minutes after cooking, so remove it when it's just shy of where you want it to be, as it'll continue to set.
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