Sweet & Sour Tofu Stir Fry with Pineapple

By Michał Bednarz

Crispy tofu coated in a delicious pineapple sweet & sour sauce with a hint of heat. A perfect balance of flavors for a vibrant and satisfying stir-fry dish.

Sweet & Sour Tofu Stir Fry with Pineapple

The Story

This sweet and sour tofu is a dish full of aroma and layers of taste, where the sweet and sour flavor takes center stage, while chili adds just the right touch of heat. I love the variety of textures in this pineapple tofu stir fry – the softness of rice and tenderized nuts contrasts with the crunchiness of tofu and mung beans, making every bite a delightful experience.

Vegetables

You can add any vegetables you like – broccoli or bell peppers work wonderfully in this vegan stir fry with pineapple. The trick is to stir-fry them quickly over high heat so they stay slightly firm and get a lovely charred flavor. After adding garlic and ginger, don’t cook too long – just let the aroma bloom, then pour in the sauce. From this point, the dish practically finishes itself.

Tofu

For the perfect pineapple tofu, let the tofu cook on one side until golden and crispy. Only flip the tofu once this crispy crust has formed. Coating it with cornstarch gives it a delightful crust. Always add tofu to preheated oil so it doesn’t absorb too much. You can also bake it for a lighter version, but frying is faster and gives that irresistible crispiness. Keep the pieces reasonably large so the inside stays soft, creating a perfect contrast.

Garnish

Here’s where you can get creative. I like adding a little chives for color and texture. Mung bean sprouts are ideal in this tofu stir fry, as they add crunch without overpowering the flavor. A sprinkle of sesame seeds not only enhances the taste but also makes the dish look stunning.

Video

Sweet & Sour Tofu Stir Fry with Pineapple - Recipe Image

Sweet & Sour Tofu Stir Fry with Pineapple

Servings

Prep Time

Cook Time

Total Time

Difficulty

3

25 mins

25 mins

50 mins

Medium

Ingredients

Sauce

  • syrup from canned pineapple
  • 2tbspketchup
  • 3tbsprice vinegar
  • 2tbspsoy sauce
  • 1tbspsesame oil
  • 2tbspsugar
  • 0.5tspsalt
  • 1tspcornstarch
  • 2tbspwater

Tofu Coating

  • 500gtofu
  • 2tbspcornstarch
  • 0.5tspsalt
  • 0.5tspblack pepper

Main

  • 80gcashew nuts
  • 400gtofu
  • 3slicescanned pineapple rings
  • 1red bell pepper
  • 0.5small chili pepper
  • 1onion
  • 3clovesgarlic
  • knobfresh ginger (grated)
  • tbsp5peanut oil or canola oil

To Garnish

  • fresh spring onion (finely chopped)
  • mung bean sprouts

Instructions

  1. 1

    Soak the cashews in boiling water and set aside. Start cooking the rice.

  2. 2

    Prepare the sauce: drain the juice from the canned pineapple, add all sauce ingredients, and whisk until smooth.

  3. 3

    Cut the tofu into cubes. Toss in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

  4. 4

    Fry the tofu in 3 tbsp of hot oil until golden brown and crispy on all sides.

  5. 5

    Meanwhile, cut the onion into large chunks, slice the bell pepper into long strips, finely chop the chili and garlic, grate the ginger, and dice the pineapple.

  6. 6

    Remove the tofu from the pan. Add remaining oil, then stir-fry the onion, bell pepper, and chili until slightly charred. Add the ginger and garlic, cooking briefly until fragrant.

  7. 7

    Pour in the sauce and let it thicken. Add the tofu and pineapple, toss everything together, and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the drained cashews.

  8. 8

    Serve with rice and garnish with finely chopped scallions and mung bean sprouts.

Sweet & Sour Tofu Stir Fry with Pineapple | Family Pots