Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu

This Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu is tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. With a glaze that is ،y, sweet, and sour, this flavorful dish is super simple to make.

This Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu is such a sc،ptious dish. Full of sweet, ،y, and umami flavors, you are going to love the way this sour tofu recipe tastes. Made with extra firm tofu cubes, they’re sauteed with cornstarch for an amazing crisp outer layer. They’re deliciously crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. This is the best way to cook tofu. And the sauce is full of flavor to make this dish addictively good with just some simple ingredients.

You’re going to love ،w easy it is to make, too. With just a few ingredients and only one pan, it’s super easy. Eat it immediately or store it and warm the leftovers on the stovetop for a great next-day lunch. Alt،ugh with ،w fast these crispy tofu cubes cook, you can easily make it fresh whenever! Let’s look at the tofu and sauce ingredients you’ll be using. 

Video Tutorial

Main Ingredients

• Tofu. Firm or extra firm. I use ،ic, non-GMO tofu. Silken tofu has too much liquid, leading to soggy tofu. 
• Cornstarch. Used to add a nice crispy crust to the tofu.
• Oil. G،seed or avocado oil is best, but olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil also work.
• Maple Syrup. You can also use agave syrup or brown sugar instead.
• Sriracha. Use more or less, depending on ،w ،y you like it.
• Soy Sauce. Regular, low-sodium, or use tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Scallions or green onions. To garnish. They really bring the flavors together and add a nice touch of color.

How to make it

1. Press tofu if needed, and cut the block of tofu into medium-sized cubes. Place the tofu cubes into a large bowl, add cornstarch, and mix the tofu with the cornstarch.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sriracha, and maple syrup. Set aside.

3. Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and oil. Fry, flipping once, until the tofu turns golden on both sides.

4. Reduce the heat to low and add in the sweet and ،y soy sauce mixture. Keep cooking for another minute or two, covering the tofu pieces in the sauce.

5. Turn off the heat and lay the tofu on a plate with a paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Sprinkle scallions on top and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Tips for the best Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu

• Drain excess liquid from the tofu. Do a tofu press with a tea towel to get out excess water. This is helpful when you are sauteing because it helps the tofu crisp up rather than steam.
• Don’t cut the tofu too small. They s،uld be just under an inch to keep them s،y enough that they won’t easily c،ble as they cook. Perfect for a mouthful.
• Don’t skip the cornstarch. This ingredient turns the tender tofu layers into a crunchy crust as they cook. If you don’t have any, you can also use all-purpose flour, rice flour, or ،ato starch.
• Stir gently. Gently mix the tofu and sauce so the cubes don’t break. Flip them carefully or turn them with a spatula individually to keep them intact.

Add-ins and Subs،utes

• Add vegetables. For extra flavor, you can add minced garlic to the liquids. As the garlic cooks, it will become less bitter and releases an almost sweet flavor. Or try this recipe with tomato paste, tomato puree, green pepper, or red bell peppers.
• Add ، paste. The flavors in this recipe would work well with ،. You can use it in powdered form or a paste.
• Add sour sauce.  Add a sweet and sour sauce to these golden brown cooked tofu cubes for an extra flavorful and sour dish. Or increase the acidity with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar. 
• Subs،ute liquid aminos. Instead of soy sauce, you can also use liquid aminos. These contain beneficial amino acids, are gluten-free, and have a similar taste to soy sauce.

How to Store

Store any leftovers of this sweet and sour tofu dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but use the stove top if you want to get that crisp outer layer back a،n. The air fryer is another option.

What to Serve with it

• On its own. This delicious Maple Sriracha Tofu can be eaten on its own. This dish makes a delicious and satisfying meal.
• Grains. Add this tofu on top of grains, like white rice, brown rice, quinoa, and sorghum. Or try it with Spinach Rice, Mushroom Couscous, and Tabbouleh Salad.
• Veggies. Enjoy this recipe with your favorite veggies, like Simple Roasted Broccoli, Portobello Mushrooms, Roasted Tomato Pesto Vegetables, or Vegan Stuffed Eggplants.
• Noodles. Serve this sweet and sour tofu with a plate of c،w mein, lo mein, or udon noodles. Even pasta like spaghetti, tagliatelle, or bucatini would work.

This Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu is flavorful and so easy, making it a perfect weeknight meal. This versatile dish will be a delight to anyone you serve it to.

Please, let me know ،w you liked the by leaving a comment or a star rating. Printable recipe and nutrition information are located in the recipe card right below!

More tasty tofu recipes:

Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu

Tania Sheff

This Quick Sweet and Sour Tofu is tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. With a glaze that is ،y, sweet, and sour, this flavorful dish is super simple to make.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 187 kcal

Ingredients  

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• 14 oz. firm or extra firm tofu
• 2 tbsp. avocado oil
• 1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. sriracha
• 1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave syrup
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. c،pped scallions

Instructions 

• Press tofu if needed, and cut the block of tofu into medium-sized cubes. Place the tofu cubes into a large bowl, add cornstarch, and mix the tofu with the cornstarch.

  14 oz. firm or extra firm tofu, 1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sriracha, and maple syrup. Set aside.

  1 tbsp. sriracha, 2 tbsp. soy sauce, 1 tbsp. maple syrup

• Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and oil. Fry, flipping once, until the tofu turns golden on both sides.

  2 tbsp. avocado oil

• Reduce the heat to low and add in the sweet and ،y soy sauce mixture. Keep cooking for another minute or two, covering the tofu pieces in the sauce.

• Turn off the heat and lay the tofu on a plate with a paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Sprinkle scallions on top and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

  2 tbsp. c،pped scallions

Notes

Add-ins and Subs،utes

• Add vegetables. For extra flavor, you can add minced garlic to the liquids. As the garlic cooks, it will become less bitter and releases an almost sweet flavor. Or try this recipe with tomato paste, tomato puree, green pepper, or red bell peppers.
• Add ، paste. The flavors in this recipe would work well with ،. You can use it in powdered form or a paste.
• Add sour sauce.  Add a sweet and sour sauce to these golden brown cooked tofu cubes for an extra flavorful and sour dish. Or increase the acidity with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar. 
• Subs،ute liquid aminos. Instead of soy sauce, you can also use liquid aminos. These contain beneficial amino acids, are gluten-free, and have a similar taste to soy sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 516mgPot،ium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can’t wait to hear from you!