This sticky honey garlic tofu is a great way to change up dinner time! Crispy fried tofu is tossed with a sticky honey garlic sauce that is just the right combination of spicy, sweet, and salty. This recipe is easy to make vegan and gluten-free.
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If you're tired of the same old tofu recipes, this one is guaranteed to get you out of a rut.
We're making the easiest crispy tofu (no marinating required) and coating it in a sticky sweet glaze made from honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic. It's a little salty, a little sweet, and a little spicy all at the same time!
This sticky tofu recipe is the perfect match for fluffy rice and roasted broccoli. If you're a meat and potatoes type of person, this satisfies the same way while keeping things lighter and meat free.
Tofu ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Cornstarch
- Coarse kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Coconut oil
- Garlic
Honey garlic sauce ingredients
- Honey
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Rice vinegar
- Water
- Toasted sesame oil
- Sriracha
- Cornstarch
Top tips
How to press tofu
It's important to press the water out of tofu before cooking with it or you'll end up with soggy, squishy tofu. You can press tofu with or without a press.
Check out my post about how to press tofu with a press if you already own one. I also have a post about how to press tofu without a press, which basically involves placing something heavy on top of the tofu while it's wrapped in a towel or paper towel.
Press your tofu for 10-30 minutes depending on how firm you want it to be and how much time you have for cooking.
Use good quality honey
I always prefer to use raw, local honey that I buy at a farmer's market if possible. Different types and sources of honey can have very different flavors, which can really affect the final taste of your dish.
Tossing the tofu with cornstarch
Coating the tofu with cornstarch will help create a crispy crust. I tossed them together right on the cutting board, but you could mix them in a bowl or add them to a zip top plastic bag and shake it until coated.
Tips for customizing sticky honey garlic tofu
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this gluten free
- Swap the honey for maple syrup to make this vegan
- Add more or less sriracha to suit your spice level
- Sprinkle the finished dish with toasted sesame seeds
FAQ
I recommend using extra firm tofu because it will hold its shape well. Make sure you press the tofu before cooking with it, or buy super firm tofu, which doesn't need to be pressed.
More tofu recipes
- Balsamic Tofu
- Crispy Herb Baked Tofu
- Pan Fried Peanut Tofu
- The Best Crispy Tofu
- The Best Tofu Recipe
- Kung Pao Tofu
- BBQ Tofu
- Vegan Ham
- Pesto Tofu
- Cajun Tofu
- Vegetarian Tofu Nuggets
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Thai Tofu Sauce
- Scrambled Tofu
- Air Fryer Tofu
- Tofu Tinga
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Sticky Honey Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
Tofu
- 14 ounces extra firm tofu, pressed
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, toss the tofu with the cornstarch, salt, and pepper until fully coated.
- In a large wok or deep nonstick skillet, heat coconut oil over medium high heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly golden brown on all sides, about 7 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and add the sauce. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is hot and has thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Serve crispy sticky tofu with rice and veggies if desired.
Notes
Tips for customizing sticky honey garlic tofu
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this gluten free
- Swap the honey for maple syrup to make this vegan
- Add more or less sriracha to suit your spice level
- Sprinkle the finished dish with toasted sesame seeds
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