Spicy Tofu

Spicy tofu brushed in a sticky fiery sauce of ginger, sweet chili sauce, hoisin, and soy sauce for a punch of insanely good flavor. 

Why this recipe works

This spicy tofu recipe is one of those dishes that even the biggest tofu critics can agree on. All you need is a generous dash of flavor from the umami-rich sauce to transform your cubes into something mouthwatering. Combining ginger, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and hoisin into a sticky basteable sauce takes it over the top. Top with red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat and that’s all there is to it.

Tofu is essentially a protein-packed base that begs for a myriad of flavors to complement it. There’s no excuse for it to be bland, unless of course that’s how you prefer it! It’s fantastic tossed in sticky sauces like our honey garlic tofu or you can pan fry, deep fry, bake, or grill it into countless different recipes. 

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

TOFU – Extra firm tofu is ideal for this recipe because it holds its shape and absorbs the flavors of the sauce well.

CORNSTARCH – Cornstarch is your secret weapon for achieving that perfect crispy exterior. It helps the tofu develop a lovely golden crust.

How to Make Spicy Tofu

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Wrap tofu in paper towels and gently squeeze to remove any excess moisture. Cut tofu into 2-inch cubes. Place cubed tofu into a large mixing bowl.
3. Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss to coat.
4. Combine the remaining ingredients in an immersion blender. Blend until completely mixed together.
5. Pour mixture over the tofu in the bowl and toss to coat. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
6. Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Remove tofu from marinade, setting aside the excess marinade for later. Spread the tofu out onto the baking sheet. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
7. Place saucepan of remaining sauce over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then turn heat down to medium. Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together cornstarch and water and drizzling it into the saucepan. Stir or whisk occasionally until thickened.
8. Remove tofu from oven and brush with thickened sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Garnish your spicy tofu with sesame seeds and sliced green onions as garnish. Serve over a bed of rice or noodles and pair with steamed or roasted veggies. This particular recipe is also fantastic tossed into stir-fries. Enjoy!

More Related Recipes

• Lentil Meatballs
• Honey Garlic Tofu
• Vegetarian Tacos
• Mushroom Stroganoff
• Air Fryer Tofu

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Spicy Tofu

Protein-rich and packed with flavor, this spicy tofu doesn't come to play. Toss into salads, bowls, and stir fries or enjoy it over a bed of rice for a complete meal!

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IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 5 servings

55 minutes mins

Calories: 236

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 14 ounces extra firm tofu
• ▢ 2-3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons minced ginger
• ▢ ⅓ cup Asian sweet chili sauce
• ▢ ½ cup soy sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ red pepper flakes optional

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  immersion blender
• ▢
  Large mixing bowl
• ▢
  Baking sheet
• ▢
  Saucepan

Before You Begin

• Extra firm tofu is ideal for this recipe because it holds its shape and absorbs the flavors of the sauce well.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Wrap tofu in paper towels and gently squeeze to remove any excess moisture. Cut tofu into 2-inch cubes. Place cubed tofu into a large mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and toss to coat.
• Combine remaining ingredients in an immersion blender. Blend until completely mixed together.
• Pour mixture over the tofu in the bowl and toss to coat. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Remove tofu from marinade, setting aside the excess marinade for later. Spread the tofu out onto the baking sheet. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Place saucepan of remaining sauce over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then turn heat down to medium. Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together cornstarch and water and drizzling it into the saucepan. Stir or whisk occasionally until thickened.
• Remove tofu from oven and brush with thickened sauce.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do note that this recipe is best enjoyed fresh as the tofu will continue to soak up the sauce as it sits in the refrigerator. It’s still perfectly good to reheat and eat later on, it just may not be as saucy. 
• Reheat your spicy tofu in a 375F oven for around 10–15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 236cal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 0.4mg | Sodium: 1361mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

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