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- 14 oz firm tofu - 1/2 cup cornstarch - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 3 tablespoons honey or agave syrup - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) - Sliced green onions - Sesame seeds The main ingredients for this crispy honey garlic tofu start with tofu. I use 14 oz of firm tofu. Properly pressing it helps remove water. Then, I coat it in 1/2 cup of cornstarch. This creates the crispy outer layer. I also add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for frying. Next, we have the sauce ingredients. For sweetness, I use 3 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup. Both create a nice glaze. The garlic adds flavor, so I mince 4 cloves. I also mix in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for umami. A tablespoon of rice vinegar adds a slight tang. A teaspoon of sesame oil enhances the aroma. If you like heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Finally, I garnish the dish to make it look nice. Sliced green onions add color and crunch. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nutty flavor. Together, these ingredients make a tasty treat! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by cutting the tofu into bite-sized cubes. I like to press the tofu first. This helps remove excess water. Pat the cubes dry with a paper towel. This step is key for crispiness. Next, coat the tofu. Place the cubes in a large bowl. Add cornstarch and toss until each piece is covered. This coating makes the tofu crispy when fried. Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the tofu in a single layer. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side. You want them golden brown and crispy. After frying, remove the tofu and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any extra oil. Now, let’s make the sauce. Lower the heat to medium in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Be careful to not let it burn; we want it fragrant. Next, mix in honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. If you like some heat, add crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer for 1-2 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly during this time. Now it's time to combine! Gently add the crispy tofu back into the skillet. Toss the tofu in the sauce to coat each piece evenly. Cook for another minute to warm the tofu through. Plate your honey garlic tofu and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. This adds a nice touch to your dish! To make your tofu super crispy, pressing it is key. Pressing removes extra water, helping the tofu fry well. Use a tofu press or wrap it in a towel and place a heavy pan on top. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. When frying, use a non-stick skillet. Heat the vegetable oil until hot, but not smoking. This helps the tofu get golden brown. Fry the tofu in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan; this can cause steaming instead of frying. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy. You can boost the flavor by adding vegetables. Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas work great. Just stir-fry them with the tofu before adding the sauce. Want a kick? Adjust the spice level by adding red pepper flakes. Start small, then add more if you like it spicy. This simple step makes the dish more exciting. For a great meal, serve the crispy honey garlic tofu with steamed rice or noodles. These sides soak up the sauce well. Serve the dish hot for the best taste. If you let it cool too much, it may lose its crispiness. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a pretty finish. Enjoy your tasty treat! Pro Tips Press Tofu Properly: Make sure to press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness. Even Coating: When coating the tofu with cornstarch, ensure that each piece is evenly coated. Shake off any excess to prevent clumping during frying. Heat Control: Keep an eye on the oil temperature while frying. If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks. A medium-high heat is ideal. Customize the Sauce: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spice level by modifying the amount of honey and red pepper flakes in the sauce to suit your taste. {{image_2}} You can make this dish vegan with a few easy swaps. Instead of honey, use agave syrup. This keeps the sweetness while making it plant-based. For soy sauce, try tamari. Tamari is gluten-free and adds a rich flavor. Crispy honey garlic tofu is versatile. You can serve it with rice or noodles for a full meal. This adds substance and makes it filling. It also works well in salads or wraps. Tossing it in fresh greens gives a nice crunch. For extra flavor, add ginger or scallions. Both will brighten the dish and add depth. You can also try different sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar. Each sweetener brings a unique taste to the tofu. To store leftover crispy tofu, let it cool completely. Place the tofu in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and safe. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. To keep it crispy longer, avoid adding sauce to the leftovers. The sauce can make it soggy. To reheat without losing crispiness, use an oven or an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the tofu on a baking sheet. Heat it for about 10-15 minutes, or until crispy again. If using an air fryer, set it to 350°F (175°C) and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This will help restore that nice crunch. Yes, you can freeze crispy honey garlic tofu. However, the texture may change. For freezing, place the tofu in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze it for a few hours until firm. Then transfer the tofu to a freezer bag. Seal it tightly and store it for up to three months. To thaw, place the bag in the fridge overnight. When ready to eat, reheat using the oven or air fryer for the best results. Tofu is a great source of protein. It has low calories and no cholesterol. It also offers iron, calcium, and magnesium. Eating tofu can support heart health and bone strength. Many people enjoy it for its versatility and health benefits. Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free. Just swap out soy sauce for tamari. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce that works well in this dish. Always check labels to ensure they are gluten-free. You can make crispy tofu in the oven or air fryer. Coat the tofu in cornstarch as usual. Then place the tofu on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes. Flip halfway through for even crispiness. An air fryer works similarly but may cook faster. Absolutely! You can use agave syrup instead of honey. Maple syrup is another great choice. Each sweetener will give a unique flavor, but they all work well in the sauce. Just adjust the amount to taste. In this blog post, we explored how to make crispy honey garlic tofu. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to boost flavor and texture. You learned about variations and how to store any leftovers properly. This dish is not only delicious but also versatile. Try it in different ways to suit your taste. Enjoy making and sharing this tasty tofu meal with friends or family.

Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu

A deliciously crispy tofu dish coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
  • In a large bowl, toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch until fully coated.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes in a single layer. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  • In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • Gently add the crispy tofu back into the skillet. Toss to coat the tofu evenly in the honey garlic sauce, and cook for another minute to heat the tofu through.
  • Plate the honey garlic tofu and garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a final touch.

Notes

For extra heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
Keyword honey garlic, tofu, vegetarian