Sweet and savory honey garlic tofu! Serve it over rice with your favorite side of veggies for a delicious meatless dinner that’s packed with plant-based protein and flavor.
Honey Garlic Tofu
If you’re trying to eat more plant-forward and don’t know where to start, you’ll love this recipe! Crispy tofu bites tossed in a simple sweet honey garlic sauce are a perfect meatless meal.
They’re delicious over rice with a side of stir-fried veggies, or served in lettuce cups for a lighter twist.
Tofu is one of my favorite plant-based proteins to work with. It’s versatile, high in protein, and takes on whatever flavor you give it.
If prepared well, it can be the perfect protein to meal prep and serve in a salad, over a grain bowl, or even as a snack. (yes, I’ve totally snacked on leftover tofu before)
How to prepare your tofu
The trick to getting crispy tofu is to drain any excess liquid from its packaging and dry it completely. You can press the tofu for an extra 20-30 minutes to really remove the extra moisture, but I typically just give it a good pat.
Coating the tofu in some form of flour, like tapioca or cornstarch, helps brown the tofu and adds an extra layer of crisp.
To cook the tofu, you can either pan-fry or bake.
Pan-fried tofu
I chose to pan-fry my tofu for this recipe to keep the dishes to a minimum. It takes less time than baking, but a little more work since you have to stand over the pan. You simply pan fry the tofu cubes in a little oil for 25 minutes, rotating them every 5 minutes until all sides are brown.
Baked tofu
Baking the tofu is another option if you wanted to set it in the oven while doing other things. It takes almost double the time, but still yields a crispy result. I like to bake mine at 375 F for about 40 minutes, flipping once mid way!
This recipe is simple to make, so flavorful, and perfect for anyone who’s looking for more vegetarian recipes. I can’t wait for you guys to try it!
What to serve with your honey garlic tofu:
Creamy Coconut Rice
Crispy Roasted Broccoli
Take-out Style Sesame Noodles
Honey Garlic Tofu
4
servings10
minutes25
minutes35
minutesIngredients
1 block of tofu, ideally extra firm or firm
1 tbsp flour, I used tapioca flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp oil
- Honey Garlic Sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
2 tbsp water
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp tapioca flour
Pinch of salt, to taste
Scallions and sesame seeds, to top
Directions
- Drain the tofu, pat it dry and cut it into cubes. Gently toss the cubes in a bowl with the salt, garlic powder, pepper and tapioca flour until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Once hot, add in the oil and let it heat for 30 seconds.
- Add your tofu into the pan and cook on medium heat for about 20-25 minutes, rotating the pieces every 5 minutes. *Alternatively, you can bake the tofu in the oven for 40 minutes on 375 F, flipping halfway through.
- Once the tofu is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside while you prepare your sauce.
- Add the garlic and ginger to the same pan and let it cook in the remaining oil until fragrant for about 1 minute. Next, add in the honey, soy sauce, and salt and mix together.
- Combine the tapioca flour and the water in a small bowl to create a slurry, and add it into the pan, stirring together the sauce until evenly combined.
- Add the tofu back into the pan, and continue to cook until the sauce thickens.
- Top with sesame seeds and scallions and serve with rice and your favorite veggies!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @somethingnutritious on Instagram- I’d love to see your creations!
