Crispy Sesame Tofu Fried Rice (Print version)

Golden crispy tofu meets savory sesame-ginger rice with colorful vegetables in this satisfying 40-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix, thawed
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
07 - 3 green onions, sliced with white and green parts separated
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

→ Rice

10 - 4 cups cold cooked jasmine or long grain rice, preferably day-old

→ Sauce

11 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste, optional
16 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

→ Garnish

17 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
18 - Reserved sliced green onion tops

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cut the pressed tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a bowl, toss tofu cubes with cornstarch and salt until evenly coated on all sides.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes in a single layer and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning until all sides are golden and crispy. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add a small amount of additional oil to the pan if needed. Sauté garlic, ginger, and the white parts of green onions for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced bell pepper and peas-carrot mixture. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
06 - Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps with your spatula. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until rice is heated through and beginning to crisp.
07 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, sriracha if using, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
08 - Pour sauce over the rice and toss thoroughly to coat evenly. Return crispy tofu to the pan and gently fold through.
09 - Remove from heat. Top with toasted sesame seeds and reserved green onion tops. Serve immediately while hot.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • Crispy tofu that actually tastes addictive, not like a forgotten piece of rubber.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than delivery, and costs a fraction of the price.
  • It transforms sad leftover rice into something so good your friends will ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Day-old rice is non-negotiable; fresh rice will turn into a gummy mess no matter how careful you are with heat and timing.
  • Don't skip pressing the tofu—I learned this the hard way after one soggy batch taught me that extra fifteen minutes makes all the difference.
  • Cold ingredients added to hot pan mean crispiness; warm tofu or rice will steam instead of fry.
03 -
  • Double-fry the tofu or use an air fryer for extra crunch that will make this dish completely irresistible.
  • Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking; fried rice moves fast and you won't have time to chop once the wok is hot.
Go back