Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu
Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
For the Tofu
- 1 extra firm tofu, block
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup neutral oil, for frying
For the Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup hot water
For Serving and Garnish
- 4 cups cooked rice, for serving
- 2 scallions, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Drain the block of extra firm tofu and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
In a medium bowl, season the tofu cubes with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the cornstarch to the bowl and toss gently until each tofu cube is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Heat the neutral oil in a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to fry in batches.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Fry the tofu for 3-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until crispy and golden brown on all sides. Once cooked, remove the crispy tofu from the pan and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 8 min
- 5
Carefully drain most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the soy sauce, gochujang, honey, brown sugar, and hot water to the pan with the garlic. Whisk all the sauce ingredients together until well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Return the crispy fried tofu to the pan with the thickened sauce. Toss the tofu gently to ensure each piece is fully coated with the spicy honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Serve the coated tofu immediately, hot and fresh, over a bed of cooked rice. Garnish generously with chopped scallions and sesame seeds before enjoying.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
For the Tofu
- 1 extra firm tofu, block
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup neutral oil, for frying
For the Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup hot water
For Serving and Garnish
- 4 cups cooked rice, for serving
- 2 scallions, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Drain the block of extra firm tofu and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
In a medium bowl, season the tofu cubes with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the cornstarch to the bowl and toss gently until each tofu cube is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Heat the neutral oil in a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to fry in batches.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Fry the tofu for 3-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until crispy and golden brown on all sides. Once cooked, remove the crispy tofu from the pan and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 8 min - 5
Carefully drain most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the soy sauce, gochujang, honey, brown sugar, and hot water to the pan with the garlic. Whisk all the sauce ingredients together until well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Return the crispy fried tofu to the pan with the thickened sauce. Toss the tofu gently to ensure each piece is fully coated with the spicy honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Serve the coated tofu immediately, hot and fresh, over a bed of cooked rice. Garnish generously with chopped scallions and sesame seeds before enjoying.
⏱️ 2 min