Baked Tofu in Peanut Sauce

Last Updated on August 13, 2023

This Baked Tofu in Peanut Sauce is so easy to make, full of protein, and BIG on flavor!

Crisp baked tofu in savory rich and creamy peanut butter sauce over rice or rice noodles make for such a satisfying meal.

Packed with a ton of protein from the peanut butter and tofu, it will keep you and your family full for hours!

But what type of tofu do you use for this dish?

The different varieties of Tofu

Tofu is a perfect protein source for vegans and vegetarians that is naturally gluten free.

There are so many different varieties of tofu, making it useful for just about anything.

The tofu found in stores range in firmness, such as extra soft, soft, medium, medium firm, firm, extra firm, and super firm.

Tofu or bean curd is made from soybean milk that is boiled, curdled, and pressed into blocks.

Regular tofu will need to be pressed before using in a recipe, to remove the extra water.

It’s firmness makes it great for stir fries and deep frying.

There is also a silken tofu, this can come in soft, firm, and extra firm.

Silken tofu is never pressed and has a higher water content which gives the tofu a smooth silky texture.

Which makes it perfect to use in smoothies, desserts, dressings, and dips.

What tofu did I use for this recipe?

An organic extra firm or the super firm tofu in block form is what I like to use for this recipe.

The tofu needs to stay firm and keep it’s shape when tossed with a heavier sauce when cooking and serving.

To bread or not to bread the tofu

The tofu does not need to be breaded, but it does help to crisp the tofu before it goes into the sauce.

I dipped my tofu in a mixture of almond milk, salt, pepper, corn, and white rice flour before baking.

Then I finish it with a drizzle of oil before putting it into the oven.

The Peanut Sauce

• Peanut Butter – A smooth or chunky peanut butter with no extra added ingredients works the best. If you can, use an organic peanut butter with no added sugar or salt for the best results.
• Plant Based Milk – I used an unsweetened plain almond milk for this sauce. Try a coconut milk for a alternative. This will make the sauce creamier.
• Soy Sauce – The soy sauce will give this sauce a salty and savory flavor.
• Lime Juice – Adds the tartness to the sauce.
• Sriracha Sauce – Sriracha sauce gives this sauce a tangy-sweet flavor and moderate heat.
• Real Maple Syrup – Maple syrup adds just a hint of sweetness to this dish. The smoky caramel and vanilla flavors of the maple syrup compliments all the ingredients in this sauce.
• Seasonings – Minced garlic, salt and pepper are in this recipe.
• Oils – There are two oils I use in this recipe, avocado and sesame.
  • The avocado oil will add a slight buttery flavor when sauteed with the tofu and vegetables.
  • The sesame oil will add a slight nutty flavor that will compliment the peanut butter.

How to make this Baked Tofu in Peanut Sauce

Prepping the tofu

Drain the tofu blocks and tightly wrap it in a towel to remove as much of the extra liquid as possible.

It is best to press the tofu and let it drain all the liquid for up to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375° F, prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, and set it aside.

Once the tofu has drained, slice the tofu into small bite sized squares.

Add into one bowl, the corn flour, rice flour and in the second bowl, almond milk.

Place the small pieces of tofu into the almond milk, and then into the flour bowl, making sure to cover each piece completely.

Remove the pieces from the bowl and place them onto the parchment covered baking sheet.

Next lightly drizzle a little avocado oil over all the tofu pieces.

Place the baking sheet into the oven for 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, flip the pieces and return to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the pieces are slightly browned.

The Peanut Sauce

In a 2 cup measuring cup, add all the sauce ingredients, mixing everything well, and set aside.

Finishing the dish

Clean and slice the green onion and yellow bell pepper.

On a medium heat in a large skillet, add the oil, onion and bell pepper.

Saute the vegetables for about 7 minutes or until slightly browned.

Once the tofu has slightly browned in the oven, add it to the sauteed vegetables and continue sauteing for a few minutes.

After the tofu and vegetables have sauteed, pour the peanut sauce into the pan and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and serve.

How to serve this Baked Tofu in Peanut Sauce

One of the most common ways to enjoy this dish is on top of your favorite rice.

Another way to enjoy this dish is on top of rice noodles or your favorite pasta.

Or add the baked tofu in peanut sauce on top of your favorite steamed vegetables.

Finish by topping with a few crushed or whole peanuts and enjoy!

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