It’s meatless Monday! Ok, it’s always meatless Monday for me since I don’t eat meat. But anyway, we’re celebrating with the most delicious sesame ginger tofu.
Sticky, sesame ginger sauce made with some basic ingredients I always keep around, tossed together with air-fried crispy tofu and served over coconut brown rice. Couldn’t get any better!
I love meal prepping tofu for the week. I typically bake it or pan fry it, but ever since I got an air fryer that’s been my go-to method! I’m pretty basic and like my tofu plain, but if I want my husband to eat it too, I need to sauce it up.
Tofu is pretty bland on its own, but with the proper cooking method and sauce, it can be a delicious way to get in some plant-based protein.
I love this simple sauce because it has the right amount of spice, with a little kick from the ginger.
This sauce would be delicious on just about anything! Chicken, salmon, tempeh, or even chickpeas. You can double the batch if you’re feeding more people, and make it ahead of time to keep in the fridge.
The tapioca flour is the key ingredient in this sauce to help make it thick. I love using it in gluten-free sauces as a thickening agent, but it can be replaced with arrowroot starch, cornstarch, rice flour or even regular flour.
A few options for prepping your tofu
- Air-fry– I chose to air fry my tofu to speed up the cooking time. I sprayed my rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then layered the cubed tofu and sprayed them with olive oil cooking spray. I air fried on 375 for 25 minutes. Some air-fryers may vary, and may need an addition 5 or so minutes!
- Baking- Another simple method is to bake your tofu. You can layer it on a sheet pan that’s lined with parchment paper, and generously toss the tofu cubes in olive oil or cooking spray. Bake them on 375 for about 40 minutes, flipping half way through!
- Pan-frying– Pan frying tofu requires a little more active work, but yields a pretty crispy result. I typically layer the bottom of my pan with olive oil, and lightly pan fry each side of tofu for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
This meal is going to be on repeat for sure! You can switch up how to serve it, but I love pairing it with brown rice and a side of stir fried veggies.
It’s a delicious. plant-based meal that packs in all the flavors! I can’t wait for you guys to try it.
Other tofu recipes you may like:
Maple Tahini Tofu with Green Beans
Sweet & Spicy Tofu and Broccoli
Spicy Peanut Tofu
Sesame Ginger Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu, cut into cubes
- Cooking spray
Sesame Ginger Sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 1 tsp grated ginger, I used a frozen cube
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus more if needed
- 1 tsp tapioca flour, or substitute cornstarch, arrowroot of regular flour
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions, to top
SERVE WITH
- Brown rice or Coconut Rice
- Side salad or stir fry veggies
Directions
- AIR FRYER INSTRUCTIONS: spray your air fryer rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and layer your tofu cubes. Coat the tofu in more cooking spray, and air fry on 375 for 25 minutes. Set aside.
- BAKING INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat your oven to 375 F. Layer your tofu on a parchment lined baking sheet, and coat in cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Bake for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- In a small bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
- Pour into a medium sized skillet and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the flame to let it simmer, and mix in your cooked tofu.
- Let the tofu sit in the sauce on a low flame for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve fresh over rice of choice and a side of veggies!
This was my first time ever using tofu, and I am so glad I found this recipe! I sprayed the tofu cubes with cooking spray before baking them as suggested, which worked out pretty well. The sauce is amazing, too! Awesome recipe
Thank you, Reagan! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
So tasty and so easy to make!
Yay! So glad you tried them