These crispy sesame tofu bites are the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. Coated in a light cornstarch crust and sesame seeds, they’re pan-fried to golden perfection and tossed in a savory marinade. Whether as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, these bites are sure to impress!
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Tofu:
1 block of firm or extra firm tofu (about 14 oz)
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional for extra crunch)
2 tbsp olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
For the Marinade/Sauce:
2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp grated ginger (optional)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
Press the Tofu
Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and press it for at least 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture. You can place something heavy on top, like a cast-iron skillet, to help with this.
Cut the Tofu
After pressing, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes (about 1-inch pieces).
Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together:
the soy sauce
sesame oil
rice vinegar
maple syrup
garlic
ginger
red pepper flakes (if using).
Marinate the Tofu
Gently toss the tofu cubes in the marinade, making sure all sides are coated.
Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes (or up to an hour for more flavor).
Coat the Tofu
After marinating, add the cornstarch to the tofu and gently toss to coat. This will give the tofu a crispy exterior when fried.
If you want extra crunch, you can also sprinkle sesame seeds on the tofu at this point.
Cook the Tofu
Heat a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; you want them to crisp up nicely, so you may need to do this in batches.
Cook the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Adjust the heat as necessary to avoid burning, but keep it high enough to get that crispy texture.
Serve
Once the tofu is golden and crispy, remove it from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
You can serve the tofu with a drizzle of the leftover marinade or a sprinkle of additional sesame seeds. Pair with rice, stir-fried veggies, or a dipping sauce!
Optional Sauce
For extra flavor, you can serve these with a quick dipping sauce made by mixing:
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp maple syrup
A pinch of chili flakes or sriracha for some spice.
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