Firecracker Tofu

5 from 7 votes

This Firecracker Tofu is coated in a flavorful sweet, spicy, and tangy Firecracker sauce. This tastes like take-out, but made right in your own kitchen!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Lunch/Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Diet:

Servings:

Calories: 206kcal

Author: Allie Petersen

Ingredients

14 oz extra firm tofu drained and pressed for 20 minutes
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2-3 tbsp neutral oil
1/4 cup buffalo sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder optional
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings

diced green onion
sesame seeds

Instructions

Prep tofu: Pat your pressed tofu dry with a paper towel or dish cloth. Cut into 1-1.5 inch cubes.
14 oz extra firm tofu
Coat in cornstarch: In a bowl or a large gallon size plastic bag, add your tofu cubes with the cornstarch and salt and gently toss until combined.
2 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt
Pan-Fry: In a medium-large non-stick pan, warm some oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your tofu cubes and pan-fry until golden brown on each side. (This takes about 8-10 minutes).
*For an oil-free recipe using the air-fryer, see below in the notes section.
2-3 tbsp neutral oil
Whisk sauce: While your tofu cooks, whisk up your sauce ingredients in a small microwavable bowl.
Tip: I recommend microwaving your sauce for 30 seconds to help the brown sugar dissolve better!
1/4 cup buffalo sauce, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add sauce: Turn down your stove to low heat. Add your sauce to your tofu and gently toss until combined. Warm for a few minutes so the sauce can caramelize on the tofu.
Serve: Enjoy right away with rice and veggies. Top with diced green onion and/or sesame seeds for a pretty garnish.

Notes

Air fryer option:

If you prefer to not use oil, you can air fry your tofu cubes.

Simply disperse your tofu cubes as evenly as possible in your air fryer. Air fry at 400 F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until tofu is lightly golden and crisp on the outside. (Don't overcook - they can become hard as a rock!)

After, add your tofu to a large pan with the sauce and warm over low heat until the sauce thickens and caramelizes over the air-fried tofu.

What is the purpose of cornstarch? The cornstarch helps the sauce adhere to the tofu better and also create that crispy texture. It is not a necessary ingredient, however, so you can omit if you don't like cornstarch.

Nutrition