Crispy Sesame Tofu
Thick tofu slabs pan-fried until beautifully golden and crisp on the outside, tender and silky within, then brushed generously with a glossy sweet-savoury soy-ginger glaze and coated all over with plump toasted white sesame seeds. Crunchy, sticky, sweet-savoury, and nutty — every bite hits the perfect balance of flavours and textures. Completely plant-based, dairy-free, and egg-free — a favourite that tastes every bit as good as it looks!
Shared by yuki
Time
40 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
🛒 Ingredients
- #Tofu & Coating;
- 400 g firm or extra-firm tofu — pressed well to remove water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch
- 3–4 tbsp white sesame seeds — toasted.. 2 tbsp neutral oil — for pan-frying
- #Sticky Soy-Ginger Glaze;
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce.. 1 tbsp dark soy sauce.. 2 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar.. 1 tsp grated fresh ginger.. 1 garlic clove — minced
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil.. 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water — slurry.. 2 tbsp water
- #Garnish;
- Fresh cilantro or scallion — chopped
- Chilli sauce (optional, for dipping)
👩🍳 Instructions
- 1
Press & prep tofu: Wrap tofu block in a clean kitchen towel, place a light weight on top, and press for 15 minutes to release excess water. Cut into thick slabs or rectangular slices approx. 1.5–2 cm thick. Pat very dry with paper towels — crispiness starts here!
- 2
Coat lightly: Dust tofu slices all over with cornstarch, shaking off any excess. This creates the perfect golden crust that holds the glaze beautifully.
- 3
Make the glaze: Combine light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and water in a small pan. Simmer 2 minutes. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thick, smooth, and glossy. Set aside.
- 4
Pan-fry to golden crispness: Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add tofu slices — cook 3–4 minutes per side until deeply golden and crisp all over. Lower heat if browning too fast.
- 5
Glaze & sesame: Brush warm tofu generously on all sides with the glaze. Immediately press and roll in toasted sesame seeds so they stick firmly to the sticky surface.
- 6
Serve: Arrange on a platter, garnish with fresh cilantro or scallion. Enjoy hot — plain or with extra glaze or chilli sauce for dipping!