Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe

Looking for a delicious and easy honey garlic tofu recipe? Look no further! This recipe is simple to follow and will have you enjoying a delicious meal in no time. Crispy air fryer tofu is tossed in a delightfully sticky honey garlic sauce and accompanied by crunchy broccoli and noodles for a delicious, comforting meal.

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This honey garlic tofu recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The tofu is crispy and flavorful, and the honey garlic sauce is just the right amount of sweet and savory.

We've included udon noodles in this version, but you can easily substitute these with any other kind or noodle, or omit the noodles and serve this dish over rice or quinoa. Whatever you choose, it's sure to be a hit.

If you're looking for a delicious vegetarian meal that everyone will love, give this recipe a try!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Honey garlic tofu is a delicious and easy recipe that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The sweet and savory flavors of the honey and garlic pair perfectly with the creamy tofu, creating a dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. Best of all, this recipe can be made in just a few minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Here are four reasons why you'll love honey garlic tofu: 

1. The sweet and savory flavors are irresistible.
2. It's a quick and easy recipe that comes together in a snap.
3. Tofu is a great source of protein and other nutrients.
4. This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and can easily be adapted to meet other dietary needs.

What You’ll Need To Make Honey Garlic Tofu

• Tofu: We recommend using firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe. This will ensure that your tofu is nice and crispy.
• Honey: Any type of honey will work for this recipe, but raw honey is a great choice for its added nutritional benefits.
• Garlic: You can use fresh or pre-peeled garlic cloves for this recipe. If using fresh garlic, be sure to mince it finely.
• Soy sauce: We recommend using low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to control the sodium content of this dish.
• Sesame oil: This oil is optional, but adds a delicious nutty flavor to the dish.
• Rice vinegar: This ingredient gives the sauce a lovely tangy flavor. Sesame oil: Sesame oil is a
• Broth: You can use vegetable or chicken broth for this recipe. We recommend using low-sodium broth to control the sodium content.
• Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika: These spices are used to coat the tofu before air frying. They give it some extra flavor and help to keep the tofu crispy.
• Cornstarch: This ingredient is used to thicken the sauce.
• Noodles: We used udon noodles in this recipe, but you can substitute any other type of noodle.
• Broccoli: Broccoli is a great addition to this dish, but feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand.
• Oil: We recommend using avocado oil for this recipe as it has a high smoke point. We use the oil to coat the tofu as it helps the spices to stick.
• Salt: Salt is used to season the tofu.

Step-By-Step Instructions

To make the honey garlic tofu, start by pressing the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove some of the water.

Once the tofu has been pressed, cut it into 1-inch cubes and place it into a large bowl. Add the oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the bowl and toss to coat the tofu.

Place the tofu in a single layer in an air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, turning the tofu at least once.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can either pan fry the tofu over medium-high heat until golden brown or bake it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes.

While the tofu is cooking, it’s time to prepare the vegetables and sauce. Start by stir-frying the broccoli in a wok or cast iron pan over high heat until cooked through. Once the broccoli is cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.

To prepare the sauce, add the sesame oil and garlic to a small saucepan and saute the garlic until fragrant. Add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and broth and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Next, mix the cornstarch with a small amount of water to make a slurry and add this to the sauce. Continue stirring over low heat until the sauce has thickened.

While the sauce is simmering, prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.

Once the sauce has thickened and the noodles have been prepared, add the broccoli, noodles, tofu, and sauce back into the wok or cast iron pan and mix to coat the broccoli and noodles in the sauce.

Serve, garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions And Substitutions

This recipe is perfect as is, but here are a few suggestions for how you can change it up:

If you’re not a fan of tofu, you can substitute chicken or shrimp. Just be sure to cook the chicken or shrimp before adding it to the sauce.

If you want to make this recipe vegan, you can use a vegan honey substitute.

If you’re not a fan of noodles, you can substitute rice or quinoa.

If you’re not a fan of broccoli, you can substitute any other vegetables you have on hand.

If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. You can also substitute the noodles for gluten-free noodles.

If you’re looking for a little bit of heat, you can add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.

How To Store Leftovers

This recipe will last in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. Be sure to store the noodles and tofu separately from the sauce as the noodles will absorb the sauce and become mushy.

When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What seasonings are good on tofu?

A: We like to use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt to season our tofu, but you can use any combination of spices that you like.

Q: How do I make the sauce spicy?

A: If you want to make the sauce spicy, simply add red pepper flakes to taste.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: You can certainly make this recipe ahead of time. Simply cook the tofu and prepare the sauce and noodles according to the instructions. Then, when you’re ready to eat, simply reheat everything in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Q: Why do I need to press the tofu before cooking it?

A: Pressing the tofu helps to remove excess moisture so that it can crisp up nicely in the air fryer or oven.

Q: How do I know when the tofu is done cooking?

A: The tofu is done cooking when it’s golden brown and crispy.

Q: What can I use instead of cornstarch?

A: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca flour.

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

A: Yes, simply substitute the soy sauce for a gluten-free variety such as tamari. You can also substitute the noodles for gluten-free noodles.

Tools And Equipment For This Recipe

Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer: The Instant Pot Vortex is a great, versatile appliance. We love it because it’s a 6-in-1 appliance and it has a built-in air fryer function.

CraftWok Carbon Steel Wok: A wok is perfect for making Mongolian tofu and other stir fry recipes. This wok is large enough to accommodate all of the ingredients and it heats up quickly.

Lodge Cast Iron Deep Skillet: This skillet can also be used to make this recipe. It’s a bit smaller than a wok, but it will still work just fine. This skillet is a better option if you don’t have a gas stove.

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