Create a satisfying, plant-based meal with Honey Sesame Tofu! Made with high-protein tofu coated in soy garlic sauce. Each bite delivers a crunch of sesame seeds and a kick of spice from red pepper flakes.
What Makes Honey Sesame Tofu Healthy?
Tofu is a great source of plant-based protein, providing essential amino acids in a low-calorie, low-cholesterol form. For this recipe, I used Trader Joe’s Organic High Protein Tofu. It’s super firm, which is perfect for baking.
The soybeans in tofu contain oligosaccharides, a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy microbiome.
Sesame seeds are a good source of dietary fiber and healthy fats and also support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Ingredients
To make honey sesame tofu, you’ll need the following:
- super firm high-protein tofu
- avocado or olive oil
- salt
- soy sauce (gluten-free) or tamari
- honey
- rice vinegar
- toasted sesame oil
- garlic
- red pepper flakes
- white sesame seeds
- corn starch
- For serving: sliced green onion, rice
Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
How to Make Honey Sesame Tofu
Preheat oven to 425° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pat dry the super-firm tofu with a paper towel. Cut into 1/2 to 1-inch cubes and arrange them on your lined pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with a dash of salt. Toss to coat.
Bake for 10 minutes. Flip with a spatula, then bake for another 15 minutes, or until tofu is golden, slightly firm, and shows crispy edges.
While the tofu is baking, add soy/tamari sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
In a small bowl, make a slurry from the corn starch and water to thicken the sauce. Stir the mixture into the simmering sauce and simmer for about 2 minutes until the sauce has a honey-like texture.
Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in the sesame seeds.
Add the baked tofu to the sauce and toss to fully coat the cubes. Serve with rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
Recipe FAQs
What type of tofu should I use for this recipe?
For honey sesame tofu, use firm or extra-firm tofu. These types hold their shape better during cooking and absorb the flavors of the marinade well.
How do I press tofu and why is it necessary?
Pressing tofu removes excess water, allowing it to absorb marinades better and achieve a crispier texture when cooked. Super firm, high protein tofu has less moisture than other tofus, so pressing the tofu in a paper towel to remove excess moisture should be sufficient to dry it out.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As long as you use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative instead of regular soy sauce, this recipe is gluten-free.
What can I use as a substitute for honey if I want to make it vegan?
To make the recipe vegan, substitute honey with agave syrup, maple syrup, or another plant-based liquid sweetener.
How do I store leftovers and how long do they last?
Store leftover honey sesame tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven to retain crispiness.
What vegetables pair well with honey sesame tofu?
You can pair honey sesame tofu with a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, and bok choy. These can be stir-fried or steamed and served alongside the tofu.
What should I serve with honey sesame tofu?
Honey sesame tofu pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, or noodles. You can also serve it on a bed of mixed greens for a lighter option.
How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat level?
The spice level can be adjusted to your preference by dialing up or dialing down the quantity of red pepper flakes. If you prefer a mild dish, you can omit the red pepper flakes. If you prefer spicier, add sriracha sauce!
Can I use an air fryer to cook the tofu?
Yes, you can use an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), arrange the marinated tofu in a single layer, and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Honey Sesame Tofu
Ingredients
Baked Tofu:
- 1 package super firm high-protein tofu 14-16 oz package
- 1 Tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 1 dash of salt
Sesame Sauce:
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free) or tamari
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (medium), grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 Tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 cup water
- sliced green onion and rice for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat dry the super-firm tofu with a paper towel. Cut into 1/2 to 1-inch cubes and arrange them on your lined pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with a dash of salt. Toss to coat.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Flip with a spatula, then bake for another 15 minutes, or until tofu is golden, slightly firm, and shows crispy edges.
- While the tofu is baking, add soy/tamari sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, make a slurry from the corn starch and water to thicken the sauce. Stir the mixture into the simmering sauce and simmer for about 2 minutes until the sauce has a honey-like texture.
- Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in the sesame seeds.
- Add the baked tofu to the sauce and toss to fully coat the cubes. Serve with rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
One Response
This was really good. I can see this working with regular firm tofu too which is usually what I buy.