Get ready for some plant-based deliciousness with this Crispy Baked Tofu! Crunchy, protein-packed, and totally addictive, this dish will have you asking, “chicken who?”
When I adopted a plant-based diet, little did I know how indispensable tofu would become in my cooking. In fact, if I’m honest, I wasn’t only intimidated by tofu, but also found it slightly off-putting. I think it had to do with my first time trying it years ago as a teenager. Believe it or not, I just sliced it, slapped it on a grill, smothered it with some barbecue sauce, and hoped for the best. Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed. While I did use it from time to time, mostly crumbled into chilis, my tofu adventures only took off when I changed my diet and started looking for ways to replace everything from meat to eggs. Tofu did it all—and some! It truly is a culinary chameleon!
Whether you’re vegetarian, plant-based, or just trying to eat less meat, this crispy baked tofu recipe is a great way to discover just how delicious tofu can be. You’ll love these crispy, savory tofu bites and will be adding them to stir-fries, wraps, poké bowls, salads, and more. If you can resist eating them all as soon as they emerge from the oven in all their golden splendor, that is!
Is Crispy Baked Tofu healthy?
It most certainly is! Made with soybeans, which are a protein-packed legume, tofu is an excellent source of healthy fats, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. It’s low in calories and provides all the essential amino acids. Baking tofu is a healthier preparation method than frying, as it reduces the need for excess oil, preserving its nutrient-dense profile while keeping the calorie count lower.
An Ode To Tofu
If you’re unfamiliar with tofu but want to start adding meatless meals to your rotation, tofu might seem like a complicated food. Let me reassure you, it’s not!
Tofu is essentially the curds of coagulated soymilk pressed into blocks, in a process similar to cheesemaking. It’s available in different consistencies: silken, soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm. For crispy baked tofu and many other dishes where you’re using tofu as a meat substitute, you need extra-firm tofu. Extra-firm tofu’s consistency is, as you’d expect, more firm and dense, which helps it hold up structurally during the cooking process.
Plain tofu doesn’t have much flavor, but that’s one of the reasons it’s so versatile. It can be seasoned and breaded to resemble fish sticks or chicken tenders, scrambled with kala namak (black salt) and nutritional yeast to replace scrambled eggs, puréed and used as an egg replacement in desserts or egg-based dishes like quiche, marinated and stir-fried, or crumbled into chilis and sauces that call for meat. No wonder I always have a block in my fridge, ready to be turned into something delicious!
Need inspiration for your crispy baked tofu or other tofu recipes? Here are some different ways you can flavor your tofu:
| Flavor | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Lemon Herb | Lemon juice, garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, olive oil, salt, black pepper |
| Asian | Coconut aminos, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, green onion, red pepper flakes, salt |
| Spicy Mexican | Lime juice, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, olive oil |
| Mediterranean | Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, fresh basil, oregano, salt, black pepper |
| Indian | Turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, garam masala, coconut milk, salt, black pepper |
| BBQ | Tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper |
| Greek | Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, fresh rosemary, salt, black pepper |
| Cajun | Olive oil, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper |
| Jamaican Jerk | Allspice, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, garlic, green onion, lime juice, salt, black pepper |
| Italian | Olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, fresh parsley, dried oregano, salt, black pepper |
How To Make Ahead And Store
Once cooked, crispy baked tofu can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat the baked tofu back to crispiness, warm it in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy baked tofu is a great substitute for chicken in recipes like this Healthy Homemade Orange Chicken. It’s also great added to salads and bowls. Try it in this Caesar Pasta Salad, a Broccoli and Grape Salad, or in this hearty Mediterranean Bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 block (12-16 ounces) extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil grapeseed, olive oil, or vegetable oil will work
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 1 teaspoon seasoning of choice see list
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Drain the tofu. Press for 30 minutes as directed in the tips above.
- Cut the tofu in half. Cut each half in half again so that you are left with four long pieces of tofu. Cut the slabs into 3/4 to 1 inch pieces or any shape you desire. For crispier tofu, cut it into smaller pieces.
- Place the tofu in a large mixing bowl and toss with the oil and soy sauce or liquid aminos until evenly coated.
- Add the cornstarch and any desired seasonings. Toss carefully until evenly coated.
- Place the tofu cubes on the baking sheet so that they are spread evenly and are not overlapping or touching.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip each piece. Bake for 15 minutes, or until your tofu reaches your desired crispiness!
- Serve with your favorite sauce or add to other dishes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment