Crispy Baked Tofu
This crispy baked tofu is one of our staple easy tofu recipes! Pair it with any of your favorite sauces and veggies to make a delicious crispy tofu stir fry. Try it with my sweet and spicy Gochujang Sauce!
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Servings: 5 servings
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Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- baking tray
- parchment or silicone baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 (14 to 16 oz) block firm or extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons potato starch or cornstarch, arrowroot starch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder optional
Instructions
Press the Tofu
- Drain the block of tofu and use your favorite method to press it for about 10-15 minutes. I like to use a tofu press for the best results, but if you don't have one, you can simply wrap it in a clean, lint-free kitchen towel and carefully weigh it down with a flat object like a small cutting board.
- Once your tofu has been pressed, cut it into roughly 1" cubes, or tear it into bite-sized pieces. (I prefer to tear mine, because the irregular pieces develop a nice crispy, craggy texture that holds sauce even better.)
Season the Tofu
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- Transfer the pressed tofu to a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle on the onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Try to be gentle with the tofu so that the cubes stay intact. I find using a big rubber spatula helps. (Or, if you have a container with a lid, you can simply give everything a gentle shake to coat.)
- Sprinkle the starch over the seasoned tofu. Again, gently toss or shake until tofu is evenly coated, with no dry starch left at the bottom of the bowl.
Bake the Tofu
- Arrange the tofu on your prepared baking sheet so that the pieces aren't touching.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then give the pieces a flip. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the tofu is golden brown and crispy. The time will vary a little depending on how thoroughly you pressed your tofu.
- Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite sauce.
Notes
- Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it. You may also need to add a few extra minutes to the cook time as medium-firm tofu contains more water.
- Other seasonings: Feel free to get creative and add your favorite spices. Some ideas are: curry powder, taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or nutritional yeast. You can also drizzle in a tablespoon of soy sauce (in step 3) for extra umami. Reduce the salt by half if you do.
- Air Fryer: If you'd prefer to cook your tofu in the air fryer, check out our Easy Crispy Air Fryer Tofu recipe.
Did you make this recipe?We’d love for you to leave a review on the website! You can also share a photo on IG and tag @sarahsvegankitchen_ or #sarahsvegankitchen.