This vegan crispy tofu is one of those recipes that will leave you wanting more! My inspired version skips the traditional thai noodles and instead uses zucchini noodles. Instead of chicken or shrimp, I pan sear firm tofu until it becomes caramelized and crispy and then combine it with fresh veggies, peanuts, and the most incredible and easy to make peanut sauce. Talk about an easy dinner using everyday ingredients! The tofu is slowly caramelized to a heavenly crispness on the outside and soft and silky on the inside. It’s the perfect anti climax to the fresh zucchini and the lips smacking sauce. And the sauce…oh the sauce! It’s sweet, spicy, umami, salty, and slightly tangy…all at the same time! That’s what makes this crispy tofu with peanut sauce so amazingly delicious! If you like peanut butter, then you are going to fall in LOVE with this peanut sauce! You will be in serious trouble of smearing this sauce on EVERYTHING! It’s just THAT delicious!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
I use simple ingredients that can easily be found in your local grocery store. I use firm tofu in this dish because it absorbs so much flavor and it holds up really well when pan frying. A lot of these thai inspired recipes use fish sauce. There is a vegan fish sauce you can purchase, but I’ve created the best homemade sauce that is an amazing substitute for fish sauce. I combine peanut butter, sesame oil, tamari, apple cider vinegar, chili paste, and honey. I also add some fresh garlic and ginger to add even more flavor. While you can serve this with pad thai noodles, I love serving this with zucchini noodles. Zoodles absorb the sauce much better than thai noodles and they are healthier. Squoodles, also known as squash noodles, are aldo really good with this dish.
📖 How to Make Zoodles
Making zucchini noodles is easiest when done on a spiralizer. It’s super convenient and hassle free. Two options I love are the Paderno 7 blade spiralizer and the kitchen aid spiralizer attachment. Another alternative is to get a small vegetable peeler which will give you thin ribbons. The noodles will be flat but they will be delicious, nevertheless! If you aren’t a zucchini noodles fan then first let me urge you (frantically!) to try it at least once. But if you’re still not convinced, go ahead and replace the zoodles with rice noodles or whatever pasta you have at hand. But zoodles are so amazing, especially with this dish. Here’s an expert tip when it comes to zoodles. Cook them as little as possible. If you like raw zucchini like me, then you don’t have to cook them at all. For this recipe, I tossed the zoodles for about 10-15 seconds in the same pan I used to crisp up the tofu, so you have only one pan to clean up.
📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Start by making this mind blowing peanut sauce. It’s simple really…just put all the ingredients in a large bowl and microwave for 30 seconds and whisk until well combined. The sauce is ready that quickly! Next, pan sear the tofu until it’s caramelized. Using half of the sauce, pan fry the sauce the tofu until the sauce evaporates and the tofu caramelizes. The last step is to toss the zucchini noodles in the same pan with 1 Tablespoon of the thai peanut sauce for about 20-30 seconds. Scoop the zoodles in a large bowl and top it with the crispy tofu . Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, peanuts, and lime.
🙋🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
💭 Expert Tips
Make sure to use extra firm tofu. Any other type will crumble and result in a scramble instead. You want the tofu to be solid enough to toss around the pan.If you don’t have a spiralizer or don’t fancy zucchini noodles, feel free to use any other kind of noodles. Flat rice noodles will go wonderfully well with this dish. Cook the zucchini noodles very sparingly to keep them crispy and fresh. I cooked mine for just a few seconds.Use a nonstick pan or Wok for this recipe. It will not only save time and effort but will also give you delicious crispy tofu!Make a double batch of the sauce and serve it on other dishes like this Thai Peanut Pasta or grilled chicken if you’re not vegan.Did you know you can make peanut butter at home with just ONE ingredient? Homemade peanut butter is so good! It’s free of any preservatives, sugar, or any additives. You have got to try it!Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
🍽️ More Amazing Recipes Made With Peanut Butter!
Want some peanut butter desserts that are super easy and healthy? Try these Dark Chocolate Peanut butter cups! They are sugar free, gluten free, and 100% AMAHHHZZZING! Also these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies are made with gluten free quick oats and kid friendly! If you loved this Crispy Tofu, give this recipe a star review! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #recipesworthrepeating and #yellowthyme and tagging me @yellowthyme and @recipesworthrepeating.
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