Total Time: 20 minutes
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This easy honey sesame tofu dish has crispy, pan-fried tofu cubes that are served with a sweet, sour and spicy sauce. You coat the tofu cubes with all-purpose flour on all sides so they are encased in a delicious golden shell after frying. The sauce has intense flavor from honey, ginger, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce and red pepper flakes.
Recipe and ingredient 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 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.
- Use extra firm tofu for this recipe. It has a denser texture than firm, soft or silken tofu.
- 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. That traps the moisture inside the tofu so it doesn't interfere with the frying.
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 on all sides.
- 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.
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.
Full 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.
Equipment:
Ingredients:
Method:
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.
Recipe notes:
*If fresh ginger is not available, you can substitute ½ teaspoon dried ground ginger.
**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.
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Nutrition (estimate only):
More honey sesame dishes:
- This cold Asian shrimp noodle salad and this hokkien noodle stir fry with chicken are made with fresh and fragrant ingredients.
- This sriracha sesame sauce is sweet, sour and spicy and perfect on grilled chicken.
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!! :)