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    Home » Recipes » Roasted & Baked Vegetables » Baked Tofu

    Crispy Baked Tofu Recipe

    Published: September 5, 2022 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: November 3, 2022 Leave a Comment

    49 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Baked Tofu is a crispy, easy-to-make, and healthy flavor-loaded Chinese dish. It is usually made with extra firm tofu, that is marinated with basic seasonings and baked at high temperature until it turns crispy and golden. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make crispy Baked Tofu with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home.

    I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe below to make the cooking process simple. This crispy Oven Baked Tofu is one of the best side dishes and is perfect to serve for lunch and dinner, and also can be used in stir-fries, bowl meals, or salads.

    Baked tofu pieces in a baking tray.
    Jump to:
    • What is Baked Tofu?
    • Ingredients
    • How to press Tofu?
    • How to Bake Tofu in Oven?
    • How long to bake or cook tofu in the oven?
    • Tips
    • Storage Suggestions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Related Recipes
    • Baked Tofu Recipe Video
    • 📖 Recipe
    • FAQ

    What is Baked Tofu?

    Baked Tofu is a crispy, easy-to-make, and flavor-filled side dish. It is usually made with extra firm tofu, that is marinated with basic seasonings. Then the marinated tofu is baked at high temperature until it is crispy and golden. This crispy Baked Tofu is usually served as a side dish, used in stir-fries, bowl meals, or salads.

    As many of you know, tofu is naturally gluten-free and a low-calorie food. It is also a good source of fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. But when it comes to cooking many of you wonder how to season, and cook tofu without sticking and mainly without compromising flavors. Don't worry, even though tofu is naturally bland in taste, it has the ability to absorb the flavors of the seasoning that you use.

    So here I have shared how to make crispy Baked Tofu with simple and basic seasonings that you might have already at home. Even though I have used the basic seasonings here, you can always feel free to season the tofu the way you like or that's suitable for you and your family.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients you will need to make Baked Tofu are basic Asian pantry elements. You could find them in the Asian aisles in supermarkets or grocery stores. So let's see what are they below.

    Baked Tofu recipe Ingredients placed on a grey table.
    • Tofu - I would recommend choosing an extra firm or firm form that is perfect for baking, frying, or stir-frying. Other varieties like soft and silken tofu work best for making sauce, dips, and smoothies.
    • Soy sauce - All-purpose soy sauce, and I would suggest low-sodium ones to avoid turning your dish to be too salty. You could also use tamari instead to achieve the similar results
    • Garlic Powder - For some garlicky flavor
    • Paprika - it delivers a deep vibrant color to your tofu as well as some slight heat. If you are looking for something spicy then I would suggest cayenne pepper to achieve that super spiciness. But if you want your tofu to be mildly spiced then I recommend paprika
    • Oil - Any neutral taste cooking oil
    • Cornstarch - To hold the seasoning intact and helps in achieving a crispy exterior
    • Sesame Seeds and Cilantro - For garnishing and it is optional you could either use or skip it

    For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.

    How to press Tofu?

    Tofu is naturally soft and very bland in taste. So pressing them to remove their water is one of the important steps, to achieve the best results. So to do that, drain the tofu from the water from the package and press gently with your palms to extract the water from it.

    Also, you could wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top of it for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the water from it. Doing this helps to extract the extra moisture, helps to hold its shape, absorb flavors from seasonings, and delivers crispy tofu when cooked or baked.

    How to Bake Tofu in Oven?

    The recipe I have shared here is Baked Tofu, one of the easy and best ways to cook tofu. This method of cooking tofu delivers a crispy and non sticky outer texture. And the best part is you could enjoy this version as it is as a side dish or you can creatively use it in stir-fries, salads, or soups for different variations.

    Baked tofu pieces in a baking tray.

    Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.

    To marinate Tofu

    • Season - Add the cubed tofu, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and olive oil. Give it a gentle mix. (Note: Soy Sauce usually has a good amount of salt in it, so make sure to keep an eye while seasoning the tofu with salt)
    • Toss - Now add the cornstarch and give it a gentle toss until the cornstarch coats well on the tofu

    To make Baked Tofu

    • Arrange - Transfer the marinated tofu into an oil-greased baking tray and arrange them in even layers (Note: even though the baking tray was greased here some of the pieces were slightly stuck at the bottom, so I would recommend lining parchment paper on the baking tray for best results)
    • Bake - Now bake the marinated tofu in the preheated oven at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the tofu turns golden and crispy
    • Remove - Remove the crispy Roasted Tofu from the oven and garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro leaves
    • Serve - Serve this crispy Baked Tofu as a side with your favorite Chinese dishes, or rice, or use it in recipes that call for baked tofu

    How long to bake or cook tofu in the oven?

    Tofu generally needs 25 to 30 minutes to cook in a preheated oven at 400°F. Baking them at high temperatures delivers a crispy and golden texture to the exterior and a super soft interior.

    Tips

    • Pressing Tofu - Draining the tofu from water and pressing it gently with hands helps to remove the moisture from it. You could also wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top of it for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the water from it. Doing this helps to extract the extra moisture from the tofu and it helps in achieving crispy tofu when cooked or baked
    • Seasoning - I have used minimal Asian seasoning ingredients but feel free to use chili sauce, onion powder, and black pepper powder for extra flavorings especially if you like spicy foods
    • Salt Check - Since the soy sauce used for marination already has a good amount of salt, I suggest keeping an eye while seasoning the tofu with salt. You can even skip the salt if the soy sauce is already salty
    • Use parchment Paper - I recommend lining the baking tray with parchment paper to avoid sticking the tofu
    • How to use - You can use this Baked Tofu as a side dish for your rice, or Chinese dishes, or use them in stir-fries, salads, or in the recipes that call for it

    Storage Suggestions

    This Baked Tofu stays good in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in a closed air-tight container. You could use it in stir-fries or salads without reheating them. But to enjoy it as a side dish then I suggest reheating them in the oven between 370°F to 400°F until the outer layer turns crispy.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this crispy Baked Tofu as a side dish with white rice, brown rice, noodles, or fried rice. You can also use it in stir-fries, like vegetable stir fry, chicken stir fry, salads, or as a base to recreate other tofu recipes.

    Related Recipes

    You could also find similar tofu recipes below and more at roasted & baked recipes.

    • General Tso's Tofu
    • Fried Tofu
    • Tofu Chili
    • Tofu Nuggets

    More roasted & baked vegetables.

    • Roasted Chickpeas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Roasted Potatoes
    • Oven Roasted Vegetables
    • Roasted Broccoli
    • Oven Roasted Asparagus
    • Roasted Cauliflower
    • Roasted Green Beans
    • Oven Roasted Carrots

    More roasted & baked meat recipes.

    • Baked Chicken Breast
    • Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks
    • Baked Buffalo Wings
    • Baked Chicken Wings
    • Garlic Butter Baked Salmon

    Baked Tofu Recipe Video

    I have also shared a detailed video of this Baked Tofu Recipe below that I hope will help you to make crispy and flavorful Tofu at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.

    📖 Recipe

    Baked tofu pieces in a baking tray.

    Crispy Baked Tofu

    Baked Tofu is a crispy, flavor-loaded and an easy-to-make Chinese dish. It is usually made with extra firm tofu, that is marinated with basic seasonings and baked at high temperature until it turns crispy and golden. This crispy Oven Baked Tofu is one of the best side dishes and is perfect to serve for lunch and dinner, and can also be used in stir-fries, bowl meals, or salads.
    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Sangeetha Vel
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep: 15 mins
    Cook: 25 mins
    Adjust 3 Servings

    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
    More on Measurements & Conversions »
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    Instructions
     

    To Prepare Tofu

    • Drain the tofu from the water and squeeze gently to extract the water from it. Also wrapping it in a kitchen towel and pressing it gently helps to remove the moisture from it. Once it is pressed, cut it into equal bite-size pieces
      Drained, pressed and cubed tofu in a bowl.

    To marinate Tofu

    • Add the cubed tofu, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and olive oil. Give it a gentle mix. (Note: Soy Sauce usually has a good amount of salt in it, so make sure to keep an eye while seasoning the tofu with salt)
      Marinated Tofu in a glass bowl.
    • Now add the cornstarch and give it a gentle toss until the cornstarch coats well on the tofu
      Mixing cornstarch to marinated tofu.

    To make Baked Tofu

    • Transfer the marinated tofu into an oil-greased baking tray and arrange them in even layers (Note: even though the baking tray was greased here some of the pieces were slightly stuck at the bottom, so I would recommend placing parchment paper on the baking tray for best results)
      Seasoned Tofu arranged on a baking tray.
    • Now bake the marinated tofu in the preheated oven at 400°F for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the tofu turns golden and crispy
      Tofu placed inside the oven on a baking tray.
    • Remove the crispy Roasted Tofu from the oven and garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro leaves
      Crispy baked tofu garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro leaves.

    To Serve

    • Serve this crispy Baked Tofu as a side with your favorite Chinese dishes, rice or use it in recipes that call for baked tofu
      Crispy baked tofu served in a black baking tray.

    Video

    Notes

    • Pressing Tofu -  Draining the tofu from water and pressing it gently with hands helps to remove the moisture from it. You could also wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object to remove the water from it. Doing this helps to extract the extra moisture from the tofu and help in achieving a crispy tofu when cooked or baked
    • Seasoning - I have used minimal Asian seasoning ingredients but feel free to use chili sauce, onion powder, black pepper powder for extra flavorings especially if you really like spicy foods
    • Salt Check - Since the soy sauce used for marination already has a good amount of salt, I suggest to keep an eye while seasoning the tofu with salt.  You can even skip salt, if the the soy sauce is already salty
    • Use parchment Paper - I recommend to line the baking tray with parchment paper to avoid sticking of the tofu. It also helps to achieve a crispy oven baked tofu
    • How to use - You can use this Baked Tofu as a side dish for your rice, Chinese dishes or use them in stir fries, salads or the recipes that call for it

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @yellowchilis or tag #yellowchilis!

    FAQ

    What is Baked Tofu?

    Baked Tofu is a crispy, easy-to-make, and flavor-filled side dish. It is usually made with extra firm tofu, that is marinated with basic seasonings. Then the marinated tofu is baked at high temperature until it is crispy and golden. This crispy Baked Tofu is usually served as a side dish, used in stir-fries, bowl meals, or salads.

    How long does to cook or bake tofu?

    Tofu generally needs 25 to 30 minutes to cook in a preheated oven at 400°F. Baking them at high temperatures delivers a crispy and golden texture to your tofu.

    What does baked tofu taste like?

    Uncooked tofu usually tastes sour and bland in taste. But baked tofu usually absorbs the flavors from the seasoning that we are using. So it may taste sweet, or savory depending on the seasoning. Here my baked version absorbed the flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and slight heat of paprika.

    How long to press tofu?

    Draining the tofu from water and pressing it gently with hands helps to remove the moisture from it. You could also wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top of it for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the water from it. Doing this helps to extract the extra moisture from the tofu and it helps in achieving crispy tofu when cooked or baked

    Can you eat raw tofu?

    Yes, you can eat raw tofu and it is also safe to consume raw. But the raw tofu is usually sour and naturally bland in taste.

    I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.

    If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

    Happy Cooking!

    Related Recipes:

    General Tso's Tofu in a bowlGeneral Tso's Tofu Recipe Fried Tofu Recipe With Vegetables Spicy Tofu Chili Recipe Buffalo Wings in a bowl with celery stick and sauce nearbyCrispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe
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    Sangeetha Vel Yellow Chili's

    Hi, I'm Sangeetha Vel! the author, recipe researcher, creator, and cooking hands behind Yellow Chili's. A realistic, friendly, empathetic, and enthusiastic foodie who loves to share authentic, easy, quick, healthy, instant, and kids-approved recipes.

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