BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Crispy sweet and sour tofu with peppers and pineapple
Better-than-takeout Sweet and Sour Tofu

Sweet and Sour Tofu

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Main Courses
A Cantonese staple where the 'agrodolce' balance comes from the ratio of sugar to vinegar. Tofu isn't just protein here; it's texture. The cornstarch coating creates a crispy shell that grabs onto the glossy, thick glaze.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 380 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Asian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Wok or Deep Skillet
  • Small Bowl for Sauce
  • Paper Towels

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy

Instructions

1 ✓

Cube the tofu, pat dry, and toss in cornstarch. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Tip: The starch layer absorbs surface moisture and creates a super crunchy crust.
2 ✓

Whisk sauce ingredients: pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce.

Tip: Mix cold to ensure smooth thickening later.
3 ✓

In the wok, stir-fry the onion and peppers until crisp-tender. Add garlic at the last minute.

Tip: High heat stir-frying preserves the crunch and color of the vegetables.
4 ✓

Pour in the sauce and add pineapple. When bubbling, thicken with a little cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water).

Tip: Cornstarch gelatinizes above 150°F, thickening the sauce.
5 ✓

Toss the fried tofu into the sauce to coat and serve immediately over rice.

Tip: Serve instantly so the crust stays crunchy.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the coating get soggy?
You either tossed it in the sauce too early or the oil wasn't hot enough. Only toss tofu in the sauce right before serving!
Sauce is too thin.
Cornstarch thickens with heat. Let it bubble for another minute, or add a splash more cornstarch slurry.

Ingredients

  • 1 block (14 oz) Firm Tofu (pressed)
  • 2 large Bell Peppers (mixed colors)
  • 1 cup Pineapple Chunks (canned)
  • 1 large Onion (roughly chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 4 tbsp Cornstarch (divided)
  • 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 3/4 cup Pineapple Juice (from the can)
  • 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
  • 3 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 1 pinch Salt & Pepper
  • 1 cup Rice (for serving)