This easy pan-fried honey sesame tofu dish is sweet, sour, spicy and comes together in just 20 minutes.
Honey sesame sauce ingredients and notes:
- Use toasted sesame oil to give this dish a strong, nutty sesame flavor. (You can tell whether sesame oil is toasted or not by its color. Toasted sesame oil has a deep amber color while untoasted sesame oil is almost colorless.)
- If fresh ginger is not available, you can substitute ½ teaspoon dried ground ginger.
- The amount of crushed red pepper flakes determines the level of spiciness of this sesame tofu. The amount listed in the recipe yields a moderately spicy dish. Use fewer pepper flakes (or leave them out entirely) if you want the dish to be mild. Use more pepper flakes if you want it to be very spicy.
How to make it:
See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!
- Drain the tofu, then cut into cubes and pat dry with paper towels. Roll the cubes in flour.
- Fry the tofu cubes in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Set the fried tofu cubes on paper towels to dry.
- Whisk together all sauce ingredients.
- Cook the sauce.
Recipe note:
There is no need to press the block of tofu to squeeze out moisture for this recipe. That's because rather than frying the tofu cubes directly, you roll them in all-purpose flour first. The flour gives the tofu a beautiful, delicious, golden and crispy shell after frying.
How to serve it:
Serve the tofu with white or brown rice and drizzle the sauce over it. Sprinkle chopped scallions on top for a nice freshness.
More delicious honey sesame dishes:
- Cold Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Shrimp1 Hours
- Chicken Hokkien Noodle Stir Fry55 Minutes
- Sriracha Sesame Sauce5 Minutes
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Thank you!
Full Printable Recipe
Honey Sesame Tofu
This honey sesame tofu tastes delicious and is quick and easy to make. The tofu is pan fried and served with a sweet, sour and spicy sauce.
Rate this Recipe
Print
Equipment:
- measuring cups and spoons
- ginger grater
- garlic press (optional)
- knife and cutting board
- plate
- paper towels
- cast iron or non-stick pan
- kitchen tongs
- liquid measuring cup
- whisk
Ingredients:
For the tofu:
- ½ pound extra-firm tofu
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- about 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or mild olive oil for frying
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger root*
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil**
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more if you like it spicier***
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
To serve:
- 4 scallions (green onions), chopped
Instructions:
For the tofu:
- Drain the block of tofu, then cut into ¾-inch cubes. Dry the cubes with a paper towel. Roll the tofu cubes in the flour, making sure to coat them on all sides.
- Heat the oil in a cast iron or non-stick pan until shimmering. Fry the tofu cubes in a single layer until golden brown on all sides (a few minutes on each side). Set aside on a plate lined with a paper towel.
For the sauce:
- Add all sauce ingredients to a liquid measuring cup. Whisk well until fully combined.
- Pour the mix into a saucepan. Bring to a full boil, whisking continuously. Keep boiling the sauce until it becomes translucent and thickens (a few minutes). Take off the heat.
To serve:
- Serve the tofu with rice, drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle chopped scallions on top.
Notes:
*If fresh ginger is not available, you can substitute ½ teaspoon dried ground ginger.
**You can tell whether sesame oil is toasted or not by its color. Toasted sesame oil has a deep amber color while untoasted sesame oil is almost colorless.
***The level of spiciness in a given amount of crushed red pepper flakes varies quite a bit from batch to batch. I recommend you start with ¼ teaspoon and then add more after you taste the sauce, if you like it spicier.
Storage instructions:
Store leftover fried tofu cubes and leftover sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat the tofu in a non-stick pan on the stovetop. Reheat the sauce in a pan or in the microwave.
Andrea says
Was AuuMazing!!! Will make more sauce next time but everything was on point.
Nicole B. says
I'm so happy to hear that, thank you so much for coming back and leaving such great feedback, Andrea!! :)