Honey Sriracha Tofu is a sweet and spicy, crispy, and super delicious appetizer to make for dinner or any gathering. It is one of the best ways to add protein to your diet, especially if you are a vegan. The recipe can be prepared in about 20 minutes and comes under 160 calories per serving.
About Honey Sriracha Tofu
I love tofu in any form and experiment with it a lot. For me, a tofu dish without the aroma of basil or other similar aromatic herbs is just incomplete. This recipe below is not only easy to make but also tasty. The spiciness of sriracha and the sweetness of the honey combined with the aroma of sauteed ginger, garlic, and basil leaves makes this spicy tofu stir fry just amazing 🙂 There is no bland tofu here! Only delicious, juicy, and crispy tofu.
Recipe variations
Non-vegetarians can also try out this recipe with chicken. Vegetarians can substitute tofu with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cauliflower, potato, baby corn, etc. Check out the recipes below.
Subscribe Below to Receive Free Meal Plans Every Week
Sign up for our newsletter to receive our weekly meal plans directly in your inbox!
Ingredients for Honey Sriracha Tofu
- Extra firm tofu is the preferred tofu for this dish. You can also use firm tofu or medium firm tofu. If you can't find Tofu, substitute them with Indian cottage cheese or Paneer.
- Garlic, Ginger, and Green chile are the optional aromatics you can add to the dish. They infuse their aroma into the dish when they are sauteed in oil. You can also add spring onions, shallots, etc.
- Soy sauce, Vinegar adds earthy flavors and tanginess to the tofu. You can use Worcestershire sauce or Tamari instead of Soy sauce. Lemon juice can be added in place of vinegar. If you do not have these ingredients, they can be skipped.
- Sriracha chili sauce - is the main flavoring component of the dish. You can substitute it with other hot sauces, chilli sauce, schezwan sauce, etc.
- Honey adds a hint of sweetness to the tofu dish. It can be replaced with Maple syrup, Agave nectar, jaggery syrup/molasses, etc.
- Cayenne powder (Red chile powder), Black pepper powder is used to add additional heat/spiciness to the dish. These are optional and can be skipped.
- Dried or Fresh basil leaves add freshness and fragrance to the dish. This can be substituted with other herbs such as cilantro, parsley, mint leaves, etc.
- Toasted Sesame seeds add nuttiness and crunchiness to the dish. Roasted peanuts or cashews can be used as replacements.
- Vegetable oil for shallow frying. Use any neutral flavored oil such as coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.
Refer to the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Step by Step Recipe
Step 1 - Remove excess water from the tofu and cut into cubes or any desired shape. Toss the cut tofu in cornstarch or potato starch and set aside.
Step 2 - Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Saute aromatic veggies for two minutes. Then add the tofu and saute until they become light golden brown on all sides.
Alternative Step 2 - Baking Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Transfer the tofu (from Step 1) to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them so they do not overlap. Apply a light spray of oil and bake them for 30 to 40 minutes until the tofu turns light brown and crispy. Every oven is different, so keep an eye at the 20 minute mark. Same cooking instructions need to be followed in a air-fryer.
Step 3 - In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sriracha chili sauce, pepper powder, chilli powder and mix well. Add this sauce to the tofu and stir so that the tofu is well coated with the sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves, cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds.
Expert Chef Tips
- Using firm or extra-firm tofu is important as other tofu varieties will break apart when fried. Also, make sure to remove excess moisture from the tofu before using it in the recipe, especially if you love crispy tofu!
- There are several optional ingredients listed in the recipe to enhance the taste of the dish. Vary the ingredients as per your taste.
- If Sriracha is not available, use any chilli sauce as a substitute. The taste may vary accordingly.
- If sesame seeds are not your favorite, you can replace them with coarsely powdered toasted nuts (peanuts, cashew, etc.)
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding green chilies, cayenne powder, red chili flakes, black pepper powder, etc.
- You can also substitute dried basil with fresh basil. This will enhance the taste. If basil is not available, add other fragrant herbs of your choice.
- Serve it with a side of cooked jasmine rice, steamed or sauteed broccoli, pickled vegetables, fresh salads, etc.
- If you do not prefer fried tofu, you can make this dish with baked tofu.
- For a non-spicy version of this dish for kids, you can skip adding sriracha sauce to prepare honey garlic tofu. All other steps remain the same.
Storage Instructions
Leftover honey sriracha tofu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or in a stove-top until heated through.
FAQs
When refrigerated, an opened pack of tofu remains fresh for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to soak it in fresh (filtered) water to prevent it from drying out or getting contaminated. Change this water every 24 hours.
Yes, Tofu is gluten free as it is prepared using Soy bean milk and curdling agents. However, pay attention to the packaging for gluten-free certification.
This recipe is gluten-free as long as all the flavorings (sauces) that are added to prepare the dish are certified gluten-free.
Yes. For ease of use, first extract/dry-out the tofu as much as possible. Then, cut it into cubes and store it in freezer safe Ziplock bags for up to 3 to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for few hours at room temperature before using them in a recipe.
More Tofu Recipes to Love
You can also check out my other popular tofu recipes here :
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Recipe card
Crispy Honey Sriracha Tofu | Delicious Tofu Appetizer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pack Extra Firm Tofu 14 oz
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch or Potato starch (optional)
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 3 cloves Garlic finely chopped, optional
- 1 inch Ginger finely chopped, optional
- 1 piece Green Chilies finely chopped, optional
- ¼ teaspoon Salt to taste, optional
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1.5 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Vinegar optional
- ½ teaspoon Dried basil leaves or 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped, optional
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne powder or Red Chile powder, optional
- ¼ teaspoon Blackpepper powder to taste, or Red chilli flakes, optional
- 2 teaspoon Sesame seeds toasted, for garnish, optional
Instructions
Step 1 - Prep the tofu
- Using a paper towel, remove excess water from the tofu block. Use a tofu press if available, to get rid of excess moisture. Cut the tofu into cubes or any desired shape. Optionally, add potato starch or cornstarch, and toss the tofu cubes until well coated.1 pack Extra Firm Tofu, 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
Step 2 - Fry the tofu
- Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add ginger, garlic, and green chile and saute till it becomes light in color. Adding these aromatics is optional, but they enhance the flavor of the dish.2 tablespoon Vegetable oil, 3 cloves Garlic, 1 inch Ginger, 1 piece Green Chilies
- Now add the tofu (from Step 1) and saute it for about 7 to 8 minutes till it becomes light golden brown on all sides. You can sprinkle salt on top of the tofu while sauteing it.¼ teaspoon Salt
Step 3 - Prepare the sauce
- While the tofu is shallow fried, prepare the sauce in a bowl. Add soy sauce, honey, sriracha chili sauce, vinegar (optiona), pepper powder, and cayenne powder and mix well.1 tablespoon Soy sauce, 2 tablespoon Sriracha, 1.5 tablespoon Honey, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne powder, ¼ teaspoon Blackpepper powder, 1 teaspoon Vinegar
Step 4 - Toss Fried Tofu in the Sauce
- Add the sauce mixture to the fried tofu and stir so that the tofu is well coated with the sauce. Cook this for about 2 minutes.
- Add the basil leaves and sesame seeds and mix well.½ teaspoon Dried basil leaves, 2 teaspoon Sesame seeds
- Honey Sriracha Tofu is now ready. Serve hot and enjoy. You can garnish it with cilantro or spring onions.
Notes
Expert Chef Tips
-
- Using firm or extra-firm tofu is important as other tofu varieties will break apart when fried. Also, make sure to remove excess moisture from the tofu before using it in the recipe, especially if you love crispy tofu!
- There are several optional ingredients listed in the recipe to enhance the taste of the dish. Vary the ingredients as per your taste.
- If Sriracha is not available, use any chilli sauce as a substitute. The taste may vary accordingly.
- Toasted sesame seeds can be replaced with coarsely powdered toasted nuts (peanuts, cashew, etc.)
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding green chilies, cayenne powder, red chili flakes, black pepper powder, etc.
- Substitute dried basil with fresh basil. This will enhance the taste. If basil is not available, add other fragrant herbs of your choice.
- Serve this dish with a side of cooked jasmine rice, steamed or sauteed broccoli, pickled vegetables, fresh salads, etc.
- For a non-spicy version of this dish for kids, you can skip adding sriracha sauce to prepare honey garlic tofu. All other steps remain the same.
- If you do not prefer fried tofu, you can make this dish with baked tofu.
- Baking Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Transfer the tofu (from Step 1) to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them so they do not overlap. Apply a light spray of oil and bake them for 30 to 40 minutes until light brown and crispy. Every oven is different, so keep an eye from around the 20-minute mark. Continue with Steps 3 and 4.
Storage Instructions
- Leftover honey sriracha tofu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or in a stove top until heated through.
Nutrition
Note: We originally posted this recipe in April 2016. It has now been modified in June 2023 with modified recipe, Recipe Card, Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
Jacqueline King says
Looks so good! I bet it's delish!!
Kushi says
Thank you Jacqueline 🙂
Nicolas Puegher says
Great post! Love the images and looking forward to cook it, looks super tasty!
Kushi says
Thank you Nicolas 🙂
China Barbie says
Absolutely love tofu! And sriracha! Can't wait to try this! 😀
-China Barbie
Kushi says
Thank you dear 🙂
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder says
Wow you have so many tofu recipes! This looks yummy - sweet and spicy is my fav
Kushi says
Thank you Natalie 🙂
srividhya says
Love Tofu and this sweet and spicy version looks super awesome and flavorful.
Kushi says
Thank you Sri 🙂