Description
Spicy Sichuan bang bang tofu delivers complex heat and crispy texture from China’s culinary traditions. Crunchy tofu cubes glazed with chili sauce create an irresistible meal perfect for adventurous palates seeking bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15.5 oz (439 g) extra-firm tofu
- ¼ cup (30 g) panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp white sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) sriracha
Instructions
- Tofu Preparation: Drain tofu completely and wrap in kitchen towel, pressing out excess moisture under a light weight for 5-10 minutes to achieve optimal texture.
- Coating Preparation: Mix cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, and garlic powder in a wide bowl, creating a seasoned crispy coating for the tofu cubes.
- Cube and Coat: Slice tofu into uniform cubes and meticulously roll each piece in the prepared coating mixture, ensuring full and even coverage.
- Baking Process: Arrange coated tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer, then roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until achieving a golden, crisp exterior.
- Sauce Creation: While tofu bakes, whisk together vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, granulated sugar, and salt to craft the signature bang bang sauce.
- Final Assembly: Remove tofu from oven and generously coat with prepared sauce, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Serving: Plate the sauced tofu and garnish with red pepper flakes and finely chopped chives for an additional burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Tofu Moisture Removal: Press tofu thoroughly to eliminate excess water, ensuring a crispier and more flavorful result.
- Coating Technique: Use a gentle tumbling motion when coating tofu cubes to create an even, consistent crispy layer that adheres perfectly.
- Baking Spacing: Arrange tofu pieces in a single layer without touching to guarantee maximum crispiness and even browning from all sides.
- Sauce Application: Toss tofu in sauce immediately after baking while still hot to help the coating absorb flavors and maintain optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg