Thai Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu
Laurel Braun
These rich and creamy peanut noodles taste rich but are lightened up by vegetable broth and tons of veggies so it doesn’t bog you down. This recipe is high in protein, rich in minerals, and a good source of B-vitamins!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Bowls, Lunch & Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Thai
Servings 4
Calories 544 kcal
Peanut Sauce
- 1 cup “chicken” vegetable broth
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or GF tamari
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1-2 tbsp chili paste or sriracha
- 1 inch fresh ginger peeled and grated
- 3 garlic cloves minced
Crispy Tofu
- 350 g block extra-firm tofu pressed and cut into ½” bite sized pieces
- 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp ponzu sauce or soy sauce or GF tamari
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Stir Fry
- ½ lb rice noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded broccoli stems or extra cabbage
- ⅓ cup roasted peanuts chopped
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- lime wedges
Peanut Sauce
In a medium frying pan or small pot, add the stock, peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup (or other sweetener), sriracha/chili paste, garlic, and ginger. Whisk to combine as you heat it over medium until it’s lightly bubbling. Cook for about 10 minutes over a low simmer until it begins to thicken.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil to prepare the noodles. Add the noodles to the hot water (not actively boiling) and set them sit in the hot water and “cook” for 10 minutes.
Crispy Tofu
Start by pressing your tofu! Ideally, fresh tofu would have been pressed for 2 hours prior to cooking, but 20-30 minutes will also do the trick. Extra short on time? Pat them dry to ensure any excess moisture is removed prior to cooking.
Preheat the oven to 450°F prior to marinating the tofu or preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Cut the tofu into 1/2 inch pieces and toss in the oil and ponzu (or soy sauce/tamari). Then, tossing as you go, add the cornstarch to coat evenly.
Oven: Spread them out on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook for 20 – 30 minutes in the oven or until desired crispiness is achieved. Turn the tofu once while cooking.
Air fryer: Cut the tofu into 1/2 inch pieces and toss in the oil and ponzu (or soy sauce/tamari). Then, tossing as you go, add the cornstarch to coat evenly. Once the air fryer is hot, toss the tofu into the basket, shake gently to distribute the pieces evenly, and bake for 10-12 minutes at 370°-375°F, tossing at least twice, ideally 3-4 times while baking.
Stir Fry
Check your noodles to see if they’re cooked, if they are soft (with a slight chew), drain them and toss them lightly in a sprinkle of oil to keep them from sticking. Set aside.
Preheat a wok or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the wok is hot, add the oil in a ring around the outside and add the green onions. Stirring frequently, cook for 1 minute until the onions begin to wilt, then add the carrots, cabbage, and broccoli stems.
Cook for an additional minute, tossing to heat evenly, before adding the peanut sauce, noodles, and cooked tofu. The sauce should thicken quickly. Toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce before topping with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and chopped peanuts to serve.
Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce or ponzu sauce. Note not all tamari is gluten free.
Adapted from Skinnytaste’s Asian Peanut Noodles
Nutrition Per Serving : Calories 544 kcal | Carbohydrates 68.7 g | Protein 25.2 g | Fat 20.5 g | Sodium 1,884 mg | Potassium 657 mg | Fiber 6.1 g | Calcium: 401.5 mg | Iron: 3.8 mg
Keyword 30 minutes or less, 60 minutes or less, air fryer, any season, dairy-free, egg free, gluten-free, high protein, meat alternative recipes, oven, quick meals, stove top, tofu recipes, vegan, vegetarian