Crispy baked tofu satay served with peanut sauce. This high-protein appetizer is marinaded and then baked for the most delicious tofu ever.
A few years ago (well…more than a few really…) Jaye and I went to New York City for a month-long visit. We were there to record music for our first album, or should I say ‘only’ album so far.
But aside from music, the biggest fun we had was vegan restaurants. We spent an insane amount of money (that we only realized once we got home and tallied up the damages, oh the naivety!) eating out at ALL the fancy vegan and raw vegan places in New York.
One place was our total favorite. It was called ‘Soy and Sake’ and had an awesome, and very extensive, vegan menu. I was so sad to hear this place is no longer, because seriously we’d make a trip to New York JUST for this restaurant!
One of the things we had every time we went there was tofu satay with peanut sauce. It was simply divine!
Ever since then, every time we’re in any restaurant and see the word ‘satay’ we always get so excited but it’s NEVER tofu, it’s always chicken! So sad!
We’ve even asked (many times) if they can do it with tofu for us, but the answer has always been no. So we never had tofu satay again – until now!
This dish takes a bit of time, but the bulk of it is hands off time, just while the tofu is pressing and then marinating and then baking, but the time spent is totally worth it.
You get the most deliciously impressive appetizer out of your effort. Putting in a bit of effort isn’t the issue, it’s just that you want the result to be worth it, and this is.
How To Make Tofu Satay
You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.
So there are a few stages to it. You first have to press the tofu. A tofu press is super helpful for this step! Though you can also just press it by putting it on a plate with another plate on top of it and then stack something heavy on top of that. We tried it without pressing it first and it was still okay but the tofu was much more fragile and breakable. So pressing it first takes care of that issue.
And then you marinade it in a simple marinade of soy sauce, peanut butter, brown sugar, dried basil and garlic powder.
Then transfer to a parchment lined baking tray and bake for around 20-25 minutes until crispy (turning over once).
While the tofu is baking you whip up your peanut sauce, which you heat gently in a saucepan and then squeeze in some lime.
And once the tofu is baked to perfection, you let it cool for a bit and then place the tofu onto satay sticks.
Serve with fresh lime and cilantro!
A Perfect Appetizer
It makes a perfect appetizer and about 2 tofu satay per person is probably good. Don’t make the mistake we did and eat all of it (12 satays) with only 2 people!
Sure, we had it for lunch and it wasn’t an appetizer, but it is much more filling than it looks.
Storing Tips
This does keep very well so if you have leftovers you can keep them stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
We had some leftover peanut sauce that Jaye was serving on noodles the next day. The peanut sauce does firm up quite a bit in the fridge, but when put onto hot food that isn’t an issue (or you can reheat it).
More Delicious Vegan Appetizers
- Vegan Chicken Nuggets
- Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- Vegan Dumplings
- Crispy BBQ Tofu
- Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower
- Baked Portobello Mushrooms
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Firm Tofu (450g) Two 8-ounce blocks
For the Marinade Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Light Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ½ Small Onion White, Yellow or Brown, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Crushed Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Red Curry Paste
- 1 Tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Tamarind Paste
- 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Coconut Milk (120ml) Canned, Full Fat, Unsweetened
- ⅓ cup Peanut Butter (83g)
- ½ Small Lime squeezed
For Serving:
- Fresh Cilantro
- Fresh Lime
- Crushed Peanuts
Instructions
- Press the tofu for 30 minutes either using a tofu press or by placing the tofu on a plate, with another plate on top of it and then piling some heavy stuff on top, like a heavy pot.
- While the tofu is pressing prepare the marinade sauce. Add the soy sauce, peanut butter, brown sugar, dried basil and garlic powder to a dish and use a whisk to mix together.
- When the tofu is pressed, cut each block into 5-6 strips and place them in the marinade sauce, using a teaspoon to put marinade sauce on top of the tofu strips as well so that there is marinade on the top and bottom of the tofu.
- Leave the tofu in the marinade sauce for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 430°F (220°C).
- Place the marinaded tofu carefully onto a parchment lined baking tray. Bake for 25 minutes, turning over at the fifteen minute mark and then putting it back in for another 10 minutes.
- While the tofu is baking prepare your peanut sauce.
- Finely chop up half a small onion or quarter of a larger onion and add to a saucepan with the crushed garlic, sesame oil and red curry paste. Sauté until the onion is slightly softened. Add in the soy sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar and coconut milk and stir in well. Then add in the peanut butter and stir until perfectly mixed and smooth. The sauce will be quite thick. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice.
- Remove the tofu from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before skewering them on the satay sticks.
- Serve with the peanut sauce, fresh cilantro, fresh lime and crushed peanuts.
Video
Notes
- To make this meal gluten-free ensure you use a gluten-free soy sauce or use tamari instead.
- Check the red curry paste for vegan friendliness as some brands contain fish oil.
- Prep time does not include time spent pressing the tofu.
- Nutritional info includes the sauce.
How essential is the Tamarind paste for the sauce? I have all the other ingredients on hand and want to make it without having to try and track it down locally!
Love this recipe. I’ve served it to vegetarians and non-veg people, and its always a winner with everyone. I also shared the recipe with someone who wanted to know different ways of cooking Tofu, cause she thought tofu was bland, and she loved it too.
That’s so awesome Deborah! Thanks so much for the wonderful review.
Will the sauce be okay to sit for a couple of days? i want to prep it now and have on boxing day
Yes sure, store it in the fridge and it will be fine.
This is by far one of the best tofu recipes I have ever made! The sauce is amazing!! The consistency of the tofu is great. Would recommend to anyone who loves tofu and peanut sauce! Even if you’re not a fan of tofu this might win you over!
Thanks so much Bryanna!
This was great. I didn’t do as skewers, just over rice with a side salad. Easy to use, I used lemon instead of lime as I didn’t have any lime, and had to use a bit more lemon juice than the recipe called for as it was a little thick. Sent it to my sister to cook for my vegan niece
Awesome, thanks for sharing Fran!
I am always on the hunt for vegan protein recipes and this really hit the mark. I made only the satay and by itself, is an amazing addition if you are ever in the need of protein.
Awesome, thanks Hannah!
Hey there – looking forward to making this appetizer for a lunch birthday party where we’re doing prep ahead for as much as possible because it’ll be 97 party day. If I bake days ahead would you recommend warming up (~350 degrees for 10 minutes?) the day of and/or undercooking a bit a day before?
Thanks!
Beth
Hi Beth, I don’t think you’ll need to undercook it, just cook it as usual and then heat up on the day. All the best!
How off would the sauce be if I substituted the coconut milk with another dairy free milk?
I think it would still work fine.
This turned out incredible! Thank you for the great recipe!
So happy to hear that! Thanks for updating us!
Hi there,
Such a delicious recipe. I don’t know if I made it correctly but mine could have easily been marinated chicken with satay sauce. It was divine! I did get the satay sauce too sweet and thick though. ..is there any way you suggest thinning it out?
Hi Erin, so glad you enjoyed it! If your sauce is a bit too thick, you can thin it out with extra coconut milk or even just water and whisk it in.
I’ve made this recipe a few times over the last couple of months and love it (my mum enjoyed it as an intorduction to tofu, which she previously claimed to dislike before admitting she had never tried it….). I tend to make double quantities of the sauce and freeze it to avoid too much leftover ingredients (and saves a bit of work next time I want to make it).
Awesome Lily! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi, it sounds really yummy , tasty and healthy. I’m going to make it soon. Could you please tell me whether I should use grilling option in oven or grill with fan option. I tried grilling tofu before, it didn’t come out crisp.
Hi Puja, this is actually baked and not grilled. So your oven should be heated to 430°F.