Author: Easy Peanut Tofu is a delicious, flavor-packed recipe that will have you begging for more! Even tofu haters will love this recipe. Tofu is baked until golden, then coated in a sticky savory peanut sauce that will tantalize your taste buds. This vegan tofu dish is easy to prepare and so delicious, you'll want to add this recipe to your weekly rotation! 
Easy Peanut Tofu requires a few steps, but every step is quick and easy. Just press then cube the tofu. While the tofu is pressing, mix together the peanut sauce (you can make it spicy or not, depending on your preference). Now, season and coat in cornstarch. Bake until golden, then drizzle half the peanut sauce over top. Return to the oven and bake just a few minutes more. Then garnish with extra peanut sauce, chopped peanuts, and cilantro. Done. Learn all my best tofu tips in my Tofu 101 guide.
Serve with rice and vegetables if you like, or it's also nice on rice noodles. Warning: it will be difficult to resist eating it all straight from the pan. You have been warned!
How to Make Easy Peanut Tofu:
Press the tofu: Prepare the tofu by draining it, and then pressing it for 15 to 30 minutes. I love using my Tofuture tofu press, but you can also follow these instructions for a DIY tofu pressing method. Pressing the tofu squeezes excess water out so that the tofu can suck up more of the marinade and become more flavourful. Once the tofu is pressed, cut into 1-inch cubes.
Preheat your oven: Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (See notes for air fryer method).
Make the peanut sauce: In a small bowl or measuring glass, mix together all of the peanut sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Season the tofu: Add the tofu to a medium bowl and pour over the soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to coat. Then sprinkle over the cornstarch and gently toss to evenly coat.
Bake: Spread the coated tofu in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spacing out the cubes so they aren't touching each other. Bake for 12 - 18 minutes until the tofu is golden brown.
Sauce and Bake again: Remove from the oven and return the tofu to the tofu to the mixing bowl. Pour over half of the peanut sauce and toss to coat the tofu in the sauce. Return the tofu to the lined baking sheet and bake for another 2 - 6 minutes until the tofu is golden.
Serve: Serve the tofu hot on a bed of rice (if using). Drizzle with extra peanut sauce, and garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Optionally add a side of veggies.
Store cooled leftover tofu in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Enjoy cold, or gently reheat in the microwave.
Easy Peanut Tofu is...
- Peanut-y and packed with flavor
- Delicious and chewy
- A winner! (Everyone goes nuts for this recipe).
What to serve with peanut tofu:
Vegan Baked Spring Rolls
Smoked Tofu Mango Spring Rolls
Vegan Wonton Soup
Chopped Asian-inspired Salad
Steamed rice or cooked rice noodles
Steamed greens broccoli, bok choy, gai lan, or kale
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull
(click stars to vote)
Easy Peanut Tofu
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Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 1 (350g/ 12.3oz) block extra firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cut into 1-inch cubes (see step 1)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup cornstarch
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, (or sub apple cider vinegar or lime juice)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, (optional for spice)
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
- ¼ cup roasted salted peanuts, roughy chopped
For serving:
- 1 handful cilantro, roughly chopped
- cooked rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Prepare the tofu by draining it, and then pressing it for 15 to 30 minutes. I love using my Tofuture tofu press, but you can also follow these instructions for a DIY tofu pressing method. Pressing the tofu squeezes excess water out so that the tofu can suck up more of the marinade and become more flavourful. Once the tofu is pressed, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Preheat your oven: Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (See notes for air fryer method).
- Make the peanut sauce: In a small bowl or measuring glass, mix together all of the peanut sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Season the tofu: Add the tofu to a medium bowl and pour over the soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to coat. Then sprinkle over the cornstarch and gently toss to evenly coat.
- Bake: Spread the coated tofu in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spacing out the cubes so they aren't touching each other. Bake for 12 - 18 minutes until the tofu is golden brown.
- Sauce and Bake again: Remove from the oven and return the tofu to the mixing bowl. Pour over half of the peanut sauce and toss to coat the tofu in the sauce. Return the tofu to the lined baking sheet and bake for another 2 - 6 minutes until the tofu is golden.
- Serve: Serve the tofu hot on a bed of rice (if using). Drizzle with extra peanut sauce, and garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Store cooled leftover tofu in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Enjoy cold, or gently reheat in the microwave.
Jack says
Wow,I’ll be making it again🤤
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Jack! 😊
Marion says
This is delicious. Only negative the peanut sauce became a bit thick waiting to be coated in the Tofu, so I added water to thin it down, but this did not detract from the overall flavour at all. I'll be making this regularly. Thanks so much Sam for another great menu.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We're so glad you enjoyed it, Marion!
Leslie says
This was so good! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So happy you liked it, Leslie 🙂
Mel says
I'm new to the tofu game. This is by far our favorite tofu dish that I've tried. Divine! Thank you.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Mel! Welcome to the tofu club 😄 I’m so happy this one was a winner for you!
David B says
Loved this! Next time I will add some broccoli cooked with sesame seeds for some greenery, but this was good comfort food for a chilly night!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes, this is perfect served with broccoli (or gai lan is one of my favorites too). So happy you enjoyed it David!
Cathy Horton says
This was very dry cooking in the oven. I would pan fry instead and not cook for so long. Peanut sauce quite tasty but not incredible.
Miranda Eslick says
I have been looking for a good easy tasty peanut tofu recipe and this was really good, I doubled it and we ate all of it! Served with cucumbers and white rice.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So thrilled you enjoyed it Miranda!! Thank you for the review 🙂
Miranda Eslick says
I ended up using the peanut sauce in plain cooked Maruchen the next day with some green onions for a lunch. Cheap pad Thai and so good! Thanks!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Oooh sounds great!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Cathy! Sorry you didn't enjoy it more. The tofu is meant to bake until chewy so the sauce thickens into a sticky coating, and then the rest of the peanut sauce gets drizzled on after baking to make it saucy and delicious 😊
Gigi says
On repeat, yum!
Gigi says
Meant to leave 5 stars!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for your review, Gigi!
Christine says
This is currently my absolute favourite tofu recipe...you nailed it Sam - a real home run! I defy any "tofu hater" to find fault with it. DELICIOUS!!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay!!! Haha, love it, thank you so much for your comment Christine! 🙂
Rose says
This is one of my favorite dinner recipes! It's easy to make and delicious. I've made it for my family several times and we've never had leftovers.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Terrific! Thanks for your review, Rose!
Pamela says
This is my go-to PB tofu recipe. Solid every time! I make double the sauce and save a bit for other dishes or plain rice. 10/10. I use the air-fryer method. I have not had ONE thing that I have made from your site that I disliked. Great job, keep up the good work!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Melt my heart!! Thank you so much Pamela, that makes me so happy!!! SO thrilled you love this recipe and so many others 🙂
Robin says
This was wonderful and I loved that it was quick and that I had all the ingredients on hand. I served it over sautéed fresh spinach and rice and definitely recommend adding the nuts and cilantro to finish. Will make again for sure.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Glad you enjoyed it!