Crispy honey garlic tofu Recipe
Crispy honey garlic tofu is a deliciously flavorful and crunchy plant-based dish featuring perfectly fried tofu cubes coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer, and can be made vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 400 grams (14 oz) firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
- vegetable oil for frying (about 1 cup)
- Press the tofu: Drain the firm tofu and press it to remove excess moisture for 15-20 minutes using a tofu press or by placing it between paper towels with a weight on top.
- Cube the tofu: Cut the pressed tofu into uniform bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create a flavorful honey garlic sauce.
- Coat the tofu: Evenly dust each tofu cube with cornstarch, shaking off any excess to help create a crispy crust.
- Fry the tofu: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu cubes for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the fried tofu cubes from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Simmer the sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat, pour in the honey garlic sauce, and let it simmer for about one minute until slightly thickened and aromatic.
- Coat the tofu in sauce: Add the crispy tofu back into the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat each piece evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot as a main dish or appetizer with rice or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu properly is crucial for a crispy texture; if you don’t have a tofu press, use heavy books or plates.
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Adjust the sauce ingredients to taste—add chili flakes for a spicy kick or more garlic for an extra punch.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten free.
- The tofu is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently to preserve crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: crispy tofu, honey garlic tofu, vegan tofu recipe, plant-based dinner, tofu appetizer, easy tofu recipe