Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu (VIDEO)
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Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu is my all time favorite tofu recipe – the tofu is coated in cornstarch, fried until crispy, and tossed in a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze that is absolutely delicious with a bowl of freshly steamed rice!
Watch the Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe Video!
A Note from CJ
This is the best Tofu recipe ever!
I am obsessed with this recipe – as a certified carnivore, it means a lot when I say you won’t even miss meat with this one! The key is that you use firm tofu to make sure the tofu holds up well, just like meat, under the sweet and spicy sauce. I use cornstarch to give it a crispy coating.
For more vegetarian recipes, try Air Fryer Tofu, Salt and Pepper Tofu, Korean Fried Cauliflower, Spicy Gochujang Noodles, and Korean Braised Tofu! Korean sides (banchan) like Korean Cucumber Salad, Korean Braised Potatoes, Korean Bean Sprouts, and Korean Spinach Side Dish are also great!
This is so good! I NEVER leave ratings on things but this whole heartedly deserves it! They turned out unbelievably crispy, just the way I like it. And the sauce…. the sauce is the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy!
Ingredient Tips
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!
- tofu – I recommend using extra firm tofu because it has the least amount of water content and is dense, similar to the consistency of meat. It will hold up best when fried.
- cornstarch – tossing the tofu cubes in cornstarch will help them maintain their firmness and develop a crispy coating when fried, which also helps them hold up better in the sauce.
- gochujang – this is a spicy and sweet Korean red pepper paste, with a strong flavor profile and a hint of umami. If you’re sensitive to heat, I recommend halving it.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Tofu
Prep, Dredge and Fry the Tofu – Pat the tofu cubes completely dry, then season them with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Heat neutral oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat and fry the tofu in a single layer for 2–3 minutes per side until crisp and golden. Work in batches if needed, transferring the tofu to a wire rack to drain and stay crunchy.
Make the Sauce and Toss the Tofu – In the same pan, add a little more oil and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the honey, gochujang, brown sugar, soy sauce, and hot water, simmering until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Add the crispy tofu and toss until each piece is fully glazed, then finish with scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS
CJ’s Recipe & Storage Tips
Dry Tofu = Crispy Tofu – The key to crispy tofu is ensuring there is as little moisture as possible – I recommend patting it dry twice! When you remove the tofu out of the package and drain it, pat it dry with paper towels before cutting it into cubes. Once you’ve cut the tofu into 1 inch cubes, pat the cubes dry again with a paper towel before seasoning it.
Storage and Reheating – Store any leftover tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The tofu will soften and lose any crispy texture – this is normal. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
If you tried this Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu (VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 16 oz firm or extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1” cubes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Neutral oil
Spicy Honey Garlic Glaze
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil, 15ml
- 10 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons honey, 30ml
- 1 tablespoon gochujang, 15ml
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 26g
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium (45ml)
- ¼ cup hot water
For garnish
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Pat the tofu cubes dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Add them to a bowl and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss the tofu cubes until evenly coated.
- In a wok or pan, add ½ cup of neutral oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer and fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping to crisp up the tofu on all sides. Repeat with the rest of the tofu and remove to a wire rack to drain.
- In a pan, add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil over medium high heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds then add honey, gochujang, brown sugar, soy sauce, and hot water. Mix to combine and heat until the mixture simmers and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add the tofu cubes, mix and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- tofu – I recommend using extra firm tofu because it has the least amount of water content and is dense, similar to the consistency of meat. It will hold up best when fried.
- cornstarch – tossing the tofu cubes in cornstarch will help them maintain their firmness and develop a crispy coating when fried, which also helps them hold up better in the sauce. Shake off any excess cornstarch to avoid a thick, pasty coating.
- gochujang – this is a spicy and sweet Korean red pepper paste, with a strong flavor profile and a hint of umami. If you’re sensitive to heat, I recommend halving it.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Spicy Honey Garlic Tofu recipe was originally published in November 2023, and updated in December 2025.
Not a huge fan of tofu but my fiance wanted me to try this recipe out since she’s a tofu lover. Real simple to make ! Super quick and easy and it actually was quite tasty. Especially with the fried crunch factor, I would make this recipe again. I did add some chili crisp on top for extra heat !
This is so good! My husband and I are recent tofu converts and this recipe is a staple. Not too spicy but perfectly flavorful. Tastes better than takeout!
so good. saw god
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Just made this for dinner over rice and broccoli. It was absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to make it again already!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Raquel!
Even my husband, who hates tofu, LOVED this 🥰
Best way to make tofu!
Wow so good and so easy
A culinary delight.
Made this last week and it was so good. Tried many tofu recipes but this one was a hit!
I almost always seem to add too much or too little cornstarch to tofu when cooking by myself. I’ve found this recipe to have the right amount.
My family loved this tofu dish for dinner. 10/10 and fresh, added mini cucumber and bean sprouts on the side with crushed peanuts. Even my husband liked it! So wonderful for a weeknight when I need something fast. Thanks CJ, I really enjoy your posts!