Posted Jul 11, 2016, Updated Jul 15, 2024 This crispy hoisin tofu is a quick and easy, high-protein meal that my entire family loves! Seriously, everyone from my meat-and-potatoes husband to my sweet baby girl, loves this crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, hoisin sauce-crusted tofu. Texture is everything to me which is why this tofu is one of my favorites. This tofu is perfectly crispy on all sides and crusted with the most delicious combination of spices and hoisin sauce. Serve it with your favorite stir-fried veggies and fried rice for a delicious dinner.
Crispy Hoisin Tofu: Ingredients & Substitutions
As always I recommend making this recipe exactly as written. But here are a few possible substitutions.
Extra Firm Tofu: Choose your preferred firmness, just don’t use silken tofu. Spices: you can adjust these to suit your tastes. Peanut Oil: If you do not have peanut oil or have a peanut allergy in your family, you can substitute another mild-flavored oil (olive, avocado, canola, etc.), or additional sesame oil. Hoisin Sauce: Check labels to make sure your hoisin sauce is gluten free if necessary.
How to Make Hoisin Tofu
Let’s walk through how to make crispy hoisin tofu, and don’t forget to watch the video. First, cut the tofu into ½” cubes. Then, combine the spices in a small bowl. Next, cook the tofu in a mixture of peanut & sesame oil until it’s golden brown on one side. Once the tofu is sufficiently browned on one side, add the seasonings and cook some more, stirring to ensure it is evenly browned. Then, add the hoisin sauce and cook until it’s nicely crusted and crunchy on the outside. The sauce caramelizes and leaves you with sweet and salty, richly flavored, crispy bites of tofu that you will love so much you won’t want to share.
How to Keep it Crispy
Before you begin cooking the tofu, turn set your oven on to warm. Once the crispy tofu has finished cooking, transfer it to an oven-safe dish and put in the oven while you cook up your veggies.
Serve
This tofu is best when served with your favorite Asian recipes like stir fry vegetables, vegetable lo mein, fried rice, etc. and noodles or rice. However, I recommend that you serve it separately (i.e. do not add it to the veggies you are stir-frying) to preserve the crispiness.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover tofu with hoisin sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop for the best texture and flavor. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
