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    Home » Dinner

    Published: Sep 19, 2022 · Modified: Nov 17, 2022 by Kayla · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Honey Garlic Tofu

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This recipe for Honey Garlic Tofu is layered with flavor. It's battered with seasoned corn starch and pan fried with olive oil to give it the perfect crispy texture. It's finished off with a delicious honey garlic sauce that is so quick and easy to make. You can have this healthy and delicious meal ready in less than 30 minutes!

    Honey garlic tofu in a white bowl with chopsticks.

    I love a good plant based and nutritious meal like this one here. If you're looking for other vegetarian dinner recipes that are high in protein try my Sticky Sesame Chickpeas or my Vegan Eggplant Parmigiana!

    Jump to:
    • 🔪Instructions
    • 🍋Substitutions
    • 🧊Storing
    • ✅Pro Tips
    • 🔥Other Cooking Methods
    • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    Ingredients to make honey garlic tofu.

    🔪Instructions

    1. Heat a nonstick skillet with the oil over medium heat.
    2. Then, mix together the corn starch mixture and set aside.
    3. Drain the package of super firm tofu and gently press the sides with paper towels to remove some of the excess water.
    Tofu being pressed with paper towels.

    4. Next, stand the tofu on its side and slice through it widthwise.

    5. Lay the tofu back down and slice in horizontal strips.

    6. Slice the tofu in vertical strips.

    7. You should now have small bite-sized cubes of tofu.

    How to chop tofu step by step.

    8. Put the tofu in a medium sized bowl and carefully mix it together evenly with the corn starch.

    Tofu in a bowl with seasoned corn starch.

    9. Fry the pieces of tofu on all sides until golden and crispy. This takes about a total of 7-8 minutes, since we are only shallow frying. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. It takes me a couple of batches to fry it all.

    Tofu being shallow fried in a cast iron skillet.

    10. Once the tofu is golden and crispy, flip it and let it crisp on all the sides.

    Tofu being shallow fried in a cast iron skillet.

    11. Set them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up some of the extra oil.

    12. In another skillet, begin preparing the honey garlic sauce. Mix all of the ingredients in the skillet, except for the vegetable broth and corn starch. Whisk the broth and corn starch together and then add to the rest of the sauce. Mix it all together and put it in a skillet over medium heat.

    Honey garlic sauce before thickened.

    13. Then, let it come to a very light boil, whisking the whole time. It will immediately thicken when it reaches a boil.

    Honey garlic sauce in a skillet.

    14. Once it's thick, remove from the heat and toss in the tofu. Coat well with the sauce.

    Honey garlic tofu in a skillet.

    Lastly, serve over a bed of rice with steamed broccoli or green beans.

    Enjoy!

    🍋Substitutions

    Super firm tofu- Extra firm tofu works well with this recipe too. You will just need to press it more with paper towels or a tofu press to drain more of the water out of it. Keep in mind that extra firm tofu can crumble easier, but this isn't a problem. You can use crumbled pieces of tofu if needed.

    Corn starch, tapioca starch or all purpose flour can be used to coat the tofu.

    Soy sauce- If you need a gluten free option, try using Tamari.

    Honey- Use 100% pure maple syrup instead for a vegan option.

    Apple cider vinegar- You can also use rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.

    Olive oil- I use extra virgin olive oil because it's a healthy option. If you prefer to fry with a vegetable oil, that will work fine too.

    🧊Storing

    Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

    The tofu will soften once refrigerated and some of the sauce will be absorbed. For the best texture, reheat the tofu in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes.

    ✅Pro Tips

    • If the texture of tofu bothers you, try chopping it into smaller pieces before frying it and let it get extra crispy.
    • If you aren't using super firm tofu, be careful when mixing the corn starch with the tofu because it can break the it into even smaller pieces.

    🔥Other Cooking Methods

    Air Fryer method- If you want to air fry the tofu, make sure you spray the coated tofu really well with an olive oil spray. Do not overcrowd the air fryer. It may take a couple of batches to fry all of it. You'll want to cook it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

    Oven baked method- This method leaves the tofu the least crispiest, but it definitely will work. Line a pan with foil and spray it with olive oil spray. Coat the tofu in the corn starch and spray well to coat the tofu. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes.

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    Whats the best type of tofu for this recipe?

    Super firm tofu works best. Less water content can help the tofu crisp better on the outside, plus it has a much better texture.

    Do you have to press tofu?

    No. I do not use a tofu press. I buy super firm tofu and drain the liquid. Then I pat the tofu with paper towels and gently press it on each side. If you use extra firm tofu, you can just press the tofu with paper towels and sit a heavy bottom skillet on it to drain more of the water out.

    What is tofu made out of?

    Tofu is made out of soybeans that have been soaked for a period of time. The soaked beans are ground up and then strained in a cheesecloth. The liquid that's left is soy milk, which is heated and then mixed with a coagulant such as water and vinegar. The coagulant leaves curds behind. These curds are strained really well and pressed. The final product is finished tofu.

    What to serve with Honey Garlic Tofu?

    You can serve honey garlic tofu with broccoli, rice and other steamed greens such as green beans.

    Is this recipe vegan and gluten free?

    This recipe is not vegan since it uses honey. The honey can be swapped out with pure maple syrup for a vegan option. It is also not gluten free, but you can easily swap out the soy sauce for a certified gluten-free Tamari.

    Honey garlic tofu in a white bowl with chopsticks.

    Before you go! If you enjoyed this recipe for Honey Garlic Tofu, share your thoughts with me down below by leaving a review. I love to hear from you. Also, if you aren't following me on social media, search @thedairyfreemenu for more food inspiration!

    📖 Recipe

    Honey garlic tofu in a white bowl with chopsticks.

    Honey Garlic Tofu

    Kayla
    This recipe for Honey Garlic Tofu is packed with flavor. It's battered with seasoned corn starch and pan fried with olive oil to give it the perfect crispy texture. It's finished off with a delicious honey garlic sauce that is so quick and easy to make. You can have it ready in less than 30 minutes!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4
    Calories 148 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 14 ounces Super Firm Tofu

    Tofu Coating

    • ½ cup corn starch
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
    • pinch cayenne pepper optional
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil for frying

    Honey Garlic Sauce

    • 4 garlic cloves grated
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ½ cup vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

    Toppings

    • green onions
    • crushed red pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a nonstick skillet with the oil over medium heat.
    • Mix together the corn starch mixture and set aside.
    • Drain the package of super firm tofu and gently press the sides with paper towels to remove some of the excess water.
    • Slice the tofu into small cubes and coat them well with the corn starch mixture.
    • Fry the pieces of tofu on all sides until golden and crispy. This takes about a total of 7-8 minutes, since we are only shallow frying. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. It takes me a couple of batches to fry it all.
    • Once the tofu is golden and crispy on all sides, set them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up some of the extra oil.
    • In another skillet, begin preparing the honey garlic sauce. Mix all of the ingredients in the skillet, except for the vegetable broth and corn starch. Whisk the broth and corn starch together and then add to the rest of the sauce. Mix it all together and put it in a skillet over medium heat.
    • Let it come to a very light boil, whisking the whole time. It will immediately thicken once it reaches a boil. When it's thick, remove from the heat and toss in the tofu. Coat well with the sauce.
    • Serve over a bed of rice with steamed broccoli or green beans.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 546mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 0.3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.5mg
    Keyword honey garlic tofu
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Note: The nutrition label is only an estimate. Amounts may vary.

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    Kayla Daniels.

    HEY THERE! I'M KAYLA.

    I make delicious food that just so happens to be dairy free. It's my goal to help make you excited about what you can eat! So here's a menu of options. Enjoy!

    More about me →

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