Description
Experience a vibrant, spicy stir-fry with this Thai Basil Tofu, also known as Tofu Pad Krapow! Crispy baked tofu cubes are tossed with fragrant garlic, fiery Thai chilies, and a bold blend of soy and vegetarian oyster sauces. Finished with fresh Thai basil, this plant-based twist on a classic Thai favorite is bursting with flavor and perfect served over steaming rice. Trust me, you’re going to love this satisfying, easy-to-make dish! #ThaiBasilTofu #PadKrapow #SpicyVeganDelight
Ingredients
Scale
Baked Tofu
- 16 oz high-protein organic super firm tofu
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp corn starch
Thai Basil Tofu (Tofu Pad Krapow)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (or any cooking oil)
- 6 cloves garlic (processed or minced)
- 4 fresh hot red Thai chilies (use 6 for extra spice; if large chilies, use 2 for spicy, 1 for mild)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped red onions or shallots
- 1½ cups fresh Thai basil
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp organic raw cane sugar or palm sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Press tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut into cubes. Toss with salt, black pepper, and corn starch until evenly coated.
- Arrange tofu cubes on a lined baking tray and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Alternatively, pan-fry tofu cubes in oil over medium heat until golden and crispy on all sides.
- Heat avocado oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add garlic and red Thai chilies, sautéing until fragrant and aromatic.
- Add chopped red onions or shallots and cook until softened and translucent.
- Stir in the baked tofu cubes, mixing well to combine.
- Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, raw cane sugar, and water. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted and fragrant.
- Serve hot, ideally over steamed jasmine rice, and enjoy the bold, spicy, and fresh flavors!
Notes
- Pressing tofu well is essential to get that perfect crispy texture.
- Adjust the number of Thai chilies to your heat preference.
- If vegetarian oyster sauce is unavailable, substitute with mushroom sauce or soy sauce.
- Use fresh Thai basil for authentic aroma—holy basil works too if available.
- For added crunch, sprinkle toasted cashews or peanuts on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg