Sesame Tofu with Broccoli Recipe (2024)

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Easy and healthy sesame tofu recipe, air fry or bake it before coating in an oil free sticky garlic ginger sesame sauce. Crispy golden around the edges using maple syrup instead of honey, gluten free and vegan!

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Crispy saucy tofu and steamed broccoli – the perfect weeknight meal!

How to Make Sesame Tofu

  1. Start with firm or extra firm tofu, remove from the package and drain the water.
  2. Press Tofu: place the drained tofu block on a lint free kitchen towel, fold the sides over and cover with another towel. Place a heavy object on top like an enameled cast iron pot or something that is easy to balance. Allow to press for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  3. Once pressed tear the tofu into bite size pieces and toss with tapioca or corn starch.
  4. Air fry or bake until golden crips around the edges following the instructions in the recipe card.

The Sesame Sauce

Simply whisk together tamari with water, vinegar, garlic, ginger and sesame seeds. Balance with a drizzle of maple syrup for both taste and stickiness. Thicken as it simmers for a quick minute with tapioca or cornstarch. How easy is that ?!

What to Serve With

  • steamed broccoli or green beans
  • sauteed spinach or bok choy
  • peanut noodles
  • stir fried veggies & brown rice
  • spinach rice <–Divine!
  • olive oil mashed potatoes
  • pineapple fried rice
  • mango avocado noodles

FAQ

  • What is Tofu Made Of? – Tofu blocks are made from whole soy beans in a process similar to making cheese. The soy milk curd is used and pressed into blocks of different textures, from soft to extra firm. The flavor is very mild to non existent which makes it the perfect vehicle to absorb any kind of flavor just like a sponge. In our case that luscious sesame sauce!
  • How Much Protein is in Tofu?Tofu delivers a whopping 20 grams of protein in one cup and zero cholesterol. Now that’s some real high quality healthy clean protein.
  • Is Tofu Healthy?I created this recipe as healthy as possible! The tofu is cooked in my toaster air fryer without any oil, plus I also made the sauce oil free and refined sugar free. The oven baked alternative is not quite as healthy as it requires a little oil to keep the tofu from drying out. For the benefits of tofu consumption and the scientific research on the subject please visit nutritionfacts.org

P.S. If you make this recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it totally makes my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

Sesame Tofu with Broccoli Recipe (7)

4.86 from 14 votes

Sesame Tofu

Healthy sesame tofu recipe, air fry or bake it before coating in an oil-free sticky garlic ginger sesame sauce. Crispy golden around the edges usingmaple syrup instead of honey, gluten free and vegan!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Pressing Time::35 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 15 oz block firm tofu ~organic
  • 2 tbsp tapioca or cornstarch
  • 1 lime ~for serving

Sesame Sauce:

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Press the Tofu:

  • Remove tofu from the package and drain the water. Slice in half lengthwise so you end up with 2 thinner slices. Place on a lint free towel lined plate and fold the sides over. Cover with another lint free towel and place a heavy item on top, something with good balance. Allow the tofu to press for at least 35 minutes or overnight. (If pressing overnight make sure to transfer to the refrigerator and keep cool)

    15 oz block firm tofu

  • Use your hands and roughly tear the tofu into bite size pieces. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of sea salt and two tablespoons of tapioca or cornstarch. Gently toss to coat well.

    2 tbsp tapioca or cornstarch, 15 oz block firm tofu

Air Fryer Method

  • Preheat air fryer to 375"F. Place the tofu on the air fryer tray without touching each other and air fry for 15 to 17 minutes until golden around the edges. (I do this in my Breville Toaster Oven Air Fryer, if you are using something different you might need to adjust the timing as it could take a little longer, keep on eye on it and check at the 15 minute mark).

Oven Baked Method

  • Optional to spray the pressed tofu pieces with a light coat of sesame oil. Dust with 2 tablespoons of tapioca and toss to coat well. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet preferably without touching each other. Bake at 400"F for 18 to 25 minutes until golden around the edges.

    2 tbsp tapioca or cornstarch

Make the Sesame Sauce:

  • In a small bowl whisk together all the sauce ingredients until combined. Transfer to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Cook a minute or so until the sauce starts to thicken.

    3 tbsp tamari sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 cloves grated garlic, 2 tsp fresh ginger root, 6 tbsp water, 2 tsp tapioca or corn starch, 2 tbsp white sesame seeds, 1 pinch red pepper flakes

  • Transfer the cooked tofu into the sesame sauce and toss to coat well all over. Serve over steamed broccoli with brown rice or noodles or rice, lime wedges, scallions and red chili pepper for heat.

    1 lime

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 762mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: plant based, sesame tofu, tofu, vegan,

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 207kcal

Author: Florentina

Air Fryer Tofu Recipes:

Sesame Tofu with Broccoli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Sesame Tofu good for you? ›

Dietitian's Choice: Crispy Sesame Tofu

Packed with fiber, iron, and calcium, this baked meal can be paired with sweet and savory sesame sauce, Asian vegetable medley, and brown rice for a nutritious and flavorful dinner! Press the tofu: Wrap each block of tofu in paper towels.

Do you marinate tofu before or after frying? ›

Simply marinate your tofu then fry, bake, or cook in the air fryer for beautifully crispy tofu that tastes delicious every single time.

What does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

Dry off your sliced tofu on all sides using a lint-free kitchen towel or paper towels, then season with salt. 3. Add starch. A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating.

Why do you soak tofu in salt water? ›

Soaking tofu in salted water is an alternative to pressing or freezing, and it takes just 15 minutes. It draws out excess water from the tofu for a crispier crust. Plus, it has the added benefit of seasoning the tofu by osmosis as the salty solution displaces the unseasoned water content inside.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Why do Asians eat a lot of tofu? ›

Some scholars believe tofu arrived in Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries. It spread to other parts of Southeast Asia as well. This probably coincided with the spread of Buddhism as it is an important source of protein in the vegetarian diet of East Asian Buddhism.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Why boil tofu before frying? ›

“Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

Why won t my tofu get crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What happens if you don't rinse tofu? ›

Any food that is contaminated is going to make you ill. Remove the tofu from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly. If you are handling raw meat at the same time as the tofu, use separate utensils. Other than that, there are no risks to eating raw tofu.

How to tell if tofu is done? ›

If you're cooking slices or cubes, cut the tofu into slices, layer them between paper towels and weigh down the individual slices. The finished tofu should be spongy yet dry (you'll need to weigh it down for 30 minutes to 2 hours).

Should I press tofu before marinating? ›

Even if you don't press the tofu, you'll need to at least squeeze it to get most of the water out. Think of your tofu like a sponge: if it's completely saturated, it won't be able to soak up the marinade. The more liquid you can press out, the more room there is for the marinade to soak in.

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content. Silken tofu contains the most water, while firm tofu is drier and more dense.

What is sesame tofu made of? ›

What You Need for Sesame Tofu. Crispy tofu: Over the years I've practically cracked the code on crispy tofu and all you need is 4 simple ingredients: extra firm tofu, a neutral-tasting oil, low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce), and cornstarch. That's it!

How many calories are in Chinese sesame tofu? ›

Hot Wok Cafe Sesame Tofu (1 serving) contains 30g total carbs, 29g net carbs, 15g fat, 18g protein, and 320 calories.

Is tofu healthy for weight loss? ›

Tofu is a cholesterol-free, low-calorie, high-protein food that's also rich in bone-boosting calcium and manganese. Tofu may help you to lose weight by keeping you fuller for longer on fewer calories than meat. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when swapped for saturated fat-heavy animal proteins.

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