Confession. I LOVE Sticky Sesame sauce! This Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe is the latest in my collection of sticky sesame recipes! Perfectly sweet with garlic + ginger + a touch of spice, yum!
It all started with Sticky Sesame Tempeh, then I added Easy Sticky Sesame Chickpeas. Now I bring you this Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe! You. Are. Welcome!
You can easily make a quick meal out of this! I included instructions to cook the tofu at the time you make the sauce, but one thing I do is make a few batches of tofu on weekends in my air fryer (recipe I use linked here) so that I have cooked cubes ready to toss in any sauce during the week. That tip works perfectly with this recipe. This is one of the 10 Things To Do On Weekends To Make Weeknight Cooking Easier that I absolutely recommend, vegetarian or not!
What should you serve your Sticky Sesame Tofu with? Steamed brown rice, pour over rice noodles, pair with Air Fried Green Beans or Broccoli, or Perfect Basmati Rice.
Tara’s Tips For Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe Perfection:
- No oil! Yep, you heard me correctly. You do not need any oil to make these perfectly sticky + awesome!
- This recipe has been tested multiple times in the MVF kitchen. It turns out best with a mixture of coconut aminos, liquid aminos, and coconut palm sugar.
- Substitutions:
- You can substitute cane sugar for the coconut palm sugar if you like.
- Soy sauce can be used instead of the aminos. NOTE: If you use soy sauce instead of the coconut aminos, add an additional 1/2 tbsp sugar to your sauce to achieve the proper level of sweetness this dish needs.
- I use garlic paste and ginger paste in this recipe that I buy in the Indian grocery store. If it is available to you, use it! If you prefer, you can use the fresh but be sure you shred or chop both the ginger and the garlic into very fine pieces.
- Prefer to pan-fry your tofu instead of air frying or baking? No Problem! Coat your tofu cubes in a thin coating of corn starch or arrowroot + pan-fry until golden brown in a few tablespoons of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Easy!
- New to Tofu? Check out my Tofu for Beginners right here.
Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe
This Sticky Sesame Tofu can be whipped up on a busy night and on the table faster than you can order takeout! And healthier!
Ingredients
- 14 ounce container organic extra firm tofu
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp coconut palm sugar (sub cane sugar, if using soy sauce instead of coconut aminos, add an additional 1/2 tbsp sugar)
- 2 tsp grated ginger or ginger paste (I use ginger paste)
- 1 tbsp finely minced garlic or garlic paste (I use garlic paste)
- 1/8 tsp red chili pepper powder (optional/more to taste)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (more for topping/garnish to taste)
- finely sliced scallions/green onions for topping/garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Remove tofu from packaging, drain water, cut into cubes.
- Step 2 If air frying tofu: Place the tofu cubes in the air fryer in a single layer. Do not crowd air fryer, may need to be done in batches. Air fry at 390 degrees F for 8-10 minutes flipping each tofu cube over after 5 minutes of cooking.
- Step 3 If baking tofu: <span style="color: #000000
- Step 4 ">Line a baking tray with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Place tofu cubes on baking tray. Bake in 425-degree oven for 20 minutes. Flip each tofu piece over. Return to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes or until crispy golden brown.
- Step 5 While tofu is cooking, make the sesame sauce.
- Step 6 Combine coconut aminos, liquid aminos, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper in a bowl and whisk together until fully combined.
- Step 7 When tofu is browned, remove from air fryer or oven and set aside.
- Step 8 Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, add sesame sauce, heat until it comes to a simmer, add tofu, simmer for 2 minutes, stirring intermittently. While tofu simmers mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1/2 cup water to make a slurry. Add to skillet and gently stir. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until sauce thickens, add sesame seeds and turn off heat. Transfer to plate or bowl, top with additional sesame seeds and scallions. Enjoy!
⭐Did you make this Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe? Love it? Leave a rating + a comment below! ⭐
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