Tofu doesn’t precisely have the most productive popularity, but if you know the way to make Baked Tofu the suitable method, this bland, gentle block transforms into chewy, bite-sized nuggets which can be completely packed with taste. Let’s dig in!

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Baked Tofu Recipe

• Baked, No longer Fried. Numerous restaurant-style tofu is deep-fried, which is the way it will get that irresistibly crispy, chewy texture. This tofu recipe could also be chewy, however it’s baked within the oven, making it a lot fitter. Rating!
• Infused With Taste. Whilst the feel of the tofu you get from Thai and Chinese language eating places is from frying, the flavour is nearly completely at the outdoor of the tofu from the sauce it’s tossed in after being fried. Right here, we use a sweet-and-savory Tofu Marinade to taste the tofu from the interior out.
• No Freezing Wanted. My Crispy Tofu recipe is a reader favourite, however you must freeze the tofu prematurely for best possible effects—and I’ve for sure had the ones 5pm, “Oh shoot, I forgot to freeze the tofu!” moments once I’m about to begin making dinner. This system for how you can prepare dinner tofu merely calls for a snappy 30 minute marinade.
• Wholesome Plant-Based totally Protein. Whether or not you’re vegan, vegetarian, or an ardent meat-eater, we will all use some extra plant-based proteins in our lives. Maximum kinds of extra-firm tofu have 9 grams of protein in step with serving, with round 130 energy, this means that it packs a large protein punch for a somewhat small selection of energy.
• Upload It to The rest. The marinade I take advantage of for this baked tofu pairs with Asian dishes like Zucchini Stir Fry, or you’ll be able to make it right into a wrap crowned with Wholesome Coleslaw and served with an aspect of Candy Potato Fries. Similar to my Air Fryer Tofu, this recipe is flexible!

Find out how to Cook dinner Tofu You In truth Need to Devour

Sizzling take: I feel maximum tofu haters merely don’t understand how to prepare dinner tofu.

It’s now not your fault, regardless that!

Tofu doesn’t precisely make it simple.

First, there are such a large amount of several types of tofu! Refrigerated tofu, shelf-stable silken tofu; agency, cushy, extra-firm, large agency. Hi, resolution fatigue!

Then, there’s the truth that you do what turns out logical—lower it into cubes, upload it in your stir fry—and you find yourself with gentle lumps of bland nothingness that doesn’t resemble the ones chewy little triangles on your takeout Pad Thai by any means, form, or shape.

Womp womp. No marvel such a lot of folks have sworn off cooking tofu at house.

Like my Tofu Tacos and Tofu Stir Fry recipe, this baked tofu is designed to take the guesswork out of cooking tofu.

As soon as you recognize the process at the back of this recipe, you’ll be able to use it on different tofu dishes, or get a hold of your individual tofu creations. 

Tofu: it’s now not only a punchline for unhealthy jokes about vegetarians anymore.

Find out how to Make Baked Tofu

The Components

For the Tofu and Baking

• Further-Company Tofu. Purchase the refrigerated type and remember to purchase extra-firm, because it has the best texture for baking.
• Cornstarch or Arrowroot Starch. For a crispy external while you’re cooking tofu.

For the Tofu Marinade

• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce. Brings umami taste with out a large number of more salt.

• Natural Maple Syrup. Some candy to steadiness the savory.
• Rice Vinegar. Rice vinegar works smartly with Asian pairings, however apple cider vinegar is ok too.
• Further-Virgin Olive Oil. No wish to use your best possible bottle right here.
• Sesame Oil. Toasted sesame oil provides some intensity.
• Garlic Powder. Provides your baked tofu a garlicky taste with no need to weigh down recent garlic cloves.
• Smoked Paprika. Provides some meaty taste to cooked tofu since we affiliate smokiness with meat.

• Floor Ginger. Ginger brings just a little bit of heat.
• Sriracha or Sizzling Sauce of Selection. Be at liberty to make use of kind of.

Non-compulsory, for Serving

The Instructions

1. Press the Tofu. Squeeze the surplus moisture out of the tofu together with your fingers, or press it for quarter-hour.

2. Minimize. Slice the tofu into cubes and position them in a baking dish.

3. Combine. Whisk in combination the marinade elements in a bowl or liquid measuring cup.

4. Marinate. Pour the marinade over the tofu and marinate for no less than half-hour at room temperature, or as much as an afternoon within the fridge.
5. Get ready. Preheat your oven to 425 levels F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

6. Bake. Switch the tofu to the baking sheet, coat with cornstarch, and unfold the cubes into an excellent layer. Bake tofu for 20 to half-hour.

7. End. Drizzle the baked tofu with more marinade, serve, and ENJOY!

Recipe Diversifications

• Garlicky Lemon Herb Baked Tofu. Use a half-batch of my Rooster Marinade for baked tofu that’s highest for including to Inexperienced Goddess Salad or Garlic Pasta.
• Fish fry Baked Tofu. Exchange the tofu marinade for my BBQ Rooster Marinade and brush the completed tofu together with your favourite Fish fry Sauce.
• Teriyaki Baked Tofu. Use your favourite store-bought teriyaki sauce (or make the honey-sweetened teriyaki sauce from my Teriyaki Rooster recipe) as a marinade and glaze for this baked tofu.

Garage Pointers

• To Retailer. Retailer the baked tofu in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
• To Reheat. Heat leftover tofu within the microwave or in a 350 level F oven till it’s heated thru. Tofu can be loved chilly or at room temperature.
• To Freeze. Position the baked tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze till it’s forged. Switch to a freezer bag or hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge ahead of reheating in step with the directions above.

What to Serve with Baked Tofu

• Liquid Measuring Cup. I really like the use of those for whisking sauces and marinades—the top aspects imply no spillover and the spout makes pouring simple.
• Tofu Press. For those who’re severe fascinated with cooking tofu, a tofu press is a worthy funding for squeezing out that extra liquid.
• Measuring Beakers. Those little measuring beakers measure tablespoons of liquid, which is useful while you’re creating a marinade or anything with a large number of liquid elements.

Recipe Pointers and Tips

• Press the Tofu for the Chewiest Texture. In my humble opinion, the most productive tofu is chewy and meaty—and also you most effective get this through urgent it. That mentioned! For those who favor the tofu to be cushy, with a melt-in-your-mouth high quality at the inside of, you’ll be able to break out with merely giving the tofu a just right squeeze; this will likely free up sufficient liquid to permit the marinade to soak in.
• Skip the Silken Tofu. Silken tofu is fabulous in smoothies, soups, and truffles, however it’s now not so fabulous for baking or stir frying. Even the extra-firm silken tofu has a cushy, velvety texture and it doesn’t take in marinades the similar method refrigerated, water-packed extra-firm tofu does. For those who’re now not certain which is which, silken tofu is in most cases (however now not at all times!) offered in aseptic bins at the common grocery shop cabinets.
• Don’t Skip the Marinade. Bypass the silken tofu, however don’t skip the tofu marinade—whether or not it’s my recipe, one thing from a bottle, or one thing you whip up by yourself. Tofu is a meals that takes on no matter flavors you upload to it, and when you don’t upload any flavors, it’s now not going to style like a lot of anything else.
• Bake It. This recipe was once evolved particularly for baking within the oven. If you wish to understand how to prepare dinner tofu in an air fryer, see my Air Fryer Tofu; my Extremely Crispy Tofu recipe is for cooking tofu at the stovetop.