The best peanut tofu recipe ever! Crispy caramelized edges with a soft center coated in a divine creamy peanut butter sauce then piled up high over the most luscious tropical noodles. Quick, easy and oil free!
Peanut Tofu
The perfect recipe for when you are craving something hearty, filling and comforting but also clean and healthy. My go to recipe for a night in or to share with company. Easy + crazy DELICIOUS these peanut tofu Buddha bowls deliver in both flavor and texture on every level.
For the past few months my goal has been to get my new Air Fryer and all the blocks of tofu piled up in the cold drawer of my refrigerator to make tasty magic together. Have you tried my scramble or orange tofu yet ? Not to be missed!
Ingredient Notes
- The Tofu – You’ll need a firm block that is pressed well. My favorite way to crisp up the edges without drying the center is the air-fryer method. It’s just perfect, however you could bake it or pan sear instead if you prefer.
- Noodles – organic buckwheat soba noodles dressed in this exotic basil mango sauce or an oil-free mango avocado sauce. Any whole grain ramen noodles like spelt or millet/brown rice will also work just fine.
- Peanut Butter – for the best sauce it’s important to start with a creamy peanut butter without any added oils or mysterious ingredients. The label should simply read: roasted peanuts + salt.
how to make the tofu peanut sauce
- Whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar and a pinch of garlic powder until combined. (Use Tamari to make the sauce gluten-free).
- Simmer for a minute just until creamy and bubbly, then toss together with the perfectly crispy air fried tofu.
How do you make perfect crispy tofu?
- Start by pressing the tofu and removing as much moisture as possible.
- Tear it into irregular bite size pieces and pat dry again. Toss with a pinch of salt and tapioca. Arrange in the air fryer basket and air fry 13-14 minutes at 400″F giving it a shake half way.
- Now add it to coat in the peanut butter sauce and enjoy piled up over noodles or coconut rice.
Can I bake the tofu in the oven ?
Preheat your oven to 425″F and bake the tofu pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet for 20 to maybe 25 minutes until just crispy around the edges.
serving suggestions:
- soba noodles dressed in mango basil sauce <– Favorite Combo EVER!
- cauliflower rice or quinoa
- steamed or roasted broccoli
- coconut rice pilaf
- vegan fried rice
- coconut lime rice + tangy Asian slaw
- roasted sweet potatoes
- zoodles + chopped peanuts & bok choy.
- inside lettuce wraps.
watch how to make it
Peanut Tofu Bowl
The best peanut tofu bowl with soba noodles in a raw mango avocado sauce. Crispy air-fried caramelized edges and soft center piled up over the most luscious tropical noodles. Quick, easy and oil free!
Servings 2 people
Calories 365kcal
Ingredients
- 14 oz block firm tofu organic
- 1 tbsp tapioca
- sea salt to taste
Peanut Butter Sauce:
- 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (use date syrup for WFPB + Plantricious)
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Garnish:
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1/4 cup scallion + fresh cilantro thinly sliced
Serving suggestions
Instructions
Press the Tofu
- Drain the tofu and wrap it in a lint free tea towel. Set on a plate and place a cutting board then a heavy pot or skillet on top. Press if for a couple of hours or prepare a day in advance.
- While the tofu is pressing prepare the noodles with mango sauce, rice or whatever you decide to serve with.
- Use your hands and tear the pressed tofu into 1 inch irregular pieces. Pat dry again with a tea towel and transfer to a bowl.
- Season the tofu with a light pinch of sea salt and sprinkle with the tapioca. Gently toss to coat. Arrange in the air-fryer basket / tray without touching each other.
- Air fry the tofu at 400”F for 13-15 minutes flipping it half way.
Make the Peanut Butter Sauce
- In a small bowl whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the sauce to a skillet and cook over medium flame until thickened and sticky, about a minute or so.
- Add the air-fried tofu to the sauce and toss to coat well all over. Hit it with a squeeze of fresh lime, sprinkle with sesame seeds, scallions, cilantro or basil.
WFPB + PLANTRICIOUS
- To make the recipe compliant swap the maple syrup for date syrup.
Notes
- Can i make it gluten-free? - Yes, just make sure to use gluten free tamari in the sauce and replace the soba noodles with rice noodles or coconut rice.
- Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter? - Sure but then you'll have almond tofu not peanut tofu, still delicious but not quite the same.
- WFPB + Plantricious - swap the maple syrup for date syrup.
- Best served with soba noodles in mango basil sauce or this avocado sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1093mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 303mg | Iron: 4mg
Environmental Information
Sweet and Sour Tofu
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Incredible flavors, I had no hopes that tofu would ever taste this good. This whole combo is fantastic and yes I now love tofu and those noodles are insanely tasty. Favorite weeknight recipe this time of the year, can’t wait to make it again. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me 🙏🏼
Tofu is my new best friend too, so much deliciousness in one bowl! ~Florentina Xo’s
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for this special recipe. As I don‘t have an air fryer, I put the tofu in the oven at 400 degrees, for about 15 minutes. It turned out pretty good!
So happy you enjoyed it! The oven is always a great alternative!
This was delicious. So easy to make too.
So glad you loved it Karen 🙂
The combination of delicious avocado mango sauce, crispy peanut tofu over al dente wheat soba noodles is delightful!
I need to find other food to serve with this amazing sauce. Can’t wait to try some of your other tofu recipes!
I’m so happy you loved it Helaine. The sauce also pairs well with the air fried orange tofu if you wanna give it a try next 🙂 https://veggiesociety.com/orange-tofu-air-fryer-recipe/
This tofu is amazing. I made it with the coconut green rice recipe ( used only one can of coconut milk , i thought two would be too rich) My family loved it!
I made this last night for my family and it was a huge hit! Normally my kids refuse to even touch tofu, but this they loved! My son even asked for seconds. Thank you!
I tried the oven method since I don’t have an air fryer, and it didn’t really turn out as I’d hoped. But my toddler ended up loving it, and he doesn’t usually like tofu. So I’ll definitely make it again!😄