Spicy honey tofu: Sweet caramelized tofu. What could be better?

I love Chinese takeout. 

But to save money, I like to make some of my favorite Chinese takeout dishes at home.

This spicy honey tofu is similar the sesame tofu I get at my go-to Chinese restaurant. 

It’s a crispy, oven-baked tofu with a sweet/spicy sauce. The sauce contains honey and sriracha sauce. It’s topped with sesame seeds and green onions. Served with rice, it’s a complete meal. 

Voila. Delicious Chinese takeout at home.

Spicy honey tofu: Make Chinese take-out at home! Click through for recipe.

How To Make Crispy Tofu

The key to making crispy pan-fried tofu, suitable for this dish, is to remove as much water from the tofu as possible. Here’s the process:

  • Cut the extra firm block of tofu in half the long way.
  • Place the tofu on top of a layer of paper towels on a baking sheet (to catch water that is released).
  • Top with another layer of paper towels and a heavy object, like a cast iron skillet.

Drain water from tofu to make spicy honey tofu.

  • Let the tofu sit for at least 20 minutes.
  • Remove heavy object. Blot with paper towels to remove any surface water.
  • Cut into bite-sized pieces and proceed with the recipe below.

Spicy honey tofu: Start by draining water from tofu, cubing, frying, and tossing in sauce.

More Chinese Takeout Recipes

Spicy honey tofu: Learn how to make delicious Chinese take-out at home!

Spicy honey tofu: Sweet caramelized tofu. What could be better?

Spicy Honey Tofu

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

You can make the sauce ahead of time and heat right before combining with tofu.

Ingredients

  • 16-ounce package extra firm tofu
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • Sesame seeds and green onion, for topping
  • Cooked white rice, for serving

Spicy honey glaze

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

Instructions

  1. Prepare tofu: Remove tofu from water. Slice tofu block in half the long way. Place each slice on a paper-towel lined baking sheet. Top with another layer of paper towels. Place a heavy object on top of tofu (like a cast iron skillet) and let sit for 30 minutes or longer to remove water.
  2. Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Blot away any remaining water with a paper towel. Toss in cornstarch and shake off any excess.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Place about half of the tofu pieces in the oil. Cook on each side to brown. This will take about 5 minutes. Remove from oil and place on a paper towel-lined surface to remove excess oil.
  4. Make spicy honey sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a sauce pan and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens.
  5. Toss fried tofu with warm sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve on top of rice with top with chopped green onions.

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