This delicious Baked Sesame Tofu recipe is a combination of sweet, salty and slightly spicy flavors. By first pressing out the moisture from the tofu, then tossing it with cornstarch and baking it at high heat this recipe results in a tofu that is the perfect crispy texture and will have you continue reaching for more.
In prior years, tofu had a bad rap as being mushy and flavorless. That's not the case anymore, as long as you cook it properly. This method of first pressing out the extra moisture results in a tofu that is ready to soak up the marinade to yield a finished product with a nice chewy texture that is loaded with flavor. The extra step of adding cornstarch also works to ensure that the final product is not mushy. With this easy method, I've been able to win over the pickiest of tofu critics - my kids! They are now tofu lovers and will devour an entire pan like it's candy.
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free as is and can easily be made gluten-free by following the variation below.
Looking for other easy tofu recipes like this baked tofu recipe? Try this Curried Tofu Salad.
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this Sesame Tofu recipe:
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- light brown sugar
- low-sodium soy sauce
- toasted sesame oil
- sriracha sauce
- cornstarch
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here's how to make this Baked Sesame Tofu recipe:
1. First, cut the block of tofu into Combine all spices into 3 slabs.
2. Then, place a kitchen towel on a large plate or sheet pan, top with tofu, then another towel and another plate or sheet pan. Place this stack in the refrigerator and weigh it with heavy objects for at least 30 minutes, and up to a few hours.
3. After the tofu has been pressed, cut it into cubes. For the sticky sesame sauce, in a medium bowl, stir together the sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar and sriracha sauce. Add the tofu to the sesame sauce, stirring gently to coat. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and stir gently to coat.
4. Spread the coated tofu cubes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 450 for 30 minutes, until the tofu is golden brown, stirring halfway through cooking. Once the tofu is done baking, serve immediately with desired garnishes.
Hint: A tofu press can make the process of pressing the moisture out of the tofu even easier.
Substitutions
Want to substitute an ingredient in this Baked Sesame Tofu recipe? Here's how:
- Soy sauce - use an equal amount of tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce.
- Sesame oil - use an equal amount of peanut oil or vegetable oil in place of the sesame oil.
- Brown sugar - use an equal amount of an alternative sweetener such as honey or coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar.
- Sriracha sauce - use an equal amount of chili garic paste in place of the sriracha sauce.
Variations
Try one of these variations of this Baked Sesame Tofu recipe:
- Spicy - double the amount of sriracha sauce to add extra heat to your tofu.
- Gluten-free - use an equal amount of tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce and be sure to check the labels on all of your ingredients to verify they are indeed gluten-free.
- Deluxe - garnish the cooked tofu with black sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor and texture.
- Sweet and sour - to add some tanginess to the tofu, add 2 tablespoons of seasoned rice vinegar when mixing the sauce.
Equipment
This equipment comes in handy when making this Baked Sesame Tofu recipe:
Storage
Cooked Sesame Tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. See these instructions for how to properly freeze, store, thaw and reheat cooked tofu.
FAQ
Sesame Tofu is made from extra firm tofu coated in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce and cornstarch for a finished dish that is a great balance of salt, spicy and sweet flavors.
Related
Looking for other easy vegetarian recipes? Try these:
Pairing
Serve crispy Sesame Tofu with rice and one of these vegetable dishes for a balanced meal the whole family will love:
Recipe
Sesame Tofu
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- First, cut the block of tofu into Combine all spices into 3 slabs. Then, place a kitchen towel on a large plate or sheet pan, top with tofu, then another towel and another plate or sheet pan. Place this stack in the refrigerator and weigh it with heavy objects for at least 30 minutes, and up to a few hours.
- When you're ready to cook the tofu, preheat the oven to 450.
- After the tofu has been pressed, cut it into cubes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar and sriracha sauce. Add the tofu, gently stirring to coat. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and stir gently to coat.
- Spread the coated tofu onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 450 for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Serve immediately once the tofu is done baking.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Shannon
The dish that made my kids like tofu!