This Maple Glazed Tofu recipe is sweet, savory, spicy, and a delicious plant-based protein for a flavorful vegan meal!
Maple-glazed tofu can be pan-seared or baked in the oven for a healthier option, and this easy vegan recipe is also gluten-free. It makes a wonderful meatless meal for lunch or busy weeknights, but can also be a beautiful dinner for a date night.
Maple glazed tofu is super yummy served with rice, noodles, veggies, tossed into Salads, or used to make Lettuce Wraps. I served my tofu over cauliflower rice with baby bok choy leaves for a healthy, low-carb, and grain-free meal… and I loved it! The cauliflower rice soaked up the extra maple glaze, making it incredibly flavorful! I also added some avocado to add creaminess and balance the heat. Yum! While I enjoy spicy maple-glazed tofu, you can easily omit or use less crushed red pepper if you are sensitive to spice.
The homemade maple glaze tastes amazing, is very versatile, and the flavors pair well with so many things, not just Asian cuisine. I have a few more ideas for you to try below. I hope you enjoy the maple-glazed tofu!
What to Serve with Maple Glazed Tofu
Here are some ideas for what to serve with maple glazed tofu…
- Asian Slaw
- Asparagus
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Coconut Rice
- Garlic Sesame Broccoli
- Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Roasted Vegetable Stir Fry
- Vegan Pad Thai
- Vegetable Lo Mein
Want another soy or tofu recipe? You may enjoy this Easy Baked Tofu, Garlic Roasted Edamame, Tofu Tzatziki, or Chipotle Tofu Sofritas. If you enjoy seafood, try this Sesame Glazed Salmon. Love the flavor of maple? Try these Maple Bourbon Pecans, one of my personal favorites!
Maple Glazed Tofu Recipe Ingredients
The maple-glazed tofu recipe ingredients are mostly the yummy maple glaze ingredients, which give the tofu its yummy flavor. It can also be made spicy maple glazed tofu or non-spicy, depending on your preference.
- tofu: I used a block of organic extra-firm tofu. I would not use anything less than extra-firm tofu with this recipe. Draining and pressing as much liquid out of the tofu as possible produces the best result.
- chives: sliced chives or scallions as garnish.
- maple glaze: Ingredients are listed below.
Maple Glaze Ingredients
These maple glaze recipe ingredients can easily be adjusted to taste.
- maple syrup: I use 100% pure organic maple syrup.
- tamari: I use low-sodium gluten-free tamari, but you can use soy sauce as a substitute.
- unseasoned rice vinegar
- avocado oil: Avocado oil works best since it has a high smoke point, but you can also use sesame oil for a richer flavor, or olive oil as a substitute.
- garlic: minced garlic
- ginger: minced ginger.
- sesame seeds: white, black, or a mix.
- crushed red pepper flakes: This adds a little heat. You can easily omit or use less if you do not like spicy food. If you like spicy food, feel free to use more.
- coriander: ground coriander powder is warm, spicy, and nutty with a hint of citrus.
How to Make Maple Glazed Tofu
This maple glazed tofu recipe can be baked in the oven or pan-seared. Both cooking methods are listed below. The baking method is healthier since it requires less oil, but the pan-seared tofu is crispier. The choice is yours.
To make the maple-glazed tofu, first, drain the tofu, then slice the block of tofu lengthwise into even rows that are about 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick. Layer 3 paper towels on a flat surface and place the tofu slabs on top of the paper towels. Lay another 2 – 3 paper towels on top of the tofu. Place a heavy plate or cutting board on top of the towels. Gently but firmly press the tofu to drain the excess liquid. Continue until you have removed as much liquid as possible. Once drained, I slice each piece once diagonally to create 2 even triangles, but you can also cut them into squares.
Next, make the maple glaze. See below.
Maple Glaze
Add the maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and coriander to a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
Gently place the tofu into a larger container or bowl, then pour half of the maple glaze over the tofu, reserving the second half of the maple glaze. Allow the tofu to soak for 15 minutes, then select your cooking method below.
Once the tofu is cooked to your liking, add the reserved half of the glaze to a small pan over low heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it begins to reduce and thicken, being careful not to burn, then turn off the heat.
Pan-Seared Maple Glazed Tofu
To make pan-seared maple-glazed tofu, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Carefully add the tofu to the pan and cook until crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.
Baked Maple Tofu
To make baked maple tofu, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Transfer the prepared tofu to the lined baking sheet in a single layer, not crowding. Place onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and flip each piece of tofu over with a spatula, then return it to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the tofu is cooked to your liking.
Brush the tofu with the reduced maple glaze to coat, then drizzle the remaining glaze over the tofu. Garnish with chives, extra sesame seeds, and extra crushed red pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Maple Glazed Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 - 16 ounces tofu (see notes)
- chives sliced chives or scallions as garnish.
Maple Glaze
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup pure maple syrup.
- 3 tablespoons tamari (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or sesame oil, plus extra if you are using the pan-seared cooking method.
- 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds white, black, or a mix, plus extra for garnish if desired.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (see notes)
Instructions
- This maple glazed tofu recipe can be baked in the oven or pan-seared. Both cooking methods are listed below. The baking method is healthier since it requires less oil, but the pan-seared tofu is crispier. The choice is yours.
- First, drain the tofu, then slice the block of tofu lengthwise into even rows that are about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick. Layer 3 paper towels on a flat surface and place the tofu slabs on top of the paper towels. Lay another 2 – 3 paper towels on top of the tofu. Place a heavy plate or cutting board on top of the towels. Gently but firmly press the tofu to drain the excess liquid. Continue until you have removed as much liquid as possible. Once drained, I slice each piece once diagonally to create 2 even triangles, but you can also cut them into squares.
- Next, make the maple glaze. See below.
- Gently place the tofu into a larger container or bowl, then pour half of the maple glaze over the tofu, reserving the second half of the maple glaze. Allow the tofu to soak for 15 minutes, then select your cooking method below.
- Once the tofu is cooked to your liking, add the reserved half of the glaze to a small pan over low heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it begins to reduce and thicken, being careful not to burn, then turn off the heat.
- Brush the tofu with the reduced maple glaze to coat, then drizzle the remaining glaze over the tofu. Garnish with chives, extra sesame seeds, and extra crushed red pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Maple Glaze
- Add the maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and coriander to a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
Pan-Seared Tofu
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Carefully add the tofu to the pan and cook until crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.
Baked Maple Glazed Tofu
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Transfer the prepared tofu to the lined baking sheet in a single layer, not crowding. Place onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and flip each piece of tofu over with a spatula, then return it to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the tofu is cooked to your liking.
Notes
- Tofu: I used a block of organic extra-firm tofu. I would not use anything less than extra-firm tofu with this recipe. Draining and pressing as much liquid out of the tofu as possible produces the best result.
- Tamari: I use low-sodium gluten-free tamari, but you can use soy sauce as a substitute.
Spicy Maple Glazed Tofu
I make spicy maple glazed tofu by adding extra crushed red pepper flakes as garnish. The red pepper adds the heat, but you can easily omit or use less if you do not like spicy food. If you like spicy food, do a taste test and add more if desired.Did you make this recipe?
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