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Honey Garlic Tofu is a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors. Experience for yourself the marvelous marriage of golden-brown tofu coated in a glaze of honey, soy sauce, and garlic, with an optional little kick from chili peppers.

Along with being mouth-wateringly delicious, the generous dose of protein, calcium, and nutritious plant fats makes it perfect for any dinner table!
If you liked flavor packed dishes, you will love this. I'm looking at you tofu haters. This recipe is so delicious, even you will love it!
Plus, it literally is one of the easiest recipes. Just fry some tofu and coat it in sauce. Done. Easy.
Now, if you have never tried tofu before, this is a great place to start. You'll also want to try this sambal tofu and this mapo tofu. They are some of my favorite tofu recipes.
I like to go back and forth between meat and meatless meals. Some of my favorite meatless meals include Vegetarian Ramen. It's literally my go to easy recipe when I'm going meatless! But try these other dishes as well:
- Spicy Zucchini Curry
- Vegetarian Lasagna
- Crispy Baked Vegetarian Empanadas
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Cauliflower Tikka Masala
- Korean Cauliflower Wings
Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet, savory, and bursting with flavor, this recipe is as delightful as it is easy to make.
- With just a few ingredients and little time investment, you can craft a meal that is sure to satisfy any crowd.
- The combination of garlic, honey, and soy sauce brings out the best in tofu. Caramelized and much more flavorful than when it starts off, the golden-brown slices create an exquisite bite.
Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and quantities used, please refer to the recipe card below.
A 16 ounce block of tofu is needed for this recipe. Tofu should be firm or extra-firm for best results.
You'll also need cooking oil of some sort. You can use what you have on hand.
Ginger paste, garlic cloves, and honey are also key ingredients for this recipe. Ginger and garlic help to add flavor to the tofu, while honey adds the perfect amount of sweetness to compliment the spice.
My favorite topping for tofu is sesame seeds, but you could also use crushed garlic or fried shallots.
Step by Step Instructions
Place the block of tofu between several paper towels and gently squeeze to get as much moisture out as possible. **You may need to replace the paper towels a couple times
Slice the tofu into ½-1" squares and toss in the oil, salt and black pepper.
Spread it on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown around the edges and slightly crisped on the outside. (*can also be pan-fried in a non-stick skillet).
While the tofu bakes, mix the remaining ingredients together (except rice, green onions and sesame seeds).
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the tofu.
Pour the sauce over the top and toss to fully coat the tofu. Cook for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and serve over steamed white rice garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. What did I tell you....easiest recipe ever!
Expert Tips
- Add a bit of extra honey to give the tofu a sweeter, richer flavor.
- You can fry the tofu in a non-stick skillet instead of baking it also.
- Make sure you’re using firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe, otherwise it won’t hold up very well when pan-fried.
- Serve it over rice or with a side of veggies for a complete meal.
- This recipe is easy to adapt, so feel free to add extra spice. A pinch of chili flakes would be delicious!
- You can also stir some chopped cashews or peanuts into your Honey Garlic Tofu for a crunchy topping.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace the honey with coconut sugar or palm sugar.
- Time-saving tip: cut up your tofu and prep the sauce ahead of time for a super quick meal!
Frequently Asked Question
There are a variety of seasoning combinations that taste great with tofu. To begin experimenting, try adding seasonings like salt and pepper or your favorite herbs and spices to marinate the tofu before cooking it. Some popular flavors include teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, ginger, lemon juice and honey garlic sauce.
Honey Garlic Tofu is typically coated in garlic and honey, so that the tofu is tender and sweet. After coating in the sauce, it can be baked or fried until crispy on the outside. This delicious dish adds a unique and delicious flavor to any dish!
For a simple answer, you can use honey, garlic and soy sauce for an amazing flavor. Just follow this recipe for awesome results!
Storage and Reheating
To store honey garlic tofu, seal it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
When you're ready to reheat the tofu, simply transfer it to a preheated oven or microwave until warmed through.
You can pan-fry the tofu in a little oil over medium heat until heated through.
I don't recommend freezing as the tofu will become very mushy.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Honey Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block of tofu
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon  rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste substitute grated ginger
- Sliced green onions optional for serving
- Steamed white rice for serving
- Sesame seeds optional for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400F degrees.
- Place the block of tofu between several paper towels and gently squeeze to get as much moisture out as possible. **You may need to replace the paper towels a couple times
- Slice the tofu into ½-1" squares and toss in the oil, salt and black pepper.Â
- Spread it on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown around the edges and slightly crisped on the outside. (*can also be pan-fried in a non-stick skillet).
- While the tofu bakes, mix the remaining ingredients together (except rice, green onions and sesame seeds).
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the tofu.Â
- Pour the sauce over the top and toss to fully coat the tofu. Cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and serve over steamed white rice garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.Â
Expert Tips:
- Add a bit of extra honey to give the tofu a sweeter, richer flavor.
- You can fry the tofu in a non-stick skillet instead of baking it also.
- Make sure you’re using firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe, otherwise it won’t hold up very well when pan-fried.
- Serve it over rice or with a side of veggies for a complete meal.
- This recipe is easy to adapt, so feel free to add extra spice. A pinch of chili flakes would be delicious!
- You can also stir some chopped cashews or peanuts into your Honey Garlic Tofu for a crunchy topping.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace the honey with coconut sugar or palm sugar.
- Time-saving tip: cut up your tofu and prep the sauce ahead of time for a super quick meal!
dani
This came out so delicious! I did use a nonstick pan and the tofu stuck just a touch, but overall came out delicious!
Danielle
That's great to hear!
Jan
This looks very good. Does the centre of the tofu become soft and creamy? I am looking for a recipe that does that. I enjoy your website. Thanks for offering it.
Danielle
It definitely does! That's what I love about it 🙂 Thank!
Jan
I am wondering if I pressed the tofu too much; after pressing the pieces of tofu were just under 1/2 of original size. The texture of the tofu was rubbery and so I am trying to figure out what I did incorrectly. Thanks for your ideas.
Danielle
Hi jan! The tofu should be pressed before cutting it into pieces. As far as the texture, it may depend on the brand of tofu you are using. The outside should be crisp, and the inside slightly creamy. Sometimes the extra firm tofu can take on a slightly rubbery texture, and if it is cooked too long it can be rubbery as well. You can also try using a medium tofu as it may be creamier, you just want to take extra care as it is more likely to fall apart in the pan. I hope this helped!