This Easy Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry is a restaurant-style crispy tofu dish made using umami-flavoured baked tofu tossed in an umami-rich Asian stir fry sauce.
It is perfect for weeknight dinner and anytime you want something delicious, filling, and a protein-rich vegan meal.
If you are looking for easy tofu recipes, Asian vegan recipes, or fast 30-minute meals, try this easy tofu recipe with bold hoisin flavor, crunchy edges, and soft centers.
On griddle or grill reserve a lower-heat area. It gives you refinement space to finish without burning and to manage timing.
This crispy tofu dish has everything you want in a Chinese stir fry.
About Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry
Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry is a flavorful, budget-friendly tofu recipe made with baked tofu, sautéed vegetables, and a glossy hoisin sauce tofu glaze.
It’s sweet, spicy, and perfectly crisp, the kind of dinner you end up making all week.
Crispy hoisin tofu always feels special, even though it takes just minutes to prepare. The tofu is broken into small rustic pieces so the edges crisp beautifully in the oven.
A simple hoisin stir fry sauce wraps around each piece like caramel, glossy and full of umami. With garlic, onions, and bell peppers sizzling underneath, it turns into a sweet, spicy, comforting bowl that makes weeknight cooking feel effortless.
In this recipe, firm tofu is broken by hand for a crispy exterior, coated with a hoisin sauce mix for Asian flavors, and sprinkled with cornstarch for the perfect crunch.
I have baked this tofu in the oven, but I have also given pan-fried tofu variations on this page.
This easy recipe fits beautifully into many diets, making it ideal if you follow vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes, plant-based meals, or gluten-free meals. To keep it gluten-free, use gluten-free hoisin and soy sauce.
This crispy hoisin tofu starts with hand-broken pieces coated in a hoisin sauce mix that bake into crunchy, golden bites.
Then it is tossed in a quick mix of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and gochujang for that glossy, sticky glaze everyone loves.
And just like that, you have a simple 30-minute tofu stir fry dish that makes a perfect plant-based meal.
If you enjoy Asian stir fry sauce, sesame tofu stir fry, or crispy tofu, try this quick vegan stir fry with hoisin.
This easy recipe also works well as a sheet pan dinner, one-pot meal, or a weeknight favorite hoisin tofu bowl.
If you like this hoisin tofu stir fry, you may also enjoy my Soy Garlic Tofu, Tofu Bell Pepper Tacos, Zucchini Tofu Curry , and Asian Tacos.
Why You Will Love the Recipe
This Crispy Hoisin Tofu
✔ takes only 30 minutes to make
✔ has a crispy exterior without deep frying
✔ is a high-protein meal
✔ is perfect for plant-based meals
✔ is great for weeknight dinner
✔ is naturally dairy-free
✔ uses simple ingredients
✔ can also be air fried
✔ is vegan & gluten free
✔ is easily customizable
Ingredients
Tofu Stir Fry
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Firm tofu – For the best crunchy texture and crispy exterior, use firm tofu.
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Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is used for a strong garlicky flavor in every bite.
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Oil – A bit of oil is essential for cooking garlic and stir fry.
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Veggies – I used simple red onion, diced and petals separated for added sweetness, and diced red bell pepper for color and crunch.
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Rice flour or cornstarch – A bit of rice flour or cornstarch is the secret to making crispy tofu.
Sauce Mix
- For the hoisin sauce mix, you will need soy sauce for base seasoning, maple syrup to balance the umami flavors, hoisin sauce for hoisin flavor, rice vinegar to brighten the Asian stir fry sauce taste, oil to help the sauce coat the tofu, gochujang for heat and depth of flavors, and red pepper flakes for added heat.
For Garnishing
- I have used simple Asian garnishes like sesame seeds and chives. You can also use spring onion greens for garnishing this baked crispy tofu with hoisin sauce.
How to Make Hoisin Tofu
Making this budget-friendly tofu recipe is very easy and simple.
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Prepare the tofu by breaking it into uneven chunks for maximum texture. The rough edges crisp up better and hold more flavor from the sauce.
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Then make the sauce by whisking soy sauce, maple syrup, hoisin sauce, vinegar, oil, gochujang, and chili flakes until glossy.
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After that, lightly coat the tofu pieces with a few spoonfuls of the sauce and rice flour or cornstarch and toss gently to create the crispy exterior.
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Bake the tofu by spreading it on a sheet pan and baking at 200°C for 25–30 minutes. This makes the baked crispy tofu with hoisin sauce. If you don’t want to stir fry, you can eat them as if they were chicken popcorn with the hoisin sauce.
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If you want to go a step ahead, then stir fry the vegetables by sautéing garlic, red onion, and bell pepper for a simple vegetable stir fry base.
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Then pour in the remaining sauce, simmer briefly, and add your crispy tofu. Toss gently and you get a quick crispy tofu recipe with sticky hoisin glaze.
Variations
Air fryer
For the air fryer version, air fry tofu at 200°C for 12–15 minutes for extra crispiness.
Pan-fried tofu
For pan frying, use minimal oil and cook the tofu in a stovetop pan.
Sheet pan recipe
Bake the tofu and vegetables together and toss the hot tofu and veggies in hoisin sauce for a full sheet pan dinner.
Sesame tofu stir fry
Use sesame oil for stir frying the tofu and add sesame seeds along with the sauce for sautéing.
Spicy tofu recipe
If you prefer spicier tofu, increase gochujang or red pepper flakes. You can also add gochugaru to the sauce mix.
Serving Suggestions
This tofu stir fry tastes great as it is or when served with rice or noodles for a quick stir fry dinner.
You can also add it into Buddha bowls for a plant-based meal or pair it with steamed greens for lighter dinner recipes.
Leftovers can be used in wraps or rolls. You can also serve this crispy tofu with cooked quinoa for a high-protein meal.
Storage Suggestions
You can store leftovers for up to 3 days in the fridge. Store the sauce and tofu separately for meal prep.
Then simply reheat it in a pan or air fryer to keep the crispy edges and toss with the sauce right before serving to enjoy freshness and maximum crunch.
Tips and Tricks to make the Best Crispy Hoisin Tofu
1. Tofu: I broke tofu into uneven pieces. Breaking tofu gives better crispiness than cutting, but if you want you can also cut tofu into cubes.
2. Baking: When baking, make sure to leave space between tofu pieces to prevent steaming.
3. Resting: For a crispier coating, let baked tofu rest for a few minutes to firm the crispy coating.
4. Flavouring: Adjust gochujang and red chili flakes based on spice tolerance.
5. Crispy texture: I used rice flour for coating, but you can also use cornstarch for the crunchiest texture.
6. Veggies: I added onions and red bell peppers for an easy stir fry. You can also add other veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, and bok choy.
7. Gluten-free: To make sure it is gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and gluten-free hoisin.
Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry (Step-by-step photo instructions)
Prep Tofu
- Drain the tofu well. Using your hands, break the tofu into uneven bite-sized chunks instead of slicing. This helps the pieces hold more flavor and crisp up better. Keep them aside.
Make the Sauce Mix
- In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients. Mix until smooth.
Bake Tofu
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Add the tofu chunks to a large mixing bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce mix. Sprinkle rice flour or cornstarch and toss well to gently coat until every piece is evenly covered.
- Spread the tofu on the baking tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You can flip halfway, until crisp and golden.
Make Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add minced garlic, sauté 30 seconds. Then add onions and bell pepper. Cook until slightly softened.
- Then add the sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes.Add the baked crispy hoisin tofu and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives or spring onion greens. Enjoy it as it is or as a side with steamed rice or noodles.
Recipe Card
Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 4.9 from 5 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Sides | Asian | 3 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 386 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry
- 400 grams firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small red onion, diced and petals separated
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 tablespoons rice flour or cornstarch
For Hoisin Sauce Mix
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
For Garnishing
- Sesame seeds
- Chives or spring onion greens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Prep Tofu
- Drain the tofu well. Using your hands, break the tofu into uneven bite-sized chunks instead of slicing. This helps the pieces hold more flavor and crisp up better. Keep them aside.
Make the Sauce Mix
- In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients. Mix until smooth.
Bake Tofu
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Add the tofu chunks to a large mixing bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce mix. Sprinkle rice flour or cornstarch and toss well to gently coat until every piece is evenly covered.
- Spread the tofu on the baking tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You can flip halfway, until crisp and golden.
Make Crispy Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add minced garlic, sauté 30 seconds. Then add onions and bell pepper. Cook until slightly softened.
- Then add the sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes.Add the baked crispy hoisin tofu and toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives or spring onion greens. Enjoy it as it is or as a side with steamed rice or noodles.
Watch Full Recipe Video:
NOTES:
- I broke tofu into uneven pieces. Breaking tofu gives better crispiness than cutting, but if you want you can also cut tofu into cubes.
- When baking, make sure to leave space between tofu pieces to prevent steaming.
- You can also pan-fry or air fry the tofu for this recipe.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/hoisin-tofu-stir-fry/
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