Crispy Baked Tofu Recipe (2024)

Published: September 5, 2022 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: November 23, 2023 Leave a Comment

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Baked Tofu is a delightful, crispy Chinese dish, perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal. It's made with extra firm tofu, marinated in basic seasonings, and then baked to achieve a crispy, golden texture. Ideal as a versatile side dish, it can also be added to stir-fries, bowl meals, or salads.

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Ingredients Overview
How to Bake Tofu in Oven?
Crispy Baked Tofu
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Nutrition Info
Storage Suggestions
Serving Suggestions

Tofu is a great choice for those seeking a gluten-free, low-calorie food. It's rich in fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. The key to making delicious tofu lies in its ability to absorb the flavors of your chosen seasonings, despite its bland natural taste.

This recipe guides you through creating crispy Baked Tofu with simple seasonings. While the recipe uses basic ingredients, you're encouraged to customize the seasonings to match your dietary needs and preferences, making this dish adaptable and universally appealing.

Explore More Tofu Recipes:

General Tso's Tofu
Tofu Stir Fry
Fried Tofu
Tofu Chili
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Ingredients Overview

The ingredients for Baked Tofu are simple yet essential for achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture. These items are commonly found in the Asian section of most supermarkets or grocery stores. Here's a breakdown:

Tofu: Opt for extra firm or firm tofu, which is ideal for baking, frying, or stir-frying. Softer varieties like silken tofu are better suited for sauces, dips, and smoothies.
Soy Sauce: Regular all-purpose soy sauce works well, but a low-sodium variety is recommended to prevent the dish from becoming overly salty. For a gluten-free alternative, tamari can be used, offering similar flavors.
Garlic Powder: Adds a hint of garlicky taste.
Paprika: Imparts a vibrant color and a touch of heat to the tofu. For a spicier kick, substitute with cayenne pepper, or stick with paprika for a milder spice level.
Oil: Use any neutral-tasting cooking oil.
Cornstarch: Helps the seasoning adhere to the tofu and contributes to a crispy outer layer.
Sesame Seeds and Cilantro: These are optional for garnishing. You can choose to include them or leave them out based on your preference.

How to Bake Tofu in Oven?

Delve into the world of crispy, flavorful Baked Tofu with this step-by-step recipe, complemented by helpful photos and a video guide. Perfect for both tofu enthusiasts and newcomers, this recipe will show you how to transform simple ingredients into a delicious dish.

Explore our selection of healthyroasted and baked vegetables:

Roasted Vegetables
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Broccoli
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Roasted Carrots
Roasted Cauliflower
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Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted Tomato

Crispy Baked Tofu

Discover the delight of Baked Tofu, a crispy, flavor-packed Chinese dish that's simple to prepare. Made with extra firm tofu marinated in basic seasonings and baked to golden perfection, it's an ideal, versatile side for any meal, perfect for spicing up your lunch, dinner, stir-fries, or salads.

Ingredients

▢ 1 lb. Tofu, extra firm
▢ ½ tsp Garlic Powder
▢ 1 tsp Paprika
▢ 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
▢ 1 tbsp. Soy Sauce, or tamari
▢ 2 tbsp. Cornstarch
▢ Sesame Seeds, to garnish
▢ Cilantro Leaves, to garnish
▢ Salt, as needed

Instructions

To Prepare Tofu

Start by draining the tofu of its water. Gently squeeze it to release additional moisture. For more effective drying, wrap it in a kitchen towel and press gently. Once adequately pressed, slice the tofu into equal bite-sized pieces.

To Marinate Tofu

Combine the cubed tofu, garlic powder, paprika, a pinch of salt, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix gently. (Remember: Soy Sauce is often salty, so be cautious with additional salt.)
Sprinkle cornstarch over the mixture and toss gently, ensuring the tofu is evenly coated.

To Make Baked Tofu

Place the marinated tofu on an oil-greased baking tray, arranging them in even layers. (Note: In my experience, even with a greased tray, some tofu pieces may stick. For optimal results, lining the tray with parchment paper is advisable.)
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tofu is golden and crispy.
Once baked, remove the crispy Tofu from the oven and garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro leaves.

To Serve

Enjoy this crispy Baked Tofu as a flavorful side with your favorite Chinese dishes, alongside rice, or in any recipe that calls for baked tofu.

Recipe Video

Chef's Notes and Tips

Here are some essential tips to make perfect baked Tofu:

Pressing Tofu: To ensure your tofu is perfectly crispy, start by draining and then pressing it to remove excess moisture. You can press it gently with your hands or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel, placing a heavy object on top for 10 to 15 minutes. This step is essential for a crispy finish.
Seasoning: While the recipe uses basic Asian seasonings, feel free to experiment with chili sauce, onion powder, or black pepper powder for an extra kick, especially if you're a fan of spicy flavors.
Salt Check: Be cautious with additional salt since soy sauce used in the marinade already contains a significant amount. Adjust the salt according to your taste, and you might even skip it if the soy sauce is quite salty.
Use Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking, line your baking tray with parchment paper. This makes both cooking and cleanup easier.
To Cook Tofu: For a perfectly textured tofu, bake it in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes. This high-temperature baking is the secret to achieving a crispy, golden exterior while maintaining a super soft interior.
How to Use: This versatile Baked Tofu can be enjoyed as a side dish with rice or Chinese dishes, or incorporated into stir-fries, salads, or any recipe that calls for a flavorful tofu addition.

Nutrition Info

Disclaimer

We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.

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Delve into our curated selection of mouth-watering recipes, focusing on roasted and baked vegetables and Chinese cuisine, each thoughtfully designed to enhance your culinary journey.

Storage Suggestions

For optimal freshness, store Baked Tofu in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, where it will remain good for up to two days. It can be directly added to stir-fries or salads without reheating. However, if you wish to enjoy it as a warm side dish, reheat in the oven at 370°F to 400°F until the outer layer regains its crispiness.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this crispy Baked Tofu as a versatile side with white or brown rice, noodles, or fried rice. It's also perfect in stir-fries, such as vegetable or chicken stir fry, salads, or as a base ingredient in various other tofu recipes.