Honey butter crispy tofu is one of those recipes I make on repeat because it's sweet, savory, and deliciously crispy. I started making this after getting obsessed with honey butter chicken and thought tofu deserved the same love. Once that sticky honey butter sauce hits the crispy tofu, you will understand what I mean.
What Is Honey Butter Crispy Tofu?
Honey butter crispy tofu features crispy fried tofu cubes tossed in a glossy honey butter sauce made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and melted butter. It is inspired by honey butter chicken, but tofu soaks up the sauce beautifully and gets nice and crispy when you coat it right.
Why You'll Love Honey Butter Crispy Tofu
- Crispy without deep frying: A quick shallow fry gets you beautifully crispy tofu.
- Big flavor, simple pantry: The honey butter sauce uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Weeknight friendly: From block of tofu to dinner table, you are looking at about 30 minutes.
Equipment You'll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Large plate
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Medium saucepan
- Small Whisk
Ingredients for Honey Butter Crispy Tofu
Crispy Tofu
- Extra firm tofu: Make sure to use extra firm tofu which holds up best for this recipe!
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Corn starch
- Neutral oil: Good options are avocado or vegetable oil since they can handle high heat without smoking.
Honey Butter Sauce
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Garlic cloves
- Water
- Corn starch
- Unsalted butter
Garnishes
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds
Customizations
- Spice it up: Add a small spoonful of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Swap the protein: This honey butter sauce works just as well tossed with crispy chicken or shrimp.
- Add some crunch: Top with crushed peanuts or extra sesame seeds for texture.
How to Make Honey Butter Crispy Tofu
Prep the Tofu
Drain the tofu and pat it very dry with paper towels, then cut into 1 inch cubes.
In a large bowl, toss the tofu gently with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Coat and Fry
Spread corn starch on a large plate and coat the tofu pieces individually, a few at a time, so they do not stick together.
Heat a ½ inch layer of neutral oil in a large pan and fry the tofu in a single layer for 5-6 minutes total, flipping to crisp up all sides. Transfer to a plate once golden.
Make the Honey Butter Sauce
Whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, water, and corn starch in a bowl and set aside.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, then pour in the sauce mixture. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens up nicely.
Toss and Serve
Turn off the heat, add the crispy tofu to the pan, and toss quickly to coat before the sauce sets.
Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, then serve immediately over white rice with your favorite veggies.
Storage
Honey butter crispy tofu is best eaten fresh while it is still crispy. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days but the tofu will soften as it sits.
Tips to Make the Perfect Honey Butter Crispy Tofu
- Dry your tofu well: Excess moisture is the number one enemy of crispy tofu, so pat it very dry before coating.
- Do not crowd the pan: Fry in batches if needed so every piece gets that golden crust instead of steaming.
- Toss off the heat: Adding the tofu after turning off the heat keeps it crispy instead of soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I bake this tofu instead of frying it?
Yes, toss the coated tofu with a little oil and bake at 425F for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
Why is my tofu not getting crispy?
This usually means the tofu was not dried well enough or the pan was overcrowded. Extra firm tofu, a thorough pat dry, and frying in batches make all the difference.
Can I make honey butter crispy tofu ahead of time?
You can prep the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge, but the tofu is best fried and tossed right before serving so it stays crispy.
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Honey Butter Crispy Tofu
Equipment
Ingredients
Crispy Tofu
- 1 package extra firm tofu 16 oz size
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ cup corn starch
- Neutral oil for frying
Honey Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ teaspoon corn starch
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
Garnishes
- Chopped green onion
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Drain the tofu, pat it very dry with paper towels, then cut into 1 inch cubes.1 package extra firm tofu
- In a large bowl, add tofu, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss tofu gently until evenly coated.1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, Freshly cracked black pepper
- Spread corn starch on a large plate and coat the tofu pieces individually, a few at a time. Make sure to coat them separately so they don’t stick together and break.½ cup corn starch
- In a large pan, heat ½ inch layer of neutral oil. Add the tofu in a single layer and fry for 5-6 minutes total, flipping to crisp up all sides. Transfer to a plate once golden.Neutral oil
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, water, and corn starch and set aside.¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup honey, 4 cloves garlic, ¼ cup water, ¾ tsp corn starch
- In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the butter, then pour in the sauce mixture. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens up nicely. Turn off the heat, add the crispy tofu, and toss quickly to coat before the sauce sets. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds.3 tbsp unsalted butter, Chopped green onion, Sesame seeds
- Serve immediately over white rice with your favorite veggies and sides.
