Sesame Ginger Tofu

Sweet, crunchy and spicy, this Sesame Ginger Tofu is a restaurant-quality recipe that will convert the tofu skeptics in your life! Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect at-home alternative to takeout.

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Watch how to make Sesame Ginger Tofu on my YouTube channel, plus 2 other awesome tofu recipes!

Ingredients & Inspiration

Before I went vegan, some of my favourite dishes to order when getting Chinese takeout were ginger beef, sweet and sour pork, and sesame chicken. Since I don’t eat meat anymore I obviously don’t order those anymore, BUT… I can’t lie when I say I miss the flavours, spices and textures of them! Thus, I set out to combine some of my favourite features of each of these recipes into one epic tofu recipe!

This Sesame Ginger Tofu combines the spicy heat of ginger beef, the sweet stickiness of sweet and sour pork, and the toasty sesame flavours and crunch of sesame chicken! It’s un-REAL, you guys! When I say this tofu is life-changing… I mean it. It’s my new favourite tofu recipe that I’ve been making on repeat!

Here’s what you need to make this EPIC tofu recipe:

• extra firm tofu: offers the ‘meatiest’ texture and crisps up beautifully in the air fryer
• maple syrup: to balance out the saltiness
• soy sauce or tamari: for salty and umami flavour
• toasted sesame oil: for a deep, rich sesame flavour
• tahini: for creamy texture and nuttiness
• rice vinegar: for a tangy zip
• raw ginger: for spice and warm, subtle heat
• red chili flakes: to add a little pinch of heat
• toasted sesame seeds: for extra crunchy texture and toasty flavour
• cornstarch: this will help the tofu crisp up in the air fryer
• oil: for air frying

How to Make Sesame Ginger Tofu

This recipe for Sesame Ginger Tofu is essentially a 2-step dance: air fry the tofu and heat through the sauce.

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Into a mixing bowl, break the block of extra firm tofu into small bite size chunks: the more misshapen the better as it will increase surface area and make it extra crispy in the air fryer. Add a tbsp of oil and toss the tofu to combine, then sprinkle in the cornstarch and give it another good toss until each piece of tofu is coated. Transfer to an air fryer basket and air fry for 22 to 25 minutes until the tofu is golden brown and very crispy, but not burnt.
2. Meanwhile, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan, minus the sesame seeds, and stir until emulsified. Turn heat on to medium-low and bring to a steamy, light simmer, warming through for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken quite a bit, but if it doesn’t combine the cornstarch and water into a slurry and add into the sauce, stirring until it thickens slightly. Then stir in the sesame seeds.
3. Add the crispy tofu bites into the sauce and toss very well to combine, the sauce should completely coat each piece of tofu and not much sauce should be left in the pan at all.
4. Serve hot over rice or noodles or with veggies, or enjoy on its own!

Sesa-Me and You Forever

When I say this Sesame Ginger Tofu recipe is life-changing, I’m not exaggerating! I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make another tofu recipe as good as this one… I think I’ve reached the pinnacle of deliciousness! The crispy crunch, the satisfying chewiness, the roasted and toasty layers of the sesame flavours, and the marriage of sweet and salty goodness is almost too much to bear (*swoons*).

If you enjoyed this recipe you might also like my Tofu Teriyaki Casserole, BBQ Veggies & Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner, or my Asian-Inspired Tofu Salad Rolls!

Lastly, if you made any of these recipes and decide to share them on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @SteamyVegan and use hashtag #SteamyVegan! I seriously love seeing what you’re cooking up! Plus make sure to check me out on YouTube — I have HUNDREDS of videos to give you limitless plant-based inspiration!