Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu with Spicy Peanut Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Golden pan-fried tofu cubes served with a rich, spicy peanut sauce for a satisfying plant-based meal. This Asian Fusion vegan recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, and creamy peanut butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp sriracha
1/4 cup water
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts

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Instructions

Step 1: Press 14 oz extra-firm tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss cubes gently in 1/4 cup cornstarch until evenly coated.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes in a single layer and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 cup water until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Return skillet to medium heat and pour in peanut sauce, warming for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Add tofu back to the skillet and toss gently to coat each piece with the spicy peanut sauce.
Step 6: Serve sprinkled with 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.