How To Bake Tofu
Tofu is not only a big part of a plant based lifestyle, but it’s also just straight up delicious when prepared well. But the last part of that sentence is very important: when prepared well. We’ve all had soft soggy flavorless tofu before, and it gives this awesome ingredient such a bad rep! I always tell meat-eaters that they’d like tofu if it was seasoned and crispy. I mean, who wouldn’t?!
There are a LOT of ways to prepare tofu, and I usually prefer to just send you to Asian creators who really know best. My absolute favorite is Lisa Lin – if you’re not following her, get on it now!!! Her knowledge and recipes are INCREDIBLE. That being said, any time I mention that I’ve made tofu, I always get DMs asking me for help… and honestly, I just think it doesn’t get easier than this baked method.
These little cubes come out crispy and delicious – and easy to add to a salad, grain bowl, stir fry, or even just as a snack! They are delicious dipped in Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Dressing… YUM. So without further ado, here is my super simple baked tofu recipe!
How To Bake Tofu
Ingredients
1 block extra firm tofu
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted in a small bowl
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Drain the tofu. Wrap it in a towel and place something heavy on top for 20 minutes to press the moisture out.
3. Cut the tofu into bite sized squares. Add to a bowl with coconut oil, cornstarch and garlic salt. Toss to coat. (You could also add other flavorings to the bowl if you want to!)
4. Spread on a lined baking sheet (I used a silicone liner, but parchment paper works too!) and cook tofu for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Tips For Baking Tofu
Use extra firm tofu
If you’re baking tofu, you really want to find extra firm tofu. I’ve found that you can use firm tofu as well – that still tasted good! You definitely want to stay away from medium or soft tofu though. It won’t crisp up the same way because it has too much moisture!
Press your tofu before using
If you have time, I HIGHLY recommend pressing your tofu before you get started – especially you could only find firm tofu. All you have to do is remove the block of tofu from the package, draining off any of the liquid inside. Wrap the tofu in a towel (paper towels work, too) and place on a cutting board. Place a cast iron skillet on top to press on the tofu. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you could use anything else in your kitchen that will press down on the tofu. Leave it like that for about 20 minutes and then continue with the recipe!
Don’t forget the cornstarch!
Wondering how to make tofu extra crispy? Cornstarch is the secret! I don’t even remember who I first learned this from, but it’s a total game changer. And don’t worry, it still keeps this recipe gluten free! I also highly recommend using coconut oil over olive oil or sesame oil. Coconut oil has a higher smoke point than those other flavors – and I also think it helps you get that pretty golden color.
Add Extra Seasoning
I only added garlic salt this time (you can also add garlic powder and salt instead!), but you could definitely have fun with seasonings depending on what you’re eating it with! I bet a little soy sauce or teriyaki would be delicious.
How Long To Cook The Tofu
I’ve seen longer cook times in similar recipes before, but I think I cut mine smaller than others since I like them to be bite sized. In this case, it pretty much always takes about 30 minutes to cook in a 400 degree oven. I flip halfway to make sure both sides get golden brown, too. If yours don’t look golden brown after 30 minutes, leave them in for another 10.
What To Eat It With
I love adding these to a green salad or grain/veggie bowl instead of a meat protein. You can also add them to a stir fry, curry, or fried rice. And as I mentioned above, it’s also a great little snack! If you’re hungry in between meals, grab a few crispy baked tofu and your favorite dip!
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Drain the tofu. Wrap it in a towel and place something heavy on top for 20 minutes to press the moisture out. 3. Cut the tofu into bite sized squares. Add to a bowl with coconut oil, cornstarch and garlic salt. Toss to coat. (You could also add other flavorings to the bowl if you want to!) 4. Spread on a lined baking sheet (I used a silicone liner, but parchment paper works too!) and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How To Bake Tofu
Ingredients
Instructions
