Name: Vegan Bang Bang Tofu Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 15.5 ounces Extra-firm Tofu; ¼ cup Cornstarch; ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs; 2 tsp Garlic powder; 1 cup Vegan Mayonnaise; 2 tbsp Sriracha; ½ tsp White Sugar; ¼ tsp Salt; ½ tbsp Water (optional, to thin sauce)

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Introduction

This Vegan Bang Bang Tofu is a crispy, spicy, and creamy delight that’s perfect for a satisfying plant-based meal. With a crispy coating and a flavorful bang bang sauce, it’s sure to become a favorite for both vegans and non-vegans alike.

A bowl shows a base layer of cooked rice with a light beige color and soft texture, filling the entire bottom. On top, there is a pile of bite-sized fried pieces, each covered in thick, creamy orange sauce with a slightly glossy finish and small red pepper flakes. The fried pieces have a crispy golden exterior peeking out from the sauce. Scattered over the top are small, bright green chopped chives adding freshness and color contrast. The white bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible below. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

15.5 ounces Extra-firm Tofu
¼ cup Cornstarch
¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tsp Garlic powder
1 cup Vegan Mayonnaise
2 tbsp Sriracha
½ tsp White Sugar
¼ tsp Salt

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the extra firm tofu from its packaging and drain any excess water if packed in liquid.
Step 2: Wrap the tofu blocks in a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels and gently press to remove additional moisture.
Step 3: Place a light weight, such as a dinner plate, on top of the wrapped tofu and let it press for at least 5 minutes.
Step 4: Slice the pressed tofu into approximately 32 cubes, about 1-inch or smaller.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 400º Fahrenheit.
Step 6: In a mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, and garlic powder.
Step 7: Add the tofu cubes to the bowl and gently toss with your hands to evenly coat each piece.
Step 8: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread out the coated tofu cubes evenly on the pan.
Step 9: Bake the tofu at 400º Fahrenheit for 40 minutes until crispy and golden.
Step 10: While the tofu bakes, prepare the bang bang sauce by combining vegan mayonnaise, sriracha, white sugar, and salt in a bowl.
Step 11: Add up to ½ tablespoon of water if needed to thin the sauce, then mix well to combine.
Step 12: Once the tofu is done baking, transfer the crispy cubes into the bowl with the sauce.
Step 13: Gently toss the tofu with a spatula until all pieces are evenly coated in bang bang sauce.
Step 14: Serve the bang bang tofu over rice or on its own, and garnish with red pepper flakes and chopped chives or scallions if desired.

Tips & Variations

Pressing the tofu well is key to achieving a crisp texture—try pressing for 15–30 minutes if time allows.
For extra heat, increase the amount of sriracha or sprinkle additional red pepper flakes on top.
Use gluten-free panko to make this recipe gluten-free.
Serve with steamed vegetables or in lettuce wraps for a fresh twist.

Storage

Store leftover bang bang tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 375º Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until warmed through to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with two layers: the bottom layer is light brown rice with a soft, slightly sticky texture, while the top layer consists of golden-brown tofu cubes generously coated in a creamy, light orange spicy sauce. The tofu is garnished with small green sliced scallions and scattered dark red chili flakes, adding color contrast and texture. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular mayonnaise instead of vegan mayo?

Yes, you can substitute regular mayonnaise if you are not making this dish vegan. It will still taste delicious, though using vegan mayo keeps the recipe plant-based.

How do I make sure the tofu gets crispy?

Properly pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture and coating it evenly with cornstarch and panko breadcrumbs before baking are essential steps. Baking at a high temperature without overcrowding the pan helps achieve a crispy texture.