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:

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? ›

Tofu being a soy product is very high protein and calcium. Since, I have used good amount of sesame seeds it compliments tofu by increasing the calcium content of the entire dish. A small amount of oil provides healthy fats to our diet and so it's important too.

Why do you soak tofu in salt water? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “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.

How to make tofu crispy like a restaurant? ›

In a large wok or skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add tofu pieces in a single layer. Let cook for 5 minutes on one side, then with a heat-proof spatula, flip the tofu pieces so that all sides brown, cooking for a few minutes on each remaining side.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Why do Chinese eat so much tofu? ›

This probably coincided with the spread of Buddhism as it is an important source of protein in the vegetarian diet of East Asian Buddhism. Li Shizhen, during the Ming dynasty, described a method of making tofu in the Compendium of Materia Medica.

Why pour boiling water over tofu? ›

“Blanch plain white tofu in hot salted water before use, to freshen up its flavor and warm it before you combine it with other ingredients.” Just as blanching vegetables not only cooks but seasons them, too, blanching tofu brings out its best texture and flavor.

Do you need to rinse tofu? ›

She encourages people to treat tofu in a similar manner to canned beans, which we are taught to drain and rinse before using. She finds that doing so can help eliminate any off-flavors from preservatives in the water for liquid-packed tofu.

Can you soak tofu too long? ›

You can leave the tofu in the bag with the marinade for as little as 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. Can I marinate tofu overnight? Technically, yes, but in our tests, the tofu that marinated for longer than 4 hours absorbed too much of the marinade and ended up less flavorful and crispy.

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.

Why is my tofu not crispy air fryer? ›

If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary! Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it's crisp and browned around the edges.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

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 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 pairs well with tofu? ›

Best Vegan Side Dishes for Grilled Tofu at a Barbecue or Cookout
  • Vegan Dill Potato Salad with Fiddleheads (No Mayo) ...
  • Herb Grilled Vegetables. ...
  • Vegan Spinach Salad Recipe with Maple Balsamic Dressing. ...
  • Fresh Tomato Lime Salad Dressing with Cilantro. ...
  • Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing.
Jul 12, 2021

What spices go well with tofu? ›

Chili Powder: A melody of chili peppers, garlic, and cumin that bestows a warm, smoky zest to tofu, perfect for crafting delectable tacos or fajitas. That's Amore: A medley of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, this blend is the essence of the Mediterranean.

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.

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 sesame tofu? ›

Whole Foods Golden Sesame Tofu (1 serving) contains 18g total carbs, 18g net carbs, 18g fat, 22g protein, and 340 calories.

What happens to your body when you eat tofu? ›

Soybeans and soy products like tofu are rich in isoflavones. These flavonoids (plant-based chemicals) help lower your blood pressure and offer other heart-protective benefits. A 2020 study found that people who ate a serving of tofu each week had an 18% lower risk of heart disease than those who didn't.

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