Let’s talk tofu—the unsung hero of plant-based protein. If you’ve ever felt like tofu was bland or tricky to cook, this recipe will flip your opinion in one crispy, sticky, flavor-packed bite and it will answer the question "How do I make tofu taste good?!". These Sticky Sesame Ginger Garlic Tofu Fries are golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed in an irresistibly sweet, salty, and gingery glaze. You know how much I love tofu (I created a whole FREE course with all my favorite recipes just to share my love of tofu with you), but I must say I'm so sad I created this recipe after the course was finished, because if I could recommend an easy (yet irresistible) tofu recipe for newbies it would be this one. So here it is! One easy tofu recipe to rule them all. 

Ready in minutes (with optional pressing of the tofu done beforehand for maximum crispness), these tofu fries are perfect as a snack, party appetizer, or a protein-packed topping for buddha bowls, sushi bowls, veggie bowls or veggie wraps. They’re beginner-friendly, customizable, and super satisfying—what more could you want?

PRO TIP! I recommend making these right before serving them, adding the glaze at the very last moment to retain as much crispness as possible. 

If you’re new to cooking tofu (or want to seriously level up your skills), don’t miss our FREE tofu cooking course done 100% online. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to make tofu taste amazing, including tofu cooking techniques, tips, recipes and more all on video. 

Why You’ll Love These Sticky Tofu Fries

✔ High in healthy plant-based protein
✔ Crispy, sticky, and ultra flavorful
✔ Beginner-friendly & comes together fast
✔ Perfect for bowls, wraps, noodles, or snacking
✔ Naturally vegan, gluten-free option available (just use tamari soy sauce and substitute the sweet soy sauce for a drizzle of maple syrup)

How to Make Sticky Sesame Ginger Garlic Tofu Fries

Step 1: Prep and Cut the Tofu

• Press your tofu for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, this step is optional if using super firm tofu that is really firm to the touch and doesn't have a lot of water content, but it's recommended for firm and extra firm tofu for maximum crispness.

• Slice into triangular fry-shaped sticks— (the triangle tip gets so crispy it's irresistible, but you can also cut the tofu into any shape you like).

Step 2: Make the Sticky Sauce or Glaze

• In a small pot or pan, combine the glaze ingredients and whisk.

• Bring to a simmer and cook for about a minute until the glaze thickens

• Then whisk in a drizzle of sesame oil for flavor
  
  

Step 2: Coat the Tofu in Cornstarch and Sauté

• Toss your tofu sticks with cornstarch in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.

• Add some oil to a pan and cook the tofu fries until golden and crispy.
  
  

Step 4: Toss with the Glaze and Serve

• Toss the hot tofu fries in the glaze until coated.

• Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions or chives for an extra flavor boost.

• Serve immediately while hot and crispy!
  
  

How to Serve Tofu Fries (Beyond Just Snacking!)

🥗 Add to grain bowls – Toss them on top of rice, quinoa, or noodles with veggies and your favorite sauce.

🌯 Wrap ‘em up – Great inside lettuce wraps, rice paper rolls, or collard green wraps.

🍣 Bowl topper – Use in sushi bowls with avocado, cucumber, and pickled veggies.

🍜 Ramen upgrade – Toss a few on your next bowl of noodles for a crunchy protein hit.

How to press tofu

I love using a Tofu Press, and here's my favorite by Tofuture.

Don't have a tofu press? No problem! Place your block of tofu over a colander, or a folded up, very clean kitchen towel, place a cutting board on top and some heavy things like books or a filled up kettle.

Press for 30 minutes or whatever amount of time you have.

Storage Tips

• Best enjoyed right after making these, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back a bit of that crispy edge.
  
  

Pro Tips for Crispy, Sticky Tofu Perfection

✔ Press your tofu – This helps it crisp up beautifully.

✔ Cut evenly – Uniform sticks = even cooking and better texture.

✔ Don’t skip the cornstarch – That’s your secret weapon for golden edges and perfect crisp.

✔ Serve immediately – They’re crispiest right after tossing in the sauce.

Want to Make this Tofu Recipe Gluten Free?

Just substitute the soy sauce for tamari soy sauce, and skip the sweet soy sauce, adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of maple syrup to add a bit of sweetness to the recipe.

Want to Learn More Easy, Delicious Tofu Recipes?

Tofu is one of the most versatile vegan ingredients—but it gets a bad rep when cooked the wrong way. That’s why we created our FREE tofu cooking course, designed to help you master tofu in all its forms—from crispy bites to creamy sauces, desserts and more.

👉 Join our FREE tofu cooking course and explore tofu in all its glory.

And if you want to go even deeper, join our online vegan cooking school, where you’ll get expert-led lessons to help you cook confidently and creatively with plant-based ingredients.

FAQs

What can I use instead of cornstarch?
Arrowroot or potato starch also works great for crisping up tofu.

Can I make this into other shapes?
Absolutely, the fries just give you great crispy edges and a wonderful texture but the same recipe can be used for any shape.

Can I skip the pressing of the tofu?

Yes, the result might be a bit less crispy, but this step is optional if using a super firm tofu that is already very firm and doesn't have a lot of water content. 

Are you ready? Enjoy the video, printable and recipe below and let's make some tofu fries!

PDF RECIPE

STICKY SESAME GINGER AND GARLIC TOFU FRIES

Yield: 2 servings | Pressing time: 30 minutes (you can skip this is your tofu is very very firm and has a low water content) | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 block firm or extra firm tofu, pressed to remove any excess liquid (you can omit pressing if your tofu is super firm and has very little water content)
• A couple of tablespoons of cornstarch to coat the pieces
• Oil for the pan
• Salt and pepper

For the glaze:

• A 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
• A squeeze of lemon or lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• A drizzle of sesame oil
• Sesame seeds and scallions or chives for garnish

Directions

1. Press the tofu for 30 minutes using a tofu press or by placing it over a clean kitchen towel under a cutting board with some heavy things on top.
2. In a small pot whisk together the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, lemon or lime juice, paprika, and cornstarch.
3. Heat the mixture on high and cook until thickened (it will take about 1 minute), then add the drizzle of sesame oil and whisk again. Set aside.
4. Cut the tofu into triangle shaped fries as seen in the video (or whatever shape you like).
5. Toss them in a large bowl with the cornstarch, some salt and pepper.
6. Fry the pieces up in a pan with a bit of olive oil until crispy and golden.
7. Coat the fries in the glaze and serve immediately topped with lots of sesame seeds, scallions or chives. Enjoy on their own or as the main vegan protein for any dish. Yum!

These Sticky Sesame Ginger Garlic Tofu Fries are proof that tofu can be downright addictive and still so easy to make. With crispy edges, a savory-sweet glaze, and endless ways to serve them, they’re a must-have in your vegan kitchen rotation and a kid friendly recipe as well.

Whether you’re looking for a plant-based high protein snack option, building the perfect bowl, or just looking for a delicious easy way to use up that block of tofu sitting in your fridge, this is the recipe to have on hand.

If you’re ready to unlock all the possibilities tofu has to offer, don’t forget to check out our FREE tofu course and then head on over to explore our online vegan cooking school!