Harissa Tofu

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Harissa Tofu is fun way to add some spice to your life. Whether you use a mild or spicy harissa sauce, this easy dinner recipe will be ready in 15-20 minutes. Pair it with some noodles or rice and veggies and you'll have an amazing high protein meal!

Hey Internet, we've got another amazing idea for your block of tofu. As you know we LOVE tofu. We even have a huge compilation of our best tofu recipes! Our most recent favorites include our Hoisin Tofu, Salt and Pepper Tofu, Tofu Meatballs, Sticky Tofu, Tofu Adobo, and Spicy Tofu.

Speaking of spicy tofu, this easy harissa tofu recipe will be sure to spice up your life. And you can make it spicy or non according to your preference.

Harissa is a paste that is made from two types of chilis, garlic, cumin, caraway seeds, and olive oil. Harissa comes from north Africa, mainly from the country of Morocco. The spice level can be intense, but luckily there's mild pastes out there if you're not keen on spicy food. 

You can also find Harissa seasoning which is also delicious, but this recipe calls for the paste. If all you can find is the seasoning, you can always mix it with a little olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, a pinch of salt, and whatever else you like.

This isn't the first time we've worked with Harissa paste. Our Tofu Dip uses it to get that extra kick. It's great for parties or for snacking. 

After how great that recipe turned out, we had to try making harissa tofu bowls. Using our Crispy Tofu as a starting point, we added some more smoky spices to pair well with the spiciness of the chili paste. The resulting crispy harissa tofu is so good served with rice and veggies. 

If you need an exciting recipe that doesn't take much time to make, you've come to the right article. This sticky harissa tofu is completely delicious and we know you'll love it.

Why You'll Love This Tofu Recipe

• Awesome Flavors: Whether you make it spicy or mild, these middle eastern flavors create an absolutely tasty meal!
• Easy Meals: Cover your tofu pieces in our breading and make your sauce and you'll have this recipe in no time.
• High Protein: With over 17 grams of protein per serving, you'll be feeling nice and full after this amazing meal. You can also either serve this with protein noodles (our favorite for this type of recipe would be this edamame pasta) or something like quinoa. You could also just change the serving size to fit your macros! For more veggies, serve with cauliflower rice!

Ingredients

Pick up these simple ingredients the next time you're at your local grocery store. See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredients, instructions, and accurate nutrition information (to the best of my ability; please consult your physician or healthcare professional if you have specific dietary needs or need to meet a certain daily value of any nutrient). I give substitutions for the ingredients in the section below this one, so most people can still make this recipe!

For the Tofu

• 1 Block Super Firm Tofu, Cubed: I’m talking about the kind in the vacuum-sealed plastic, not a tub full of water. If you only have firm or extra firm tofu (that comes in water), you can still make this deliciousness. Drain all the water from the package and then use a tofu press or two plates or cutting boards, paper towels, and a heavy weight to press the tofu for 20-30 minutes. Otherwise the tofu may turn out soggy.
• 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil (or Other High Heat Oil), Optional: Use a little broth or water instead of oil if needed, but use only a teaspoon or so.
• 2 Tablespoons Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce (use gluten-free tamari if needed)
• ¼ Cup Nutritional Yeast (or Substitute Breadcrumbs)
• ¼ Cup Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 0.75 Teaspoon Sea Salt, Optional
• 0.5  Teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

For the Sauce

• 3 Tablespoons Harissa Paste: Choose mild or spicy depending on your tastes.
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder 
• 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder 
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin
• ½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika 
• ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or Harissa Powder
• ¼ Teaspoon Salt
• Pepper to Taste 
• 1 - 2 tablespoons Water: Use this to loosen up the sauce as need.

Toppings

• Sesame Seeds
• Green Onions

Substitutions

• Tofu: There are tofus out there that are made from different beans! Chickpea based tofus can be found in some stores if you want to avoid soy.
• Harissa Paste: While it wouldn't be a harissa mixture, you can use a red pepper sauce or other hot sauce in place of it. If you want even milder, switch to tomato paste.
• Avocado Oil: Another neutral oil will work just as well. Grape seed oil is a great pick.
• Nutritional Yeast: Store-bought bread crumbs can be used in place of the nutritional yeast for a different texture. Add it to the mixing bag just like with the yeast.

How to Make Harissa Tofu

1. Cube the Tofu: Unwrap the tofu, blot excess water with a clean kitchen towel, and slice into medium cubes. We like to slice the tofu block in half height-wise and then cube the two halves.
2. Bag the Dry Ingredients: In a resealable bag, add all the dry ingredients for breading the tofu.
3. Cover the Tofu: In a medium bowl, add the soy sauce and oil. Add the tofu into the bowl and gently mix until covered. Take cubes the cubes out, lightly shake them and then add them to a bag of the dry ingredients. Shake until covered. 
4. Air Fryer Instructions: Add breaded tofu cubes to your air fryer in a single layer. Set it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 205 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes and shake the basket halfway through. Check the crispness. If you desire the tofu to be more crispy, cook for longer or you can give it a misting of avocado (or other) oil if you like and then cook it for a few more minutes. 20-22 minutes usually works perfectly for me.
5. Oven Instructions:  Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius) while you prep your tofu. Place breaded tofu cubes on a baking sheet lined either with a silicone baking mat (I find this gets the tofu crisper) or parchment paper. Bake tofu for 25-30 minutes, flipping the tofu and rotating the pan halfway through. 
6. Make the Harissa Sauce: Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup.
7. Mix Together: Take the air fryer or baked tofu and mix it with the sauce in a large bowl.
8. Serve: Add your tofu to a bowl of rice or other grain bowls and enjoy! Farro or quinoa would be lovely and increase the protein.

Storage Instructions

Add the remain tofu to an airtight container and store in a refrigerator. It should last about 4-5 days. Reheat in a microwave or air fryer.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Vegan Recipes

• Crispy Tofu
• Tofu Meatballs
• Vegan Garlic Noodles
• Bang Bang Tofu
• Vegan Garlic Bread
• Hoisin Tofu
• Vegan Stuffed Shells

Looking for more ways to use tofu? Check out our big list of vegan tofu recipes!

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