Description
Crispy Baked Peanut Tofu Bowls are a delicious and healthy vegan meal featuring golden, crispy tofu cubes baked to perfection and served over brown rice with fresh vegetables. This Asian-inspired dish is enhanced with a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce, making it perfect for meal prep or a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu and Vegetables
- 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (for garnish)
Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water (to thin)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tofu: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the pressed and cubed tofu with cornstarch, sesame oil, and salt until every piece is evenly coated; this ensures a crispy crust when baked.
- Bake the Tofu: Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through so they brown evenly and become crispy on all sides.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: While the tofu is baking, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Gradually add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide cooked brown rice equally among four bowls. Top each bowl with shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, steamed broccoli, and the crispy baked tofu cubes.
- Add Sauce and Garnish: Drizzle each bowl generously with the peanut sauce. Finish by sprinkling chopped cilantro and chopped peanuts over the top for an added crunch and fresh herbal note.
- Serve Warm: Serve the bowls warm for a hearty, nourishing meal. Optionally, add a splash of sriracha to the sauce for extra spice or enjoy as is.
Notes
- For added spice, stir sriracha into the peanut sauce before serving.
- Tofu can be air-fried at 375°F for 12–15 minutes as a quicker alternative to baking.
- This recipe is excellent for meal prep; store rice, tofu, vegetables, and sauce separately and assemble bowls when ready to eat.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
- Press the tofu thoroughly to remove excess moisture for the crispiest texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
