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Murielle Banackissa

Sweet and Spicy Nooch Coated Tofu

Print recipe
15 mins Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins
Serves 4
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Made with 8 easy to find ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, this Sweet and Spicy Nooch Coated Tofu is a wonderful flavour-packed recipe to whip up when you are in a rush or on weeknights. Serve it alongside some rice and other veggies of choice and you’ve got yourself a protein packed dinner!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup nutritional yeast (aka nooch)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp tamari
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sambal oelek or sriracha
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 pound block of extra firm tofu
  • 2 tsp avocado oil

Recipe

  1. Step 1

    Add nutritional yeast, maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, sambal oelek and garlic powder into a bowl. Mix to combine.

  2. Step 2

    In the same bowl, break the tofu into bite sized chunks. Toss in the nooch mixture to coat.

  3. Step 3

    Preheat a pan to medium-low heat along with oil.

  4. Step 4

    Once hot, drop the tofu and cook until the tofu is golden (about 5-8 minutes), stirring regularly.

  5. Step 5

    Serve alongside any grain and other veggies.

Common Questions & Swaps

This recipe is inspired by @loounie’s Tofu Magique. 

Common Questions & Swaps:

  • I can’t find nutritional yeast; can I replace it? Unfortunately, it is one of the key ingredients here so you do need it in this recipe. However, you can find nutritional yeast online (on Amazon) or in most health food stores, if not available in regular grocery shops around you.

  • Can I substitute the tamari with something else? Yes, absolutely. Soy sauce would work great here. Just be sure to use only 1 1/2 tablespoons as it is more salty than tamari. Also, another alternative would be coconut aminos. If using coconut aminos, you can stick to 2 tablespoons’ worth.

  • I have no sambal oelek or sriracha, is there another alternative? Yes, you could use chili garlic sauce if you have that on hand. Or simply skip that ingredient.

  • Can I use another texture of tofu (e.g. medium or firm)? I would suggest sticking to extra firm tofu because it is the one that has the least water. If you used medium or even firm tofu, the nutritional yeast mixture might not stick as well onto the tofu and the result won’t be as successful.

  • Can I use tempeh instead of tofu? I think tempeh could work well here, just be sure to use the same quantity (454g), break it into chunks and steam it for about 10 minutes before coating it with the nutritional yeast mixture.

Sweet and spicy tofu in a plink plate served with rice and bok choy.
Plate of nutritional yeast coated tofu with rice and bok choy on a green backdrop.
Closeup of sweet and spicy tofu in a plate with rice.
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Raise your hand if you too once thought that tofu was flavourless?

I am raising both of my hands right now! I went as far as thinking that on top of being flavourless, it was also completely gross and could not understand for the life of me how some people could eat it.

Granted, that was way before I went vegan and before actually giving tofu a fair chance. Since going vegan almost 4 years ago, my thoughts on tofu have done a literal 180! I loooove tofu so much! Yes, straight out of the packaging it is not great, but is raw chicken straight out of the wrapping good? Nope.

Because of its very mild flavour and because you can find all types of tofu (from silky smooth to extra firm), it is one of the most versatile vegan ingredients. From using it in my Date Sweetened Double Chocolate Tarts, in my Vegan Eggs Benedict or in my Marinated Tofu Tacos, I have learned that tofu can adapt to more situations than one can even begin to imagine.

And that is why, I can proudly say that now, tofu is one of my favorite ingredients!

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Well… On that note, I am really excited to share yet another super quick and easy recipe with you guys! I know how much you love them and I think if you love tofu and are looking for a new way to prep it, you will loooove this one!

If you do end up making this recipe, be sure to share it on social media and tag me (@muriellebanackissa).

Have a wonderful week my friends!

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