Crispy Sticky Tofu Bowl
Looking for a tofu bowl that's crispy, sticky, packed with flavor, and filled with protein? This Easy Crispy Tofu Bowl combines the best textures and flavors: crispy tofu, cucumber salad, fluffy rice, and a sticky, sweet & savory sacue. Perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 622kcal
Ingredients
Crispy Tofu
- 2 Blocks Firm Tofu
- ¼ Cup Corn Starch
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
Sticky Sauce
- ¼ Cup Honey
- ½ Cup Tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Crisp
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic minced
Cucumber Salad
- 4 Baby Cucumbers or 1 large
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Tamari or gluten free soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Crisp
- ½ Tablespoon Garlic minced
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
Other Ingredients & Toppings
- 2 Cups Rice
- Green Onions
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Press 2 blocks of firm tofu on a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then cut or tear into bite-sized cubes. Toss tofu in a bowl with cornstarch and garlic powder for an ultra-crispy coating.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange tofu cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- While the tofu bakes, chop the cucumber. In a bowl, mix chopped cucumber, honey, tamari, chili crisp, and minced garlic. Combine 2 cups of rice with 4 cups of water, bring to a boil in a medium pot, then cover and simmer on low until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Whisk together honey, tamari, chili crisp, and minced garlic in a small bowl, then transfer to a saucepan. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Transfer baked tofu to the pan. Stir the tofu gently to coat every piece and let it simmer 2-3 minutes.
- Scoop cooked rice into bowls. Top with crispy sticky tofu, cucumber salad, green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don't Skip Pressing: This removes 30-40% of tofu's water content. Soggy tofu won't crisp no matter how high the heat.
- Put Space Between Cubes: Overcrowding creates steam, preventing browning. Use two baking sheets if needed.
- Simmer the Tofu: Let the tofu simmer in the sweet & savory sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavor fully.
- Broiler Boost: For extra-crispy edges, broil tofu for the final 2-3 minutes of baking. Watch carefully, it goes from perfect to burnt quickly.
Nutrition
Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 112g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 2713mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
