Chipotle Tofu Tacos

Tofu tacos don’t have to be boring, and these Sticky Chipotle Tofu Tacos are a perfect example. They’re packed with flavour and texture – crispy tofu, sticky chipotle glaze, and a bright pineapple slaw that cuts through the richness. Whether you’re a tofu fan or not, these tacos are a crowd-pleaser, easy to make, and an ideal weeknight dinner.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Tofu Tacos: Getting the Perfect Crisp
• These Chipotle Tofu Tacos Need a Slaw
• The Chipotle Glaze: Sweet, Smoky, and Sticky
• Chipotle Crema: Bringing It All Together
• Why These Chipotle Tofu Tacos Work
• Love Tacos? Try These!

Ingredient Breakdown

• Pineapple: Adds a touch of sweetness and freshness, balancing the smokiness of the chipotle.
• Cabbage: Crunchy and vibrant, it’s the base of the slaw, adding texture and colour.
• Onion: Sharp and slightly sweet, it pairs well with the pineapple in the slaw.
• Fresh coriander: Herbaceous and bright, it lifts the flavours of the slaw, adding some much needed freshness.
• Limes: The zingy acidity from the lime juice brings everything to life in both the slaw and the crema.
• Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the chipotle crema, adding richness without overpowering the other flavours.
• Chipotle paste: Smoky, spicy, and essential for both the crema and glaze.
• Garlic: A small amount of minced garlic goes a long way in adding depth to the crema.
• Tofu: Extra-firm tofu gives you that crisp bite, perfect for holding up to the sticky chipotle glaze.
• Cornflour: Helps achieve that crispy texture when coating the tofu before air frying or roasting.

Tofu Tacos: Getting the Perfect Crisp

Tofu can be tricky if you’re not used to working with it, but it’s all about texture. For this Sticky Chipotle Tofu Tacos recipe, I prefer extra-firm tofu because it holds its shape and crisps up beautifully. No pressing is needed if you use brands like Tofoo, which makes prep faster – not sponsored, it’s just my go-to tofu brand!

Tearing the tofu into bite-sized pieces instead of cutting it into cubes might seem a little unconventional, but this creates rough edges. Those craggy surfaces are key to getting the tofu extra crispy, whether you’re air frying or roasting.

Coating the tofu in cornflour, cumin, and smoked paprika not only gives you that golden crust but also adds a subtle layer of spice to complement the chipotle glaze. The trick is to lightly toss the tofu in a bit of oil after seasoning – not too much, just enough to help it crisp up without making it greasy.

Air Fryer vs Oven: Both methods work well for this Sticky Chipotle Tofu Tacos recipe. Air frying is quicker, giving you crisp tofu in about 15 minutes. But if you don’t have an air fryer, roasting in a hot oven will give you equally good results, just with a bit more time. In either case, tossing the tofu halfway through ensures it cooks evenly on all sides.

These Chipotle Tofu Tacos Need a Slaw

The pineapple slaw is what keeps these chipotle tofu tacos fresh and balanced. Pineapple might seem like an unusual choice, but it brings that much-needed sweetness and acidity, cutting through the smoky, spicy tofu and chipotle glaze. You want the pineapple to be ripe but firm, so it holds its shape in the slaw and doesn’t get mushy.

Cabbage adds crunch and body to the slaw. I often go for a mix of red and white cabbage, as it adds some colour variation and keeps things interesting visually. The red cabbage also has a slight peppery bite, which pairs well with the sweetness of the pineapple.

To finish it off, fresh coriander and lime juice brighten everything up. The lime juice does double duty here – it keeps the cabbage and pineapple fresh while also adding that necessary tang to balance the sweetness. Let the slaw sit for at least 10-15 minutes in the fridge to allow the flavours to meld together. This step is important, as it helps soften the cabbage slightly and lets the pineapple soak up the lime juice.

The Chipotle Glaze: Sweet, Smoky, and Sticky

Now onto the star of the show in these chipotle tofu tacos: the sticky chipotle glaze. This glaze packs a punch with smoky, spicy, and sweet notes that coat the crispy tofu perfectly. Chipotle paste is the key ingredient here – it has a deep, smoky flavour with a slow-building heat that works beautifully with agave nectar (or honey) for that sticky finish.

When making the glaze, bring it to a simmer for a few minutes until it thickens into a syrupy consistency. The lime zest and juice added at the end give the glaze a fresh, citrusy pop that lightens the richness of the chipotle and agave. The key is not to overcook the glaze – you want it thick enough to coat the tofu but still sticky and pourable.

Once your tofu is crispy and golden, toss it straight into the glaze while it’s still warm. This allows the tofu to absorb all the flavours, ensuring every bite is packed with that smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet chipotle hit.

Chipotle Crema: Bringing It All Together

A good taco isn’t complete without a sauce that ties everything together. Enter the chipotle crema. It’s a simple sauce, but it plays an essential role in balancing the heat from the glaze. The creamy mayo base mellows out the spice while the chipotle paste adds that smoky kick, echoing the flavours of the glaze.

The garlic gives the crema a bit of bite, and the lime juice keeps it fresh. If the crema feels too thick, you can loosen it with a tablespoon or two of water until it’s drizzle-worthy. This is the finishing touch that brings richness and pulls together all the other flavours without overpowering them.

Why These Chipotle Tofu Tacos Work

What makes these tacos a winner is the balance of flavours and textures. The crispy tofu gives you that satisfying crunch, while the chipotle glaze provides depth with its smoky sweetness. The pineapple slaw brightens things up, adding freshness and acidity, and the chipotle crema ties everything together with its creamy, smoky flavour.

These chipotle tofu tacos are also versatile. You can easily adapt them to your liking – swap out the pineapple for mango, or add a bit more heat to the glaze by increasing the amount of chipotle paste. Whether you’re serving them for a quick weeknight dinner or as part of a larger spread, they’re sure to be a hit.

Love Tacos? Try These!

If you enjoyed these Chipotle Tofu Tacos, here are some other taco recipes you might like, some vegan, some not:

• Smoky Mushroom and Aubergine (Eggplant) Tacos: These tacos are ridiculously tasty, so smoky and surprisingly meaty given that they’re 100% vegan. The meatiness comes from the king oyster mushrooms which, when shredded, have the most incredible texture. The smokiness comes from the charred aubergines, which add so much depth of flavour.
• Crispy Fish Tacos: These Baja-inspired fish tacos are loaded with crispy beer-battered fish, a zingy cabbage slaw, sweet and sour pickled chillies and a chipotle crema.
• Braised Pork Belly Tacos: These delicious pork belly tacos are packed with sticky braised Chinese pork belly and a spicy yet creamy Asian-inspired slaw.