Maple Sesame Tofu Recipe

If you haven't yet cooked with tofu, you're missing out on one of the most affordable, accessible, and extremely versatile foods. It's considered a staple in various cultures because of these reasons and is an excellent alternative to meat for vegetarians and vegans. The best part about tofu is that its neutral flavor takes on the seasonings that it's cooked with whether it's fried, grilled, blended into smoothies, used in soup, stir-fries, salads, or even desserts. 

Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for maple sesame tofu and says, "I am a huge tofu fan and always have many packages of it in my fridge at all times. Now that super firm tofu has become available in the last few years, I think that is making it easier for people who are new to cooking with tofu because you can skip the pressing step." Hahn also notes that super firm tofu works especially well in this recipe, so get ready to bring some sweet and savory flavor to the popular plant-based protein.

To make this recipe, you only need five simple ingredients. If you can find super firm tofu, grab that. "An easy way to spot super firm tofu is it won't be packed in water. It's usually wrapped so you can clearly see the tofu unlike the other types that just show the tofu label," Hahn explains. Then you'll need some sesame oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, and toasted sesame seeds. "If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use Tamari soy sauce," Hahn shares.

Start this step by preheating the oven to 400 F. Remove the tofu from the package and dry it off with a paper towel or a clean dish towel. If you weren't able to find super firm tofu you will need to press the water out. You can do this by placing the tofu in a shallow bowl, then placing a plate on top of the tofu, then stacking something heavy (like a cast-iron skillet) on top of the plate. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then discard the water that has collected in the shallow bowl. Cut the tofu into bite size cubes and place them into a Ziploc bag or reusable silicone bag.

In a small bowl combine the oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Pour it into the bag with the tofu and shake the bag to coat the tofu. "I find that this is the quickest and easiest way to distribute the marinade over the tofu, but you can also use a container with an airtight lid, if necessary," Hahn says. Add in the sesame seeds and shake again to coat the tofu. If you want to do this step ahead of time, you can leave the bag ready to go in the fridge for up to two days in advance.

Spread the tofu out onto a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, giving it a good stir on the baking sheet at the halfway point. "The tofu will be golden brown, slightly crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside," Hahn says. "The nutty sesame seeds on the outside give the tofu such good flavor and added texture."

The tofu pairs well with steamed broccoli and rice or you can add it to a stir-fry. "I love to make a double batch of this tofu and keep it in my fridge to add to meals during the week. It's honestly great to snack on too, just on its own," Hahn says. The tofu will last all week in the fridge if kept in an airtight container.