Go Back
chop sticks hold sweet and spicy sticky tofu with sesame placed on a wooden board

Sweet & Spicy Sticky Tofu

Diana Kostrov
This Sweet & Spicy Sticky Tofu is a bold, craveable mix of smoky-sweet heat and umami depth. It’s gluten-free, low-FODMAP, and baked — not fried — making it perfect for clean comfort food that actually feels good.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Share with WhatsApp
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine comfort food
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Non-stick frying pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking tray - lined with parchment paper

Ingredients
 

First Coating
  • 400 g tofu
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 4 tbsp red lentil flour or cornstarch
  • Black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
Second Coating (Sauce)
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari, make sure GF if needed)
  • 1 tbsp liquid smoke
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tbsp gochujang
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • Black pepper
Toppings
  • Sesame seeds (black or white)
  • Green part of scallion (chives, parsley, or cilantro)

Instructions
 

  • Prep the tofu – Preheat oven to 180°C (fan). Remove excess moisture from tofu: press with a towel and weight for 20–30 min / boil in salted water for 10 min / freeze-thaw and squeeze.
  • Season and coat – Cut tofu into ~2×2 cm (0.8×0.8 inches) cubes. Toss with salt, paprika, turmeric, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, toss again, then add lentil flour or cornstarch to coat.
  • Bake until golden – Arrange on parchment-lined tray and bake for ~20 minutes, until crispy and golden.
  • Make the sauce – Off heat, combine all sauce ingredients in a wide pan. Stir, then heat on low-medium until glossy and syrupy. Simmer until small, slow bubbles form and the sauce sticks to a spoon.
  • Coat the tofu – Add baked tofu to the pan, toss to coat evenly, and reduce heat if needed to avoid burning.
  • Finish and serve – Sprinkle sesame seeds and herbs. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or stuffed into wraps.

Notes

  1. Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  2. Nut-Free: 100% nut-free (sesame is a seed).
  3. Storage: Keeps 3 days refrigerated. Reheat in a pan for best texture.
  4. Flavor Twist: Add lime juice or chili flakes for extra brightness.