This candy and spicy vegan kung pao tofu recipe options oven-baked crispy tofu, bell peppers and onions in a flavorful, spicy sauce.
You’ll want only a few easy elements to make this Chinese language-inspired vegetarian model of kung pao rooster. This makes a yummy weeknight dinner and nice strategy to incorporate tofu into your eating regimen.
Taste-packed and fast and simple to make, it is a easy however daring dish you’ll like to make many times!
Serve over rice, topped with crunchy peanuts or cashews for a scrumptious meal!
Desk of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Vegan (no egg, meat or dairy).
- Will be gluten-free.
- Prepared in half-hour.
- Good for meal prep.
- Supply of plant-based protein.
Ingredient Notes
- Tofu: Further agency tofu is beneficial for this recipe although agency tofu can be utilized if that’s what you may have. I didn’t press the tofu however you’ll be able to should you like!
- Soy Sauce: Low sodium soy sauce (gentle soy sauce) is beneficial. For a gluten-free recipe, you’ll be able to substitute gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.
- Coconut Sugar: You may substitute brown sugar.
- Bell Peppers: I used one pink pepper and one inexperienced bell pepper however any selection works.
- Onion: I used pink onion however you’ll be able to substitute white or yellow onion.
- Sesame Oil: You should use common or toasted sesame oil, toasted is most popular. This contributes taste to the dish so I don’t advocate substituting a unique oil. For the tofu, you need to use olive oil, avocado oil, and so on.
- Rice Vinegar: I used unseasoned rice vinegar.
This listing will not be full. Please see the recipe card on the finish of the publish for the whole ingredient listing with measurements and detailed directions.
Variations
- For a extra conventional supply of warmth, omit the pink pepper flakes from the sauce and add 3-4 entire dried pink chilies once you add the garlic and ginger. Take away the chilies earlier than serving. Dried pink chilies will be present in a Latin American or Asian grocery retailer.
- The tofu will be baked, air fryed or pan-fried. See the Recipe FAQs and notes within the recipe card for how-to.
- You may swap out the greens for broccoli, carrot, bok choy, cauliflower, zucchini, snow peas, child corn or eggplant. Cooking instances will differ. You’ll want a bit longer to cook dinner cauliflower, carrot and eggplant. It’s beneficial to solely add an extra 1 cup of greens.
- 2-4 tsp pink pepper flakes is beneficial however you’ll be able to cut back it to 1 tsp should you’re delicate to spice. If you happen to don’t like warmth in any respect, I’d recommend a unique recipe like my Orange Tofu or Vegan Candy and Bitter Tofu Recipe.
- This might be made as kung pao chickpeas for an excellent less complicated and soy-free recipe (foys soy-free you’ll have to swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos as nicely). Omit the tofu. Add 1 19 oz can rinsed chickpeas with the garlic and proceed with the remainder of the recipe.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Toss the tofu cubes with 1 tsp sesame oil and the soy sauce, cornstarch, pepper and garlic powder.
Step 2: Place the tofu cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes till golden brown.
Step 3: As soon as the tofu is within the oven, combine the entire sauce elements in a small bowl or container.
Step 4: When the tofu has just below 10 minutes left, warmth the sesame in a big wok, forged iron skillet or non-stick skillet over medium warmth after which add the garlic and ginger. Cook dinner for 1-2 minutes, stirring ceaselessly.
Step 5: Add the peppers and onions and stir fry for 3 minutes till tender however nonetheless crisp.
Step 6: Stir the stir fry sauce once more after which pour it into the pan cook dinner, vibrant to a simmer and cook dinner for 1-2 minutes till it begins thickening. Add the baked tofu items, combine nicely and cook dinner one other 3-4 minutes till thickened to your liking.
Serve your kung pao tofu over brown or white rice, topped with inexperienced onions, sesame seeds and peanuts or cashews.
Recipe FAQs
You retailer kung pao tofu in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat leftovers over medium warmth in a skillet or within the microwave till heated via.
I don’t normally press extra-firm tofu as a result of it doesn’t have a excessive water content material however urgent it’ll assist take away any extra liquid it does have and assist enhance texture and taste absorption, when you have the time.
To press the tofu, place the block in a tofu press or between paper towels or a clear kitchen towel and place a heavy object on it for 15-20 minutes.
With a full tablespoon of pink pepper flakes, the kung pao sauce is kind of spicy. I don’t have a really excessive tolerance for spicy meals and I can eat it however it’s positively sizzling.
If you happen to’re delicate to spicy meals, cut back the pink pepper flakes to 1 tsp.
Sure. Toss the tofu with the corn starch, soy sauce, garlic powder and black pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 37 5 F. Place the tofu cubes in a single layer within the air fryer basket and air fry 15-20 minutes, flipping half means via till the items are golden and cirspy.
Chef’s Notes
- I desire baked tofu for the proper crispy texture however you’ll be able to pan-fry the tofu if most popular. See recipe notes for how-to.
- If you happen to desire the cashews or peanuts softened, add them to the stir fry once you add the sauce as an alternative of utilizing them as a topping.
- I imagine the recipe has the proper steadiness between the sauce, tofu, and greens; nevertheless, should you want an additional veggies, be at liberty to include as much as an extra cup.
- This isn’t an genuine kung pao recipe however my model of the traditional Chinese language dish.
Did you do this recipe? I’d love to listen to about it! Scroll right down to the remark part to depart a star ranking and evaluate.
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Description
Take pleasure in a flavorful and satisfying Vegan Kung Pao Tofu Stir-Fry, that includes crispy cubes of tofu tossed, vibrant greens and crunchy cashews, all tossed in a candy and spicy do-it-yourself sauce.
For the Tofu
For the Stir Fry
For the Sauce
- Put together: Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Coat Tofu: Place the cubed tofu in a bowl with the oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic powder and black pepper. Gently combine with a rubber spatula to coat.
- Bake Tofu: Place the tofu cubes on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes till browned and puffy. Notice: The tofu can be pan-fried, see notes, although I desire the feel of baked.
- Combine Sauce: As soon as the tofu is within the oven, combine the sauce elements in any container or bowl.
- Begin Stir Fry: When the tofu has just below 10 minutes left, warmth the sesame oil in a big wok or non-stick skillet over medium warmth. Add the garlic and ginger and cook dinner for 1-2 minutes, stirring ceaselessly. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook dinner for 3 minutes, stirring typically, till tender however nonetheless crisp.
- Add Sauce and Tofu: Stir the sauce once more and pour it into the pan. Convey to a simmer and cook dinner whereas stirring for 1-2 minutes till it begins thickening. Add the baked tofu cubes, combine nicely to coat in sauce and cook dinner for one more couple of minutes till thickened to your liking.
- Serve: Serve the kung pao tofu over rice or with lettuce cups. Prime with the crushed cashews and chopped inexperienced onions.
Notes
To pan-fry tofu, toss the tofu within the cornstarch, garlic powder, black pepper and soy sauce and pan-fry in 2-3 tsp oil. Cook dinner 6-7 minutes, flipping typically till golden brown on all sides. Add the garlic, ginger and peppers, cook dinner 4-5 minutes till the veggies are tender. Add the sauce and stir till thickened. I desire the feel of baked tofu.
*Use 1-4 tsp chili flakes based mostly on spice choice. I don’t tolerate spicy meals that nicely and a pair of tsp is greatest for me. If you happen to’re delicate to spice, cut back to 1 tsp. If you happen to love warmth, you’ll be able to improve to 4 tsp. That is meant to be a spicy recipe, so for an excellent quantity of warmth for those who get pleasure from spicy meals, 1 tbsp (3 tsp) is beneficial. For a extra genuine supply of warmth, omit the pink pepper flakes from the sauce and add 3-4 entire dried pink chilies with the garlic and ginger. Take away earlier than serving.
Diet info don’t embody cashews, inexperienced onion or rice.
Diet
- Serving Dimension: 1
- Energy: 238
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 959 mg
- Fats: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
