This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Maple Glazed Tofu is made with just 8 simple ingredients and is easy to throw together with minimal prep and a few dishes. Serve with rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies for a flavorful, fuss-free dinner.
Who’s ready for another easy tofu recipe?! This maple glazed tofu is sweet, savory, and perfectly crispy. It’s full of flavor, yet easy enough for any night of the week.
If you’re already a fan of our Crispy Orange Tofu, Sticky Sesame Tofu, or Salt and Pepper Tofu, this one will fit right into your dinner rotation.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Tofu
- Extra-firm tofu: Our go-to for crispy tofu.. It holds its shape well, crisps up beautifully, and stays tender on the inside.
- Neutral cooking oil: To get the best crispy exterior, you’ll need a quality neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point. We used avocado oil, but vegetable oil, canola, or refined coconut oil work well, too.
- Cornstarch: Essential for that perfectly crisp outside. We haven’t tested alternatives like arrowroot powder, so we can’t guarantee similar results.
- Spices: Garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper add a savory, smoky flavor that complements the glaze.
For the Maple Glaze
- Soy sauce: Adds salty, umami depth that balances the sweetness in the maple. We don’t recommend substituting coconut aminos as it’s not salty enough to balance the sauce.
- Maple syrup: This star of the glaze adds a nice, rich sweetness and helps to caramelize the outside of the tofu.
- Rice vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the overall flavor with a tangy acidity.
Equipment Needed
- Tofu press (optional)
- Mixing bowls (large and small)
- Nonstick skillet
- Spatula
How to Make Maple Glazed Tofu
- Prep the tofu. Press the tofu using a tofu press (or learn how to press tofu without a tofu press!) for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Pat dry, slice into ½”-inch slabs, then cut each slab diagonally to form triangles.
- Toss in seasoning. Place the tofu triangles in a large bowl with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper and toss together until the tofu is evenly coated.
- Pan fry until golden. Heat a neutral cooking oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy on all sides.
- Prepare the maple glaze. While the tofu is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, and vinegar. Set aside.
- Glaze it up. Once the tofu is golden, reduce the heat to low and pour the maple glaze over top. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes, or until the glaze thickens and evenly coats the tofu.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately while warm and crispy with sesame seeds and green onions, as desired.
Serving Suggestions
We love this maple glazed tofu served over hot fluffy rice, chewy noodles, or even added to a wrap or lettuce cups for a quick and easy lunch on-the-go.
Serve with a crisp cucumber salad, garlicky broccoli or your favorite roasted vegetables for a boost of freshness!
Recipe FAQs
Pressing tofu is highly recommended. The only time you can skip this step is if you’re using vacuum-sealed super firm tofu, which is already very dry. If you’re using any kind of extra-firm tofu, pressing is a must for the best texture.
This crispy tofu recipe is already naturally low in oil, but if you’d like to make it a completely oil-free recipe, omit the neutral cooking oil and pan fry in a dry, nonstick skillet.
The tofu will be drier and can have a slightly chalky texture, but it will still be flavorful.
Great question! Simply swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari and this recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Storage Instructions
As with all of our crispy tofu recipes, this Maple Glazed Tofu is best enjoyed while fresh.
Over time, it will lose its crispiness, but leftovers will keep for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer to bring some of that crispiness back!
More Vegan Tofu Recipes You May Enjoy:
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos!
Print
Maple Glazed Tofu Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Maple Glazed Tofu is made with just 8 simple ingredients and is easy to throw together with minimal prep and a few dishes. Serve with rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies for a flavorful, fuss-free dinner.
Ingredients
- 14 oz extra firm tofu, pressed and cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons oil (we use avocado)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Garnish: toasted sesame seeds and green onions
Instructions
- Prep the tofu. Press the tofu using a tofu press (or learn how to press tofu without a tofu press!) for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Pat dry, cut into 1″ cubes. Alternatively, you can slice the tofu into ½”-inch slabs, then cut each slab diagonally to form triangles.
- Toss in seasoning. In a large bowl, mix the cornstarch with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, then toss in the tofu until evenly coated.
- Pan fry until golden. Heat a neutral cooking oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy on all sides.
- Prepare the maple glaze. While the tofu is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, and vinegar. Set aside.
- Glaze it up. Once the tofu is golden, reduce the heat to low and pour the maple glaze over top. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes, or until the glaze thickens and evenly coats the tofu.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately while warm and crispy with sesame seeds and green onions, as desired.
Notes
- Gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari.
- Storage: As with all of our crispy tofu recipes, this is best enjoyed while fresh. Over time, it will lose its crispiness, but leftovers will keep for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: We recommend an air fryer to bring some of that crispiness back.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
