This crispy honey garlic tofu recipe that will amaze you! comes together in about 30 minutes and involves simple frying for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!
Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s talk ingredients! This dish is all about balancing sweet and savory flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Firm tofu: 400 grams (14 oz) This is the key ingredient that adds protein and texture!
- Honey: 4 tablespoons (or maple syrup for a vegan option) Sweetness central!
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced You can never have too much garlic, right?
- Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons Adds that savory umami kick we all love.
- Cornstarch: 1/2 cup This is what gives your tofu that crunchy exterior.
- Sesame oil: 2 tablespoons A lovely nutty flavor that just elevates the dish.
- Green onions: 2, chopped For garnish, and a lovely fresh taste.
- Sesame seeds: 2 tablespoons Optional, but they give a nice crunch!
- Vegetable oil: for frying (about 1 cup) You want enough to coat the tofu well.
Pro Tip:
Feel free to swap out honey for maple syrup to keep things plant-based. And if you happen to have some leftover veggies, toss them into the stir-fry for an extra nutritional punch!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s Get Cooking!
Alright, let’s dive into this! Get your apron on because you’re about to create something amazing.
Press the tofu: First, drain the firm tofu carefully to remove excess moisture. Wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and press it gently for about 15-20 minutes. This step is super important to ensure your tofu gets crispy later on.
Cut the tofu: Once it’s pressed, cut the tofu into uniform bite-sized cubes. This way, they’ll all cook evenly, and who doesn’t love a good crispy bite?
Make the honey garlic sauce: In a small bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons of honey, minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Whisk it well until it’s nicely combined, and set it aside. You’ll be adding this later, so don’t be shy, give it a taste. Yum!
Coat the tofu: Now, grab that cornstarch! Put it in a shallow dish and coat each tofu cube evenly. Make sure each piece is coated and looks kind of like it’s wearing a fluffy cloud. This is what makes them so crispy, trust me on this.
Fry the tofu: Heat about 1 cup of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot enough (test by dropping a tiny bit of cornstarch into the oil, it should sizzle!), gently add the tofu cubes. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and crispy. This step is super satisfying to watch, I promise!
Drain the tofu: Once crispy, remove the fried tofu from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. You want them crispy, not oily!
Simmer the sauce: Now, return the skillet to medium heat. Pour in your honey garlic sauce and bring it to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally until it’s fragrant. It’s going to smell divine in your kitchen right now!
Combine tofu and sauce: Gently add the crispy tofu back to the skillet and toss carefully to coat them evenly with the sauce. Let it all mingle for a minute, and just watch as those crispy pieces get all saucy.
Garnish: Toss in your chopped green onions and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. Feel free to go wild with toppings!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknight dinners. Who has time for complicated recipes when there’s homework to help with and laundry to fold? Not me!
Family Favorite
The whole family will love this! Kids are usually a bit picky, but I can guarantee they’ll be asking for seconds after tasting the crispy bites coated in sweet sauce. Plus, it’s a nice way to introduce them to plant-based protein.
Customizable
This recipe is ridiculously adaptable! You can swap in different sauces, add extra veggies, or replace honey with maple syrup. Got some bell peppers or broccoli that’s been sitting in the fridge? Toss them in! The best part is that you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, which is a lifesaver trust me.
Comfort Food
You’re going to love the comforting flavors in this dish. It’s loaded with tons of flavor, offering that amazing combination of sweet and savory that just wraps around you like a warm hug.
Personal Connection
This is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting and satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. I’m a real sucker for anything that blends sweetness with a hint of umami. The best part is that it always impresses everyone, and I love watching my kids dive into their plates, asking aloud if they can have this every week. Honestly? There’s something just so satisfying about crispy tofu, especially when it’s drenched in that lovely honey garlic sauce, you’re going to want to eat the whole pan by yourself!
If you loved this crispy honey garlic tofu recipe, be sure to check out my Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Tenderloin, my Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork, or my Easy Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce! Each of these recipes is another family favorite in our home, and you’ll love them too!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu
Serve this incredible dish over a bowl of fluffy rice or quinoa, white or brown works perfectly! You can also pair it with steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad. It’s so versatile that you can mix and match with your favorite sides!
Storage
Store any leftover tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep in mind that the longer it sits, the less crispy it’ll be, but it’s still super delicious!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, I recommend popping it back in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, this will help bring back some of that crispiness. You can also microwave it but don’t expect it to crisp back up. Tofu tends to be forgiving though, so it’ll still taste terrific!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the cooked tofu if you’d like. Once cooled, just toss it in an airtight container and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat as instructed above.
Why This Recipe Works
Budget-Friendly
Using simple and affordable ingredients, this dish shines without breaking the bank. Tofu is one of the most inexpensive proteins around, and the rest of the ingredients you likely have already in your pantry.
Perfect for Meal Prep
The recipe is perfect for meal prep! Make a big batch on Sunday to ensure you have quick and easy lunches or dinners all week long. A couple of servings of this crispy goodness, a side of veggies, and you’re set!
Loaded with Nutrients
Tofu not only brings tons of flavor to the table but it’s also packed with plant-based protein. You’re getting all the benefits without missing out on taste. How great is that?
This crispy honey garlic tofu recipe is my ultimate go-to that I love making whenever I want something quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! You’ll find yourself making it over and over again, and honestly? It’s worth every bit of the effort. Enjoy cooking, friends! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A quick and easy recipe for crispy honey garlic tofu that combines sweet and savory flavors, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 400 grams Firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons Honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
- 2 Green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 cup Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Press the tofu to remove excess moisture for about 15-20 minutes.
- Cut the tofu into uniform bite-sized cubes.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil together for the sauce.
- Coat each tofu cube evenly in cornstarch.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and fry the tofu cubes for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain fried tofu on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Return skillet to medium heat, pour in the honey garlic sauce, and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Gently add the crispy tofu back to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Feel free to swap honey for maple syrup to keep it plant-based. Add any leftover veggies to the stir-fry for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
