This Easy Baked Tofu recipe comes out of the oven crispy and delicious! Crispy tofu is ready in 30 minutes and can be used in so many ways!
Crispy Baked Tofu tastes so good, having both a nice flavor and texture. This tofu is also very versatile and can be used as a plant-based protein source for vegan and vegetarian recipes or as a meat replacement for various recipes that call for chicken. It is even great on its own. My daughter eats it like chicken nuggets and says that is what it tastes like. She loves it and says it’s better than the plant-based “chick-n” that we get at the store. Thank goodness for that since I know it is also much healthier than the store-bought stuff.
This baked tofu is so quick and easy to make. Since it is cooked in the oven on sheet pans, it is also really easy to clean up after dinner which I truly appreciate on busy weeknights. Baking it in the oven also allows me to focus on other aspects of dinner. I use this crispy tofu in lots of recipes and I also change it up to accommodate whatever I am making. However you choose to serve it, I hope that you enjoy the crispy baked tofu!
If you like this recipe you might also want to try my Chipotle Tofu Sofritas!
Baked Tofu Recipe Ingredients
- tofu – I used a block of organic extra firm tofu. I would not use anything less than extra firm tofu with this recipe. Draining and pressing as much liquid out of the tofu as possible produces the best result.
- avocado oil – Avocado oil works best since it has a high smoke point. You can use olive oil as a substitute.
- nutritional yeast – This adds flavor and helps make the tofu more crispy. It also adds additional protein and vitamins.
- salt & pepper – I used fine Himalayan pink salt and a freshly ground peppercorn medley to season the tofu.
What to Serve with Baked Tofu
There are so many ways that you can serve baked tofu. I have listed some ideas below.
- Cauliflower Rice – Baked tofu is great served with Creamy Cauliflower Risotto or tossed into Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or Tuscan Cauliflower Rice for a delicious low-carb meal.
- Pasta – Add this baked tofu to various pasta recipes for protein, like adding it to Vegan Pesto Pasta or this Creamy Mushroom Pasta. It is also a great addition to this Low Carb Lo Mein or tossed into this Vegan Pad Thai!
- Salads – This crispy baked tofu is great tossed into salads, like a healthy Arugula Salad, or this Warm Spinach Salad.
- Sauce – You can dip your tofu in sauce or combine the tofu and sauce to add to noodles or veggies for a delicious meal. For example, you can use this tofu in place of the chicken in my Pesto Chicken and Veggies Recipe for a healthy low-carb vegetarian meal. Yum!
How to Bake Tofu in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drain the tofu then slice the block of tofu lengthwise into even rows that are about 3/4 inch thick. Layer 3 paper towels on a flat surface and place the slabs of tofu on top of the paper towels. Lay another 2 – 3 paper towels on top of the tofu. Place a heavy plate or cutting board on top of the towels. Gently but firmly press the tofu to drain the excess liquid. Repeat until you get as much liquid out as you can. Removing as much moisture as possible is important if you want your tofu to be crispy.
Once the tofu has drained, remove the wet towels, then slice into even cubes that are about 3/4 inch, or into your desired shape. I make fry-like sticks for my daughter sometimes.
Add the sliced tofu to a large mixing bowl. Pour the avocado oil over the tofu and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle the tofu with nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper then gently toss or stir to coat evenly. Transfer the tofu to the parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into a single layer, not crowding.
Place the tofu onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake the tofu for 15 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and flip each piece of tofu over with a spatula, then return it to the oven for an additional 10 – 15 minutes, or until the tofu is crispy, golden, and cooked to your liking. Enjoy!
Easy Baked Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block tofu 14 - 16 oz. extra firm tofu.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Drain the tofu then slice the block of tofu lengthwise into even rows that are about 3/4 inch thick. Layer 3 paper towels on a flat surface and place the slabs of tofu on top of the paper towels. Lay another 2 - 3 paper towels on top of the tofu. Place a heavy plate or cutting board on top of the towels. Gently but firmly press the tofu to drain the excess liquid. Repeat until you get as much liquid out as you can. Removing as much moisture as possible is important if you want your tofu to be crispy.
- Once the tofu has drained, remove the wet towels, then slice into even cubes that are about 3/4 inch, or into your desired shape. I make fry-like sticks for my daughter sometimes.
- Add the sliced tofu to a large mixing bowl. Pour the avocado oil over the tofu and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle the tofu with nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper then gently toss or stir to coat evenly. Transfer the tofu to the parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into a single layer, not crowding.
- Bake the tofu for 15 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and flip each piece of tofu over with a spatula, then return it to the oven for an additional 10 - 15 minutes, or until the tofu is crispy, golden, and cooked to your liking. Enjoy!
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