Crispy Tofu Skewers with Almond Sauce

Crispy tofu skewers with almond sauce may sound a bit out of character for this blog, considering all the fancy sweet recipes we are known for posting!

But we are always branching out and experimenting with some more practical savory dishes. Because, as fun as it is to eat vegan chocolate fudge all the time, it’s probably not that sensible…

These crispy tofu and cauliflower skewers are a breeze to make, and are absolutely addictive when served with our guilt-free almond sauce. We guarantee you’ll be enjoying this sauce with other recipes as well. SO GOOD. 🤤

Note that while we use cauliflower as the vegetable for this recipe, feel free to get creative and use whichever ones you like! Bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini… The possibilities are endless. 

Are Crispy Tofu Skewers Vegan?

They are indeed! We use 100% plant-based ingredients for the skewers and the accompanying sauce.

What are Crispy Tofu Skewers Made Of?

For the tofu, you’ll need:

• Olive oil
• Tofu block (drained, dried, and cubed)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the curry cauliflower, you’ll need:

• Cauliflower head
• Olive oil
• Curry powder

For the almond sauce, you’ll need:

• Almond butter
• Coconut milk
• Lime juice
• Coconut aminos
• Garlic, grated
• Ginger, grated
• Salt to taste

How to Make Tofu Skewers

There are two ways you can make these tofu skewers: in an oven or on a grill.

If you are using an oven, preheat the oven to 350°F. While it’s heating up, cut the cauliflower into florets. Transfer the florets to a mixing bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the curry powder, and mix.

Then transfer the seasoned cauliflower to a baking sheet and bake on 350°F until golden and slightly crisp. Set aside.

Next, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan on a high heat. Season the tofu with salt and pepper, and carefully add to the hot pan. If the olive oil starts to splash, cover the pan, while allowing steam to escape (leave an opening). Cook until the tofu is golden on all sides, and set aside.

When the cauliflower and tofu are cooked, add them to the skewers, garnish with cilantro, and serve with the almond sauce. This is made by adding all the almond sauce ingredients to a blender, and blending until smooth. Simple!

If you are using a grill, cut and season the cauliflower in the same way as previously mentioned, then assemble onto the skewers with the uncooked tofu.

Pre-heat your grill on a high heat, grease with some olive oil, and cook the skewers for a few minutes on each side until the tofu is golden brown. 

Season with salt and pepper as soon as you finish cooking. Garnish the skewers with cilantro, and serve with the almond sauce and wedges of lime.

FAQ

How Long Do these Crispy Tofu Skewers Last?

If you have some leftovers, then you can store these skewers in the fridge for up to 4 days. All them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container before storing in your fridge.

Can You Freeze Crispy Tofu Skewers?

In theory you can, although the consistency of the tofu and cauliflower will change when frozen then thawed. The dish loses some quality after doing this, so we don’t recommend it.

How Long Does Tofu Take to Get Crispy?

Tofu can be an awesome ingredient to cook with, but it can take some practice to cook it right. Particularly if you want it crispy!

Firstly, we recommend using extra-firm tofu as this crisps up the best. Be sure to drain and dry it as best you can, using a tofu press and some paper towels.

Then cut your tofu into small cubes – tofu cubes that are too big take much longer to crisp.

Cook your tofu for at least 20 minutes, being sure to turn the tofu every few minutes when in the pan, or at least once every ten minutes in the oven.

One common error is to allow the tofu to stick to the pan. When you scrape the tofu off the pan, the crispy coating will be lost! So use a good non-stick pan and use a generous splash of oil when cooking.

Another tip is to toss the tofu in a little pure cornstarch or arrowroot powder before cooking as this will enhance the crispiness!

Are Crispy Tofu Skewers Healthy?

Yes! The combination of tofu and cauliflower, served with our creamy almond sauce is as healthy as it is delicious.

Tofu and cauliflower are both high in fiber, while tofu is high in protein. In fact, it is one of the best plant-based sources of protein, with around 8g protein per 100g and all nine essential amino acids. 💪

As for nutrients, tofu is very high in calcium, with just 1/2 cup of tofu boasting 400-450mg calcium (which is around 40% of an adult’s RDA). Cauliflower is a good source of vitamin C, with around 70% of the RDA in just one cup.

Then comes our almond sauce, which has almond butter – a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL cholesterol (that’s the ‘bad’ cholesterol).

Looking for other practical high-protein dinner recipes? Check out these!

Easy Vegan Pad Thai

Vegan Indian Curry

BBQ Tofu

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photos with @healthiir on Instagram! We’d love to see your creation. Let’s eat!