This Honey Gochujang Tofu is simple, flavorful, and packed with plant-powered protein. With just a few easy steps, you’ll transform a simple block of tofu into something divine!

First, we blanch the tofu in salted water.
Our cubed tofu starts by taking a quick dip in salted boiling water. This gives the tofu a bouncy texture and seasons it from the inside out.

Next, we toss it in cornstarch and pop it in the air fryer.
Next, the tofu gets a light dusting of cornstarch before heading into the air fryer. The combination of cornstarch and convection creates a perfectly crisp outer layer while keeping the inside tender.

And finally, the best part—the sauce.
Once the tofu’s crisp, it gets tossed in a sticky honey gochujang glaze and sent back into the air fryer one more time. This quick second fry helps the sauce thicken and cling to each piece, creating that glossy, caramelized finish you’ll want to eat straight off the tray.

Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

Tofu

2 block firm tofu

2 tbsp salt

Honey Gochujang Sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp gochujang

1 tbsp water

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 tsp freshly grated ginger

2 green onions, finely chopped, whites separated from the greens

Directions:

  1. Blanch the tofu: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cube the tofu and carefully add it to the water. Boil for 1 minute, then drain and place on a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat dry.
  2. Prep for air frying: In a large mixing bowl, toss the tofu with half of the soy sauce until mostly absorbed. Then, add the cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.
  3. Air fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Air fry the tofu at 400°F for 6–8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
  4. Make the sauce: Whisk together the remaining soy sauce, honey, gochujang, water, garlic, ginger, and the whites of the green onions.
  5. Sauce + final fry: Toss the tofu in the sauce and return it to the air fryer for 2 more minutes, or until the sauce is sticky and glossy.
  6. Serve: Garnish with the green parts of the onions and enjoy immediately.
Honey Gochujang Tofu

Honey Gochujang Tofu

Yield: 4

Ingredients

Tofu

  • 2 block firm tofu
  • 2 tbsp salt

Honey Gochujang Sauce

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp gochujang
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped, whites separated from the greens

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cube the tofu, and add to the boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, strain, and place on a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat dry.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the tofu with half of the soy sauce, and toss until it’s mostly absorbed. Once absorbed, add the cornstarch, and toss until evenly coated. 
  3. Spray an air fryer basket lightly with oil, and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown, and crispy on the edges. 
  4. Whisk together the remaining soy sauce, honey, gochujang, water, garlic, ginger, and the whites of the green onion. Return to the air fryer, and air fry for 2 additional minutes, or until the sauce is sticky. 
  5. Serve, and garnish with the greens of the onions, and enjoy.
© Maddie Augustin