https://www.farawaykitchen.com

Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps

December 10, 2024Faraway Courtney

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 12-15 lettuce wraps

A Quintessential Vegan Delight

Tofu often gets a bad rap for being intimidating to cook with, but this recipe will completely change the way you see it. These Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps are a game-changer—light, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. The tofu crumbles, crisped to perfection in the air fryer, are the perfect base for the bold, savory sauce that makes this dish unforgettable.

This is exactly why I started Faraway Kitchen—to show that you can still enjoy iconic dishes from around the globe without compromising your values. With recipes like this, the world opens up in delicious, plant-based ways, proving you don’t have to give up your favorite flavors to eat vegan.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with a friend, these wraps are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Vibrant Flavors: The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, with the crunch of water chestnuts adding a delightful texture.
Easy and Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for weeknights or when you’re craving something special but short on time.
Globally Inspired, Veganized: A tribute to Chinese cuisine, these wraps show you can enjoy the iconic flavors of traditional dishes while keeping them plant-based.

Tips for Perfect Lettuce Wraps

Crispy Tofu: Make sure your tofu is pressed well before crumbling for the crispiest results in the air fryer.
Lettuce Choice: Butter lettuce is ideal for its tender leaves, but romaine or iceberg works well if you need a substitute.
Meal Prep Friendly: The tofu filling can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve.

There’s something magical about creating a dish that tastes as good as it looks. These lettuce wraps are more than a meal—they’re proof that vegan cooking can be exciting, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

Make these wraps, share them with someone you love (or keep them all for yourself!), and let me know how they turned out in the comments below. Happy cooking! 🥢

View Print Layout
Print Recipe
Close Print
  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 25 minutes
  • Serves: 12-15 lettuce wraps

These Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps are a game-changer—light, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. The tofu crumbles, crisped to perfection in the air fryer, are the perfect base for the bold, savory sauce that makes this dish unforgettable.

Ingredients

Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps

  • 8 ounces tofu, pressed
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 5 ounces (1 can) water chestnuts, drained
  • 1/2 cup green onion
  • 1 head butter lettuce

Method

Chinese Tofu Lettuce Wraps

  • 1)
    Prepare the Tofu Crumbles: In a bowl, toss the crumbled tofu with Chinese five spice, black pepper, garlic powder, and sesame oil until evenly coated. Spread the tofu on parchment paper and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, tossing occasionally, until golden and crispy.
  • 2)
    Make the Filling: Heat a pan over medium-low heat and combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, garlic, ginger, water chestnuts, and green onion. Add the air-fried tofu crumbles and toss everything together for 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • 3)
    Assemble the Wraps: Spoon the tofu mixture into butter lettuce leaves, creating individual wraps. Garnish with additional green onion if desired.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Recipe Next Recipe