How do I get tofu crispy?

Start with firm or extra-firm tofu or another high-protein variety and press it for at least 30 minutes. Cut into 1-inch cubes and coat them thoroughly with cornstarch. Heat oil until shimmering, then add tofu. Adding cold oil will make tofu soggy. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.

Is this tofu gluten-free?

Use certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce in equal amounts. Cornstarch doesn't include gluten.

What replaces honey for a vegan version?

Add an equal amount of maple syrup or agave syrup. This will keep sweet and savory flavors balanced in the sauce.

How long do leftovers keep?

Leftover honey garlic tofu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Honey garlic tofu reheats poorly and becomes mushy. Reheating options include pan- and air-frying to crisp up honey garlic tofu.

What should I serve with it?

Steamed jasmine and brown rice are my first choices for rice dishes because they soak up the sauce. Other choices include noodles. Steamed or roasted broccoli and bok choy are vegetable choices to serve with tofu. Other vegetable choices include bell peppers.

Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu With Ginger Soy Sauce

By Mason BrooksNov 14, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

20 min

Total

35 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

This honey garlic tofu can be prepared in 35 minutes. Extra-firm tofu cubes used in this recipe are breaded and fried in a sweet and savory sauce. I make this tofu dish on weeknights when I don't have time to cook. Like other tofu dishes, I press the tofu before cooking.

Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu With Ginger Soy Sauce

Press tofu for at least 30 minutes. Cut into 1-inch cubes before coating. Wet tofu can lead to splattering when frying hot oil and make it difficult for the tofu to brown. I suggest frying tofu in batches in a large pan if you cannot fit all the tofu cubes in one layer with some space between cubes.

Heat the sauce well before adding the slurry. Heat it for 1-2 minutes, then another minute after adding the slurry until it coats the back of a spoon. Add sesame oil off the heat for flavor. I don't leave it out.

Drizzle sauce over tofu before serving and toss gently to combine. I enjoy this dish over jasmine rice, topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Why you'll love this recipe

Dinner takes 35 minutes to make, including cooking the sauce and fried tofu.
Minimal prep time makes enough for four people with one block of tofu and a few other ingredients.
No special pan is needed. Other equipment needed includes a medium mixing bowl and small saucepan in addition to the large skillet or wok.
Cornstarch is used as a coating to keep the food crunchy until it is served with the sauce at the table.
Serve with rice or noodles and steamed vegetables to complete a meal.
Add another seasoning to the sauce, such as red pepper flakes or a small amount of sriracha.

Instructions

Whisk 3 tablespoons cornstarch, the salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl.

Add the pressed tofu cubes and toss gently until evenly coated.

Combine the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan.

Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.

Whisk in the cornstarch slurry.

Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sesame oil.

Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the coated tofu cubes in a single layer.

Pan-fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and crisp all over.

Transfer the cooked tofu to a paper towel-lined plate.

Return the tofu to the skillet.

Pour the thickened honey garlic sauce over the tofu.

Toss gently until the tofu is coated.

Serve immediately with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if using.

FAQ

You can. Coat the pressed tofu with cornstarch and air-fry for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the air fryer basket halfway through. Toss with sauce after air-frying.

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Dinner Vegetarian Asian Quick Meals Stovetop

Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu With Ginger Soy Sauce

Name: Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu With Ginger Soy Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 block extra-firm tofu (16-ounce, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes); 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating the tofu); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 3 tablespoons neutral oil (such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil); 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water for slurry); 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry); sesame seeds (optional garnish); green onions (sliced, optional garnish)

By Mason BrooksNov 14, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

20 min

Total

35 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Drizzle sauce over tofu before serving and toss gently to combine. I enjoy this dish over jasmine rice, topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Why you'll love this recipe

Dinner takes 35 minutes to make, including cooking the sauce and fried tofu.
Minimal prep time makes enough for four people with one block of tofu and a few other ingredients.
No special pan is needed. Other equipment needed includes a medium mixing bowl and small saucepan in addition to the large skillet or wok.
Cornstarch is used as a coating to keep the food crunchy until it is served with the sauce at the table.
Serve with rice or noodles and steamed vegetables to complete a meal.
Add another seasoning to the sauce, such as red pepper flakes or a small amount of sriracha.

Ingredients

Servings4

•1 block extra-firm tofu (16-ounce, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes)
•3 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating the tofu)
•½ teaspoon salt
•¼ teaspoon black pepper
•3 tablespoons neutral oil (such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil)
•⅓ cup honey
•¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
•4 cloves garlic (minced)
•1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
•1 tablespoon rice vinegar
•1 teaspoon sesame oil
•1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water for slurry)
•2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
•sesame seeds (optional garnish)
•green onions (sliced, optional garnish)

Instructions

1
Whisk 3 tablespoons cornstarch, the salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
2
Add the pressed tofu cubes and toss gently until evenly coated.
3
Combine the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan.
4
Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.
5
Whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
6
Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
7
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
8
Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
9
Add the coated tofu cubes in a single layer.
10
Pan-fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and crisp all over.
11
Transfer the cooked tofu to a paper towel-lined plate.
12
Return the tofu to the skillet.
13
Pour the thickened honey garlic sauce over the tofu.
14
Toss gently until the tofu is coated.
15
Serve immediately with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if using.

FAQ

You can. Coat the pressed tofu with cornstarch and air-fry for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the air fryer basket halfway through. Toss with sauce after air-frying.