Crispy Coconut Tofu Stir Fry (Printable)
Golden coconut-crusted tofu with colorful stir-fried vegetables in zesty soy-lime sauce.
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Crispy Coconut Tofu
01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - ¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk
03 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
04 - ½ cup cornstarch
05 - ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
06 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - 2 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or sunflower
→ For the Stir Fry Veggies
10 - 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
11 - 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
13 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
14 - 1 cup broccoli florets
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
18 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
19 - 1 tsp maple syrup or agave syrup
20 - 2 tbsp water
→ For Garnish
21 - 2 spring onions, sliced
22 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
23 - Lime wedges
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 410°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a shallow bowl, combine coconut milk and 1 tbsp soy sauce. In a second bowl, mix cornstarch, shredded coconut, panko, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dip tofu cubes first in the coconut milk mixture, then coat evenly in the coconut-panko mixture.
04 - Arrange tofu on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle or spray with oil. Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
05 - While tofu bakes, heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
06 - Add bell peppers, carrot, snap peas, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until just tender-crisp.
07 - In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, maple syrup, and water. Pour over the veggies and stir to coat. Remove from heat.
08 - Serve the crispy coconut tofu on top of the stir-fry veggies. Garnish with spring onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The coconut crust creates this incredible crunch that makes you forget you're eating tofu
- You get that takeout satisfaction without the heavy grease or delivery wait time
02 -
- Press your tofu for at least 15 minutes, I've rushed this before and the coating slides right off
- Don't crowd the baking sheet, the tofu needs space to get crispy on all sides
03 -
- Use an air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 14 to 16 minutes if you want even crispier results
- Cut your tofu uniformly so everything cooks at the same rate