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 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.
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.
Find the full printable recipe here: The Easiest Crispy Maple Glazed Tofu
