Crispy Baked Tofu – Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this foolproof recipe only calls for 4 ingredients! This recipe makes for a great healthy appetizer or a protein topping for stir-fry or bowls!
What is tofu?
Tofu is the product of coagulating soy milk and pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks. Tofu typically comes in varying softness, and you will see labels such as 'silken', 'soft', 'firm' and 'extra firm' on tofu that are sold in grocery stores. The type of tofu you use will be determined by the dish you want to create.
Although tofu is bland and slightly nutty in taste on its own, it is versatile in that it absorbs flavors well. It is used as the protein component in many Asian dishes.
What do you need to make crispy baked tofu?
For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Extra firm tofu block
- Tamari (or soy sauce)
- Any unflavored oil (I used canola)
- Cornstarch
You will also need the following equipment:
- An oven
- A baking tray
- An airtight medium food container with lid
How to make this crispy baked tofu?
How to cut and press tofu:
- Prepare the ingredients and the equipment.
- Lay the tofu block on its side and cut it so it makes 2 large flat pieces.
- Cut each flat piece into 12 pieces about an inch wide. You should have 24 pieces.
- On a dry surface (a cutting board or a large flat dish), lay one layer of paper towel or a clean tea towel. Lay the tofu pieces on top, with small gaps in between.
- Cover this with another layer of paper towel or clean tea towel, drawing out the moisture.
- Place a dish or a pan on top to press the tofu. The moisture from the tofu should be absorbed by the paper towel or tea towel.
- Repeat steps 5-6 once more when the paper towel is wet, in order to further press the tofu. The resulting product should be slightly dry to the touch, and should not leave watery residue on the surface it is on.
How to marinate and bake the tofu:
- Measure out the tamari, oil and cornstarch.
- Mix the tamari, oil and cornstarch in the food container until the cornstarch is evenly distributed.
- Place the pressed tofu cubes into the container.
- Close the lid and shake it gently until the tofu pieces are evenly marinated (about 30 seconds).
- Each tofu piece should be well coated in the sauce. The tofu is now ready to be baked.
- Line the baking tray with parchment paper and place the tofu pieces one by one, with small gaps. If there is some liquid left in the container, you can pour them on the tofu pieces. Bake for 30 minutes on 400F and serve as a topping on rice bowls or in a stir-fry!
Tips and tricks:
- Press the tofu: Do NOT skip this step! under pressing the tofu will result in a soggy and under baked tofu pieces. In addition, pressing will draw out the moisture in the tofu, which can then be replaced by the seasoning.
- Shake it: I like to place the pressed tofu pieces in an airtight container (like a mealprep container) with the sauce and shake it gently to ensure that the tofu is evenly coated in the sauce.
This crispy baked tofu is:
- Super simple to make
- Great as a healthy protein packed snack
- A tasty topping in a stir-fry or a bowl dish
Frequently asked questions:
- My tofu is too soggy, what do I do? This probably means you haven't pressed the tofu enough. For an immediate fix, you can bake it longer at a lower temperature to help draw out the moisture.
- Can I cut the tofu smaller? You can definitely cut the tofu into smaller pieces. If you use the same recipe and bake for the same time, it will result in very crispy tofu. However it is easy to burn them so I would recommend you reduce the baking time to 20-25 minutes if you are going for smaller pieces.
- How long can I store this crispy tofu? You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. However, for best tasting results, eat straight away or within a day! I think you will find that you will be able to make your way through them rather quickly!
If your question isn't answered here, be sure to check out the comments section below. You might find the answer to your question down there. Otherwise, please leave a comment on this post so I can get back to you ASAP!
As always, thanks for reading!
Best,
Crispy Baked Tofu
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Protein, Sides
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Crispy Baked Tofu – Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this foolproof recipe only calls for 4 ingredients! This recipe makes for a great healthy appetizer or a protein topping for stir-fry or bowls!
Ingredients
- 1 14oz pack of extra-firm tofu, cut into inch cubes and pressed
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or any other unflavored oil)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line the baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Mix the tamari, canola oil and cornstarch together in the airtight container.
- Place the tofu pieces in the container, close the lid and shake the container until the tofu pieces are evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
- Evenly space the tofu pieces on the baking tray, and bake for 30 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve as desired.
Notes
- You can cut the tofu into smaller pieces if you want. However, if you use the same recipe and bake for the same time, it will result in very crispy tofu. However it is easy to burn them so I would recommend you reduce the baking time to 20-25 minutes if you are going for smaller pieces.
Let me know what you think!