Pair with rice and steamed veggies for a simple, 30-minute meal that’s vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Let’s make it!
Recipe Inspiration
This recipe is inspired by Sesame Chicken, which is commonly found in Chinese restaurants in the US and Canada (source). Though likely originally inspired by a dish from China, its exact origin story is unclear. Some suggest it’s an adaptation of General Tso’s, while others say it’s inspired by Sichuan La Zi Ji. Our inspired, plant-based version has a similarly sticky, spicy, sweet (but not too sweet!) glaze and is made with tofu. Our version also doesn’t involve any battering or deep frying!
How to Make Sesame Tofu
It starts with making the tofu crispy using a different method! Instead of deep frying, we break the tofu into bite-sized pieces and bake until a little firm and golden with crispy edges. Then we make a simple, super flavorful sauce on the stovetop with maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Next, we cook it down with a little slurry of cornstarch + water until it’s thickened. The final steps are adding sesame seeds to the sauce then stirring in the baked tofu until it’s well-coated and irresistible! We can’t wait for you to try this sesame tofu! It’s:SpicyGarlickyA little sweetA little stickyCrispy on the edges& SO delicious! It pairs beautifully with rice (brown, white, or cauliflower “rice”), and steamed broccoli for a simple, weeknight-friendly meal. Other delicious pairings include our Sesame Sautéed Swiss Chard, Gingery Smashed Cucumber Salad, and Spicy Garlicky Edamame.
More Flavorful Tofu Recipes
Masala-Spiced Tofu Scramble Baked Crispy Peanut Tofu Chipotle Tofu Chilaquiles Southwest Tofu Scramble
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
