Soy-Garlic Fried Tofu with Toasted Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Pan-fried tofu cubes in a soy-garlic glaze topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for an easy plant-based Asian fusion dish. This Asian Fusion-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs extra firm tofu, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz (1 block) extra firm tofu
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
2 tbsp chopped scallions

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Instructions

Step 1: Drain and press 14 oz extra firm tofu for 20 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss tofu cubes gently in 1/4 cup cornstarch until evenly coated.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy; transfer to a plate.
Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp toasted sesame oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and becomes fragrant.
Step 4: Return tofu to skillet and toss to coat evenly with the soy-garlic sauce.
Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped scallions over the tofu before serving.