Irresistible sweet and sour tofu that’s better than takeout! The pineapple adds the perfect hint of sweetness, tanginess, umami, and extra flavor. Pair this easy tofu dish with rice and your favorite veggie! Great for meal prep, potlucks, and family dinners.

sweet and sour tofu on a pan with vegetables and pineapple.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This tofu recipe will take your tastebuds to a different galaxy! Here is what to expect from the flavor profile of this sweet and sour tofu:

Sweetness and Tartness: The dish features a harmonious blend of sweetness from ingredients like sugar, and pineapple juice, and tartness from lemon or vinegar. This balance of flavors creates an amazing taste experience that is both refreshing and satisfying.
Savory Notes: Soy sauce and garlic add depth and umami to the dish, complementing the sweet and sour elements. The nutritional yeast added to the tofu also adds umami and meaty flavor. It also helps the tofu get a golden crispiness.
Textural contrast: the tofu is typically baked or air-fried until crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. This contrast in textures enhances the eating experience.
Crunchy Vegetables: Bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and sometimes carrots are commonly used in the dish, adding a crunchy texture that pairs well with the tofu.

sweet and sour tofu on a plate with rice.

Highlights of Sweet and Sour Tofu

This sweet and sour tofu in pineapple sauce is savory, sweet, tangy, and a bit spicy! It reminds me of tropical weather and pairs well with a side of iced coconut water. I’ve always loved a great sweet and savory tofu but adding a tropical twist is genius. Make this for a loved one and watch them fall in love with this dish!

Easy to make
Super flavorful
Meal-prep friendly
High protein
Gluten-free option
100% vegan

How to get crispy tofu

Freeze packaged tofu and fully defrost before cooking. This texture is unreal and pretty similar to chicken. Make sure to press your tofu after defrosting or buy high-protein tofu. Trader Joe’s has a great high-protein tofu for $2.50. You can press your tofu after it has defrosted fully to make sure you get all excess liquid out.
Air-fried tofu is the best tofu! Air fry at 390 F for 16-22 minutes (depending on how crispy you like it). Flip/mix every 7-8 minutes to cook evenly. Don’t have an air-fryer? You can also bake at 400 for 22-25 minutes flipping every 7-8 minutes for best results.
PRO TIP: If you’re baking it use a silicone mat! This will help you achieve an ultimate level of crispiness that you can normally only get using an air fryer. I have linked the one I have.
Instead of slicing your tofu into cubes, use your hands to break it apart into little tofu nuggets like the photos below. It creates more surface area and crevices to trap the sweet and sour sauce for a more flavorful and saucy bite!

Key Ingredients & Substitutes:

Pineapple – canned, frozen, or fresh
Pineapple juice
Soy sauce or Tamari for gluten-free options
Sriracha – optional for extra heat/spice
Maple syrup – sugar, or brown sugar
Corn starch – or flour to help thicken the sauce.
Extra firm or high-protein tofu – I get mine at Trader Joe’s (see below)
Nutritional Yeast – adds flavor and breaded-like texture

Tips for best results

Taste your pineapple and see how sweet it is. Adjust the amount of maple syrup/sugar depending on how sweet your pineapple is. You can always adjust the sweetness after the sauce is made as well.
Don’t have lemons? No problem! Try apple cider vinegar instead.
¼ cup of sriracha seems like a lot, but it depends on your spice tolerance. You can also adjust this at the end or wait until the end to add to taste.
Gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Add an extratropical vibe by adding cashews into the mix. They also add texture and make it extra delicious! Add them at the very end when mixing the tofu into the sauce.

FAQ:

How do I store this sweet and sour tofu?

Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.

Can I use canned or frozen pineapple?

Yes! I usually use canned as I use the pineapple juice as well.

Other Delicious Tofu Recipes:

Sweet Ginger Tofu

Vegan Orange Chicken (Tofu)

Peanut Sauce Tofu

Crispy Breaded Tofu