If you love tofu, you’ve got to try my Crispy Honey-Garlic Tofu recipe! It’s deceptively easy to prepare, and everyone will be impressed with the sweet and spicy flavor. Serve this Asian-inspired, high-protein vegetarian meal with rice and veggies for a filling weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy.
I didn’t purposely plan two garlicky recipes back to back, but with flu season in full swing, it’s not a bad idea to load up on garlic right now! Honey and garlic are great for the immune system and go together well in this recipe. My Crispy Honey-Garlic Tofu is easy to make and perfect for a plant-based weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Honey-Garlic Tofu
It’s a great way to use tofu – If you think tofu is boring or are just looking for new ways to use it, you’ll love this crispy baked version. This is one of my favorite ways to cook tofu and the perfect vehicle for this sticky honey garlic sauce.
It’s easy to make – Between the homemade sauce and crispy baked tofu, it may look like there’s a lot going on in this recipe, but the truth is, both are super easy and don’t take much time, so don’t be intimidated!
It’s packed with protein – I love using tofu as a main protein in my vegetarian meals because it’s low in calories and carbs but high in protein. This honey-garlic tofu will fill you up and help build muscle.
Why Your Body Will Love This High-Protein Recipe
Cardiovascular Health – Garlic contains allicin, a sulfur-containing compound responsible for its pungent taste and smell. Allicin has vasodilatory effects, helping to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow inside the body. This can lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Protein – Tofu is a complete protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs to build muscle and repair tissues. Half a cup of tofu contains 10 grams of protein, making it a great plant-based ingredient to incorporate into your diet.
Immune System Support – Honey is known for its antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. These aid in boosting the immune system and help the body fight infections.
Crispy Honey-Garlic Tofu Recipe Ingredients
Tofu – I like to use super-firm, high-protein tofu from either Trader Joe’s or Sprouts. You only need to pat it dry; no pressing is needed. If you can’t find super-firm tofu, you can use extra-firm tofu and make sure to press it for about 15 minutes.
Batter – The batter is made using all-purpose flour, milk (plant-based), and spices. I like to add paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Panko – I like using panko to make the tofu extra crispy, but regular bread crumbs also work. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can also use crushed-up crackers.
Honey Garlic Sauce – The sauce is where it’s at! It’s sweet and savory, and full of honey and garlic. The other ingredients include water, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, chili garlic paste, and cornstarch.
How To Make Crispy Honey-Garlic Tofu
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside until ready to use.
Add the milk, flour, and spices to a large bowl. Whisk together until you have a thick batter. Add the tofu chunks to the bowl and gently mix until the tofu is completely coated in the batter.
Pour the panko over the tofu and carefully mix until the tofu is coated. The panko should stick pretty well to the tofu, but you can also use your fingers to press it on if any parts of the tofu lack batter.
Carefully dump the tofu onto the greased pan. Use your hands to spread it out, making sure it’s in a single layer and not stuck together.
Spray the top of the tofu with more cooking spray and place it in the oven. Bake the tofu until golden brown and crispy, 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Make the honey garlic sauce while the tofu is baking. Add all sauce ingredients to a medium bowl or jar and mix together well. Heat a large pan over medium heat and pour in the sauce. Cook the sauce, stirring regularly, until it’s thick and coats the back of a spoon, 3-5 minutes.
Add the crispy baked tofuto the saucepan and mix until the sauce completely coats the tofu. Turn the heat off and garnish with thinly sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve with veggies and rice or your choice of grain.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey? Absolutely! Just use the exact same amount.
Can I use a store-bought stir-fry sauce instead? Yes. Use your favorite kind and add however much you like.
Is this recipe gluten-free? No, I used regular flour and breadcrumbs, but it can easily be made gluten-free if you use GF flour and breadcrumbs.
Is the honey-garlic sauce vegan? No, honey is not a vegan ingredient, but it can easily be substituted with pure maple syrup or agave syrup. If making vegan, be sure to use plant-based milk in the batter.
Can these be made with cauliflower instead of tofu? Yes, I often substitute cauliflower florets in this recipe.
Can this tofu dish be reheated? If you want the tofu to stay crispy, I recommend reheating it in the oven rather than the microwave.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!
If you love tofu, you’ve got to try my Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu recipe! It’s deceptively easy to prepare and everyone will be impressed with the sweet and spicy flavor. Serve this Asian inspired high protein, vegetarian meal, with rice and veggies for a filling weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
1 (16 oz) package super firm, or extra firm tofu
1/3 cup plain plant based milk, or regular milk
1/3 cup all purpose flour, or gluten free all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Rice for serving
Honey Garlic Sauce
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup tamari, or soy sauce (I like to use low sodium)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1–2 teaspoons chili garlic paste, if you want some heat
2–3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F and spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside until ready to use.
Add the milk, flour, and spices to a large bowl. Whisk together until you have a thick batter. Add the tofu chunks to the bowl and gently mix until the tofu is completely coated in the batter.
Pour the panko over the tofu and carefully mix until the tofu is coated with panko. The panko should stick pretty well to the tofu, but you can also use your fingers to press it on if there are any parts of the tofu lacking in the batter.
Carefully dump the tofu onto the greased pan. Use your hands to spread out the tofu, making sure it’s in a single layer and not stuck together. Spray the top of the tofu with more cooking spray and place in the oven. Bake tofu golden brown and crispy, 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Make the honey garlic sauce while the tofu is baking. Add all sauce ingredients to a medium bowl, or jar, and mix together well. Heat a large pan over medium heat and pour in the sauce. Cook sauce, stirring regularly, until thickened and can coat the back of a spoon, 3-5 minutes.
Add in the crispy baked tofu into the pan with the sauce and mix together with the sauce, until tofu is completely coated. Turn the heat off and garnish with thinly sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve with veggies and rice, or grain of choice.
My dairy-free Green Goddess Dressing is easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor. The tahini base adds a nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice. Enjoy this vibrant homemade dressing on salads, pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and more.
Fresh herbs are one of my favorite things to grow in the garden each summer. They grow quickly and are usually easy to maintain. I love having them on hand to throw into salads, sandwiches, hummus, drinks, and more. This dairy-free Green Goddess Dressing has to be one of the best ways to use them! It’s packed with flavor and perfect for all your summer salad needs. Let me know in the comments if you try it!
Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Summer Dressing
Vibrant color – You’ll love the bright green color of this fresh Green Goddess dressing. It’s made with lots of fresh herbs, and I love that you can really tell that just by looking at it.
Flavorful – This tahini-based dressing is anything but boring. Each bite is packed with the flavors of fresh herbs, lemon juice, and garlic. It is also easy to customize based on your favorite herbs.
Versatile – My dairy-free green goddess dressing can be used in many ways. I like to have it on hand for summer salads, but it can also be used as a sandwich or wrap spread, a marinade for tofu or fish, and can even be tossed into pasta salad for a fresh and flavorful dressing.
Why Your Body Will Love This Healthy Salad Dressing
Fresh Herbs – Fresh herbs can help support the immune system in many ways. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help fight disease by combating harmful free radicals. Herbs like mint, parsley, and dill can also help stimulate the appetite and aid the digestive process.
Tahini – Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, perfect for dressings and sauce recipes. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Although tahini contains a small amount of saturated fat, most of its fats are polyunsaturated (omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated, which is great for overall health.
Green Goddess Dressing Recipe Ingredients
Tahini – I love using tahini in my salad dressings because it adds creaminess without adding any dairy. It’s a great base for this recipe and goes well with all of the fresh herbs.
Vinegar – I like to add a little bit of red wine vinegar to this recipe. It pairs well with lemon juice, adding a bit more depth of flavor.
Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice is a must in almost all of my salad dressings. It really brightens everything up, and I tend to always have them on hand.
Garlic – I prefer using fresh garlic for this recipe over store-bought minced garlic. You can add as much or as little garlic as you like. Granulated garlic can also be used, if you prefer.
Fresh Herbs – For my green goddess dressing recipe, I used a mixture of basil, parsley, mint, green onion, and dill. You can use any fresh herbs you like, though. Leave out the ones you don’t care for and add extra of the ones you enjoy.
How To Make Dairy-Free Green Goddess Dressing
Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Dressing should be light green in color. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, and add extra lemon juice or water if necessary to thin it out.
Green goddess dressing should be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Dressing is freshest if enjoyed within a week. Use this dressing on salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, and more.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is already both gluten-free and vegan.
Is this recipe spicy? No, mine was not spicy at all. If you want extra spice, I recommend adding in a few pickled jalapeños or some cayenne pepper.
Does this dressing require fresh herbs? Yes, I use only fresh herbs in this dressing recipe. You are welcome to experiment with dried herbs, but I haven’t done so yet. I will update the post when I do.
How should this green goddess dressing be used? It can be used in various ways, including on salads, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, vegetables, and more.
How long does this salad dressing last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 1 week.
Do all the herbs listed have to be used? No, I used all my favorite fresh herbs, but if there’s some that you don’t like or can’t get, feel free to substitute them with what you have.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!
My dairy free Green Goddess Dressing is easy to make, versatile and packed with so much flavor. The tahini base adds a nuttiness that goes so well with all of the fresh herbs, garlic and lemon juice. Enjoy this vibrant homemade dressing on salads, pasta, sandwiches, pizza and more.
Ingredients
1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon tamari, or soy sauce
1–2 cloves garlic
1 cup a mix of your favorite leafy fresh herbs*
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Dressing should be light green in color. Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed, and add extra lemon juice or water if you need to thin it out at all.
Green goddess dressing should be stored in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator. Dressing is freshest if enjoyed within a week. Use this dressing on salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and more.
Notes
*I used a mixture of parsley, dill, basil, green onion, and mint. You can use any kind of fresh herbs you like.
Prep Time: 20 mins
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