Crispy Baked Tofu – Nora Cooks

Tofu skeptics, this is for you! Chunks of plain tofu are seasoned and coated in cornstarch before being baked to crunchy, meaty and golden perfection. You’ll be a tofu lover in no time!

If you want to learn more ways to cook tofu that actually taste good, check out my Marinated Tofu, Air Fryer Tofu, and Perfect Fried Tofu recipes while you’re here!

Are you still trying to figure out how to make tofu taste better? Want to convince tofu haters that it’s a delicious plant-based protein? Are you looking for more ways to spruce up this flavor sponge?

You’re in luck because this baked tofu recipe Watery soy transforms blocks to crispy perfection! They make a perfect substitute for chicken in all kinds of recipes, from stir fries to butter chicken.

After trying my Crispy Baked Tofu you may never look at tofu the same way again. This is a simple recipe that starts by coating tofu pieces in cornstarch and 4 simple seasonings, then baking them in the oven until golden and crispy.

It’s a great place to start when you want to learn tofu basics or when you need protein to add to salads, grain bowls, and noodle dishes.

What is the secret of crispy tofu?

The only way to achieve crispy baked tofu is to:

1. Press all excess moisture from the tofu ahead of time: Pressing the tofu before baking in the oven is important because the less water the tofu has, the smoother and crisper its texture will be.
2. Coat each piece in a thin layer of cornstarch: Cornstarch sticks to the outside of the tofu as it bakes, giving each piece a crunchy, golden exterior.

Follow these two steps and you’ll be whipping up game-changing tofu in no time!

Required components (including substitutions)

• firm tofu – You need to use firm or extra firm tofu. Both contain very little water, meaning your baked tofu pieces will be firm, meaty and tender.
• olive oil – Baking tofu in the oven means you’ll use less oil than the pan-fried version. This helps the seasonings stick to the outside and adds flavor to each slice. However, if you want to bake tofu without oil, you can leave it out.
• garlic powder – For a delightfully savory and garlicky flavor.
• Smoked paprika – Or use regular paprika if you already have it at home.
• Salt and pepper
• Cornstarch – Coating the tofu pieces in a layer of cornstarch makes each piece deliciously crispy. No cornstarch at home? Either omit it from the recipe or replace it with arrowroot powder instead.

How to Bake Tofu

Find the full recipe with measurements on the recipe card below.

Begin by pressing the bricks of tofu to drain all excess water. You can do this by wrapping it in a layer of paper towels, then weighing it down with a heavy pan or book or a tofu press. Drain it for at least 30 minutes.

Next, slice the brick into 4. Cut each slice into bite-sized pieces*.

*I find that shredding the tofu pieces gives more texture than dicing them.

Place the shredded pieces in a bowl and top with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.

Sprinkle cornstarch on top and toss again.

Make sure the seasoning and cornstarch are in all the nooks and crannies, continuing to toss until they are evenly coated. Be gentle when tossing – tofu is fragile and can break easily!

Arrange the seasoned tofu pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake in the oven until they are golden and crispy, then enjoy!

Tips for success

• Pressing all the water out of the tofu is the key to a meaty texture! This will also prevent the pieces from falling apart or breaking. Try not to skip this step.
• Make sure the pieces are not overlapping or touching each other on the baking sheet. Leaving some space between each piece will result in a crispier tofu.
• Slices only need to be turned once during baking.
• to save – Leftover baked tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To serve, either eat slices chilled or reheat in a 375ºF oven or air fryer until hot.

Serving advice

variety

The best way to use baked tofu in everything is to simply season it Garlic powder, salt and pepper. But you can easily swap out these or the spices on the recipe card for any of these suggestions:

• Taco seasoning
• Za’atar seasoning
• Greek spices
• Soy sauce, rice vinegar, and/or sesame oil
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• curry masala
• Nutritional Scream

Or make marinated baked tofu! Marinating tofu with simple spices before baking is a fun way to infuse extra layers of flavor into each piece. Check out my marinated tofu recipe for tips and flavor ideas.

Want more incredible tofu recipes?