
Baked Tofu and Peanut Wrap
Crispy baked tofu tossed in a spiced peanut coating, wrapped in soft tortillas with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of sriracha-peanut sauce. This vegan Southeast Asian–inspired wrap is satisfying, quick to assemble, and perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Steps
Before you start
- Press tofu to remove excess moisture (30 minutes ahead or while you prep other ingredients)
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
Make peanut sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, minced ginger, sriracha, and warm water.
- Stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and slightly warm.
- The sauce should be pourable but thick enough to coat a spoon.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
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Ready when: Sauce is smooth, warm, and coats the back of a spoon
Tip: Whisk constantly to prevent peanut butter from lumping; if the sauce is too thick, add a splash more warm water.
Coat tofu in spice mixture
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Working in two batches if needed, toss the pressed tofu cubes in the vegetable oil first to coat lightly, then toss in the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.
- Some cubes will stick together slightly—gently break them apart before spreading on the baking sheet.
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Ready when: All tofu cubes are evenly coated with a thin, uniform white layer
Tip: Don't skip pressing the tofu—excess moisture will steam it rather than crisping it. The cornstarch coating will become golden and crunchy in the oven.
Bake tofu until crispyOven 425°F / 220°C
- Spread the coated tofu cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 22–25 minutes, stirring the tray halfway through (around the 12-minute mark), until the edges are golden brown and crispy and the surface has a light crackling texture.
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Ready when: Tofu cubes are golden brown on the edges with a slightly crispy, textured surface
Tip: Don't crowd the pan—if your baking sheet is small, use two sheets. Crispy tofu is much more satisfying than soft tofu in a wrap.
Cool tofu slightly
- Remove the tofu from the oven and let it rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so it stops steaming and the exterior sets firm.
- The tofu will continue to crisp a little as it cools.
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Ready when: Tofu is cool enough to handle without steaming, surface is firm to the touch
Warm tortillas
- While the tofu cools, warm the tortillas.
- If they are cold or stiff, place them directly over a gas flame for a few seconds per side, wrap them in a damp kitchen towel and microwave for 30 seconds, or warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20 seconds per side.
- Warm tortillas are much easier to roll without cracking.
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Ready when: Tortillas are soft, pliable, and warm to the touch
Tip: Warm tortillas are key to a wrap that doesn't crack when you roll it. If using a skillet, don't let them brown.
Assemble wraps
- Lay a warm tortilla flat on a clean surface.
- Spread or drizzle about 2–3 tablespoons of the peanut sauce (made in Step 1) in a thin line across the center of the tortilla, leaving 2 inches clear on all sides.
- Layer on roughly one-quarter of the baked tofu cubes, followed by one-quarter of the carrots, cucumber, red cabbage, and cilantro.
- Top with a few sesame seeds and sliced scallions if using.
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Ready when: Filling is evenly distributed across the center of the tortilla with space to fold
Tip: Don't overfill—the wrap will burst when you roll it. Keep fillings in a tight line down the center.
Roll wraps tightly
- Fold in the left and right sides of the tortilla about 2 inches over the filling to seal in any loose ingredients.
- Then, starting from the bottom edge closest to you, roll the tortilla tightly away from you, tucking the filling in as you go.
- The wrap should be snug but not squeezed so hard it breaks.
- Place seam-side down on a plate.
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Ready when: Wrap is rolled tightly with seam facing down and no gaps or loose filling visible
Tip: A snug roll prevents the wrap from falling apart when you bite into it. If the wrap cracks, wrap the outside with a piece of parchment or foil to hold it together.
Good to know
Tips
- Press your tofu thoroughly—even 30 minutes makes a huge difference in how crispy it becomes. Use a tofu press or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top.
- The peanut sauce is the soul of this wrap. Taste it before assembling and adjust the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy to your preference by adding a touch more peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, or sriracha.
- Prep all your vegetables while the tofu bakes so assembly is quick and the wraps stay fresh and warm.
- If you prefer the tofu less spicy, reduce the sriracha to 0.5–1 teaspoon in the sauce and add a touch of honey or maple syrup for balance.
Make ahead
Baked tofu can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp. The peanut sauce can be made 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; whisk in a splash of warm water before serving if it has thickened. Assemble wraps just before eating for the best texture.
Storage & reheating
Wrapped tightly in parchment or foil, the assembled wraps will keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Refrigerate for up to 1 day (the tortilla may become slightly softer); rewarm briefly in a skillet if desired. Store baked tofu and sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze assembled wraps.
Substitutions
- natural peanut butter → Almond butter or sunflower seed butter. Use the same amount and adjust the consistency with warm water if needed. The flavor will be slightly milder and less sweet.
- large flour or whole wheat tortillas → Rice paper wraps or collard green leaves. Rice paper wraps must be softened in warm water first; collard leaves should be blanched for 1 minute to soften. Both create a lighter, lower-carb wrap.
- sriracha → Chili flake, hot sauce, or sambal oelek. Use 1 teaspoon chili flake or 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Adjust to your heat tolerance; sambal will add a deeper chili flavor.
- firm tofu, pressed → Tempeh, crumbled and baked with the same coating. Tempeh has a nuttier flavor and will stay crispier. Increase bake time to 25–28 minutes if using larger pieces.





