In the spirit of spring, we wanted to create some light and simple yet satisfying entrées, and the first idea to come to mind was tofu lettuce wraps!
We’ve tried preparing tofu just about every which way, but have settled on this new-and-improved crispy method as our favorite. Think next-level crispy tofu with tons of flavor that pairs incredibly well with fresh lettuce cups and spring veggies. The best part? Our go-to, 5-ingredient, super flavorful peanut sauce, which marries everything together perfectly. Let us show you how it’s done!
Origins of Lettuce Wraps
It’s believed that lettuce wraps originated in Southeast Asia thousands of years ago. They’ve been popular in Thailand and Southwest Asia as well. And more recently, their popularity has spread throughout the world (P.F. Chang’s, anyone?)!
Our version draws influence from Thai and Indonesian cuisine with the inclusion of peanut sauce and fresh herbs. You can learn more about the origin of peanut sauce here.
Best Lettuce For Wraps
Our preferred varieties for lettuce wraps are Bibb or Boston lettuce or green cabbage. They’re sturdy, non-bitter, and can hold a lot of goodness in each leaf.
Tofu Lettuce Wraps
These 10-ingredient wraps are made with four main components: lettuce leaves, crispy tofu, fresh vegetables and herbs, and a flavorful peanut sauce.
To make the tofu, we press it to remove moisture, marinate it to infuse with flavor, and coat in cornstarch for a crispy exterior. Tamari adds a savory/umami element, chili garlic sauce adds heat, toasted sesame oil gives it sesame flavor, and maple syrup provides a hint of sweetness.
For the fresh vegetables, we like using carrots, radish, and bean sprouts for crunchiness. Green onion, fresh cilantro, and basil add extra flavor dimensions and a feeling that spring is here!
Lastly, top with peanut sauce and prepare for a flavor explosion in your mouth.
We hope you LOVE these tofu lettuce wraps! They’re:
Saucy
Crispy
Fresh
Peanutty
Satisfying
& SO delicious!
Serve as an appetizer or entrée when you’re craving something lighter. Or for a Thai-inspired feast, try with our Perfect Coconut Rice, Easy Tofu Pad Thai, 1-Pot Yellow Chickpea Cauliflower Curry, Thai Yellow Coconut Curry with Mango, Vegan Papaya Salad, Pad Thai Spring Rolls, or Vegan Thai Iced Tea.
More Lettuce Wrap Recipes
- Mexican Quinoa Salad Cups with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Rainbow “Raw-maine” Taco Boats
- Spicy Korean-Style Cauliflower Wings
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
TOFU
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, pressed (see instructions for pressing)
- 3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free eaters)
- 2 tsp chili garlic sauce (reduce or omit for less heat)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (plus more for cooking)
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 5-6 Tbsp cornstarch
PEANUT SAUCE
- 1/2 cup salted creamy peanut butter* (or almond butter or sunflower butter)
- 1-2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (or sub coconut aminos* but add slightly more as it’s less salty)
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (plus more to taste)
- 1-2 tsp chili garlic sauce (or 1 red Thai chili, minced // or 1/4 tsp red pepper flake // adjust to preferred spice level)
- 2-3 Tbsp lime juice
- 3-4 Tbsp water (to thin)
FOR SERVING
- 1 cup thinly sliced / shredded vegetables (e.g. carrots, radish, green onion, and/or bean sprouts)
- 1 small head green (non-bitter) lettuce or green or purple cabbage (as recipe is written, ~10 cup-size leaves of lettuce or cabbage // we prefer green cabbage or Bibb or Boston lettuce)
- Fresh cilantro or Thai basil (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by pressing tofu: Either wrap in a clean towel and set something heavy on top or use a tofu press. Press for a total of ~30 minutes.
- PEANUT SAUCE: In the meantime, prepare peanut sauce by adding all ingredients except water to a small mixing bowl (starting with the lesser quantity of each ingredient). Whisk to combine then add a little water at a time and whisk until creamy, smooth, and pourable. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more tamari or coconut aminos for saltiness, maple syrup for sweetness, chili garlic for heat, or lime for acidity. Set aside for serving.
- TOFU: Once pressed, slice tofu into ~3/4-inch cubes and add to a large mixing bowl or Tupperware with a lid. Add the tamari, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup (reserve the cornstarch for later). Seal with the lid and toss gently to combine. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- At this time, heat your oven to 400 degrees F (204 C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- After 15 minutes, add cornstarch (starting with the lesser quantity and working your way up), and cover again and toss gently to coat. You’ll know you’ve added enough cornstarch when the tofu no longer appears wet and the cornstarch is evenly coating each piece.
- Heat a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add a bit more sesame oil. Then add only as much tofu as will fit comfortably in the pan (be careful not to crowd). Cook until golden brown on all sides — ~2-3 minutes per side — flipping with a fork or small spatula. Then transfer to your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes (at 400 F / 204 C), or until crispy and firm. We find this step really elevates the tofu’s texture and gives the coating more crispiness.
- VEGGIES: In the meantime, prepare veggies and herbs (optional) for serving. We recommend finely shredded carrots, thinly sliced radish and green onion, and fresh cilantro and/or Thai basil. Set aside.
- Lastly, prepare lettuce or cabbage by washing and drying and gently separating ~10 cup-size lettuce or cabbage leaves. They should be slightly larger than the palm of your hand (big enough to accommodate ~5 cubes of tofu and veggie toppings).
- TO SERVE: Arrange cups/leaves on a platter and top each with ~5 cubes tofu (as original recipe is written, you should have ~10 lettuce cups). Top with veggies and herbs of choice and serve with peanut sauce on the side.
- Best when fresh. Ingredients keep separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (peanut sauce = 1 week; tofu = 3-4 days, veggies = 1 week, herbs = 1-2 days). Reheat tofu on the stovetop over medium heat or in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven until hot.
Video
Notes
*If subbing coconut aminos, know that they aren’t as pungent or salty in flavor as tamari and soy sauce. So you may need to add a bit more than the recommended amount. Season to taste.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount where ranges are provided, with 1/4 each carrots, radish, green onion, and bean sprouts, and without optional ingredients.
*Recipe as written makes ~50 pieces of tofu, which yields ~10 lettuce wraps.
Renee says
How would I cook the tofu in the air fryer?
Hi Renee, after frying in the skillet first, you could probably finish in the air fryer at 375 F for 8-10 minutes. Let us know if you try it!
Maddie says
Absolutely delicious!
Yay! Thank you for the lovely review, Maddie! xo
Karen says
Loved this! I find my cornstarch clumps when I just pour it over my tofu, so I use a sifter to evenly spread it out.
Pan frying, then baking is just the trick I need to make this crispy inside and out!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Karen. We are so glad you enjoyed them! Next time, would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Karen says
For sure, sorry for the newbie commenting. Could I also make a request to remove my last name? Apologies again, I didn’t realize it would post that part. Tried to find a way to e-mail / message you, but saw you weren’t taking them (for good reason).
Thanks!
No problem! It’s removed :) Thank you for adding the stars! xo
Cait says
Yumm! Doubled this recipe for a group and it was a hit. Took a little while to fry all the tofu, but the fry then bake method really did up the crunch factor which was so yummy in the end. Highly recommend!
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed, Cait. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Alex says
This was delicious, I used sweet potato instead of tofu for a soy free dish! Yum :)
Sounds delish! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Alex!
Katherine says
Came out amazing!! The only change I made ( inadvertently) was instead of cubing the tofu, it was almost mashed up… but regardless, made the dinner rotation 🤗 just phenomenal
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Katherine! Thank you for sharing! xo
DJ says
I’ve made this many times, sometimes using lettuce, other times using rice paper as a spring roll. The peanut sauce is so delicious!
Ooo, great idea! We’re so glad you enjoyed, DJ! xo
LaBreah says
I absolutely love this recipe! It’s such an easy, delicious meal. Tonight I grilled the tofu (100 degrees means I’m not using the stove) and it was delicious. I cut the tofu into planks, marinated them for a few hours (left out the cornstarch), grilled them, and cut them into bite sized pieces. A great alternative if you don’t feel like turning the stove/oven on!
We’re so glad to hear it, LaBreah! Thank you so much for sharing! xo
Rachael says
Forgot to add on my previous post- I used gluten free gochujang sauce instead of the chili sauce (both for the marinade and peanut sauce) and it was delicious. Tiny bit of heat (I’m a wuss!) but packed with flavor
Rachael says
I made this for a dinner party (served deconstructed to “build your own”) and it was a total hit! Everyone that ate it loved it, and none of them were vegan.
Some modifications that turned out great- I followed all of the recipe as written, but added shiitake mushrooms (I did the same treatment to the mushrooms that the tofu got in regards to the marinade, frying, and oven baking). It was a welcomed addition! For veggies I did thinly sliced carrots, cucumbers, radishes, green onion, cilantro, and Thai basil…. The combo of them all was fantastic. The peanut sauce was heaven and tied the dish together perfectly.
Love this recipe!!! I think it may be my favorite one yet… which is saying a lot because this website has never steered me wrong.
Soo amazing! Thanks for such a lovely review and sharing your modifications, Rachael. We love to hear that it was enjoyed by all! xo
Gabi M says
This is the most delicious dish and most popular in my household. My husband, who’s a carnivore cannot get enough of this so we cook it at least once a week.
Thank you for this platform. I love cooking your recipes. They are all delicious.
We love to hear this! Thanks for the lovely review, Gabi. We’re so happy you both enjoy the wraps! xo
Sara Moore says
My track record at making anything crispy is not impressive. In fact, I usually avoid recipes that include “crispy”, “coated”, “batter”, or “cornstarch”. We all have our limitations, right?
Miraculously, these turned out great. Better than great. I took pictures and sent them to my Mom. That kind of great.
I beefed up all the peanut sauce ingredients. That’s the best part of sauces (I think) – You can make them your own. And right now, my taste buds want flavors like a 1980’s neon Lite Brite.
Woohoo! We’re so glad this one turned out well. Thank you for sharing, Sara! xo
Iralyn says
Delicious and easy! Made exactly to recipe except omitted the chili garlic sauce (we have a preschooler) and did some garlic powder instead. We ate them as wraps with all the toppings and did them “deconstructed” for our daughter so she could choose what to eat. Love meals like this, where we can easily adapt for her and still add sauces, spices, toppings, etc. for the adults. We made this into a full meal by serving with leftover takeout fried rice and egg rolls. Will definitely make again!
Amazing! Love that, Iralyn. Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Hillary says
Another delicious recipe! I copied the tofu and the peanut sauce to a T and it was perfection. We needed to use some zucchini, asparagus, and broccoli so we sautéed it all up and covered it in the peanut sauce with some fresh peppers on top. My boyfriend said it tasted and looked like “restaurant tofu” so I think it is a winner!
Woohoo! We love to hear this. Thanks for the lovely review, Hillary! xo
Caroline says
Yum! Light, crunchy, flavorful and filling. It fed my family of four (2 toddlers) and came together quickly. Chopped extra veggies during prep and we have dressing and veggies for leftover salads. Next time, I’ll double the tofu or spread the sauce on grilled chicken. Thanks, Dana!
Woohoo! So glad everyone enjoyed this recipe, Caroline! Thanks for the lovely review! xo
Bethany B says
Wow just made this for dinner and it was SO GOOD. The tofu was some of the best I have ever had and got so crispy. The peanut sauce was perfect and all the fresh veggies balanced it out wonderfully. Definitely will make it again!
Woohoo! Thanks for the lovely review, Bethany. We’re so glad you enjoyed! xo
Rachel says
Delicious! I always futz with recipes but we made this one exactly according to the instructions and it didn’t need a single change. So flavorful and perfect combination of textures!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Rachel! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Shirley says
Can corn starch be substituted with potato starch?
We haven’t tried it, but another reader mentioned that technique. Let us know if you try it!
Sarah says
Yum! This was delicious. I only ended up needing 4 tablespoons of cornstarch and I think I may even reduce it a tablespoon next time. It was so flavorful and I love that peanut sauce. Finally, a recipe that actually gets the tofu crispy!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sarah =) Thanks for sharing your experience! xo
Christa says
This is delicious! My whole family loved it and wanted me to make it again soon. It takes a bit more time to both fry the tofu and then bake it but it did give the tofu a nice crunch. I used my absolute favorite chili crunch from Momofuku for the garlic chili paste. This recipe can compete with any restaurant. It is that good! I am going to make it when I host book club later this month. It is great in that people can just add the components that they like and get a custom meal.
Thank you, Dana, for all of your marvelous recipes. You are my most turned to source for meal ideas. I would not have made it through the pandemic without you!!
So so kind! Thanks for sharing, Christa!
Nicole says
Loved these!
Yay! Thanks, Nicole! xo
Camille says
I haven’t cooked anything yet from this website but I love the dishes and the way they look! So luscious, I’ll try and emulate your gaddo gaddo sauce with the sides being amongst them boiled eggs. Fingers crossed CAMILLE
Hope you love it, Camille!
Ray says
Just made this and it looks amazing! Pretty followed the recipe exact so nothing but good things to say! Love how simple your recipes are!
Aw, thanks Ray! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! xo
Cath says
I haven’t tried this recipe yet Dana…it’s getting chilly in Australia, but will defs try in our Springtime. Just wondering though…have you tried potato starch? Thanks to Hetty McKinnon, it’s my new fave coating to crisp…so far have used it on tofu & eggplant, and it is life changing!
Oh wow! I haven’t but we definitely will now! Thanks for sharing.
Cindy says
Very easy to make, just need to plan ahead a bit. My husband doesn’t like things too spicy and this was just right, you can adjust it to your liking. He said that I could repeat this recipe 😊. I tried it with cilantro on some and regular basil on others. Both were good, but the basil really added to the flavor. I did add peanuts on the top for more crunch.
We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Cindy! Thanks for sharing! xo