Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu
A plant-powered dish featuring chewy rice noodles coated in nutty peanut sauce, topped with crispy baked tofu and crunchy vegetables. This asian-inspired asian (vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs rice noodles, firm tofu, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 14 oz firm tofu
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- 1 cup carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Press 14 oz firm tofu to remove excess water, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp olive oil, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Step 2: Cook 8 oz rice noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water for 6-7 minutes until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Step 3: Whisk together 2 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp grated ginger in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup shredded carrots and 1 cup broccoli florets, and sauté for 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Add drained noodles and peanut sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
- Step 5: Divide noodles among bowls, top with crispy tofu, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp sesame seeds and 1 sliced green onion.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Vegan Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.