Crispy Baked Tofu

This crispy baked tofu is easy to make and has a delicious golden brown crunch. It’s the tastiest way to make tofu! 

Add this tofu to noodles or a salad. Or eat it over rice, topped with your favorite sauce. We love drizzling these tofu squares with our Peanut Dipping Sauce. 

About The Recipe

This recipe is an easy way to bake tofu. It’s tossed in soy sauce, seasonings and corn starch and then baked in the oven. The best way to describe the taste is like a yummy fried tofu! Soft on the inside, crunch on the outside. 

This tofu has great flavor by itself (eat it as a crunchy snack) or make a batch and use it in your favorite recipes. 

How to Make Crispy Baked Tofu

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the tofu and cut it into cubes.

TIP: Some grocery stores also sell pre-cubed tofu (at the same price point as a block of tofu). This is what I’ve used for this recipe and it saves the step of having to slice up your tofu. 

Step 2:

To get more water out of the tofu, press it between two cutting boards. Add a layer of paper towels (or a thin linen) on top and bottom of the tofu. Add a cutting board on top and bottom of the tofu. Add a weight (a book or heavy skillet) onto the top cutting board so that it applies pressure to the tofu. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes (ideally 30 – 40 minutes).

Why the need to press tofu? The goal is to get all of the moisture out. And especially for this recipe – because we’re making crispy, baked tofu – the less moisture, the better. If your tofu turns out mushy, it may be because there was too much water left in it.

Step 3: 

Add the tofu to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with soy sauce and olive oil. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and ginger. Add the cornstarch to the bowl and toss to coat.

TIP: If you love a little spice with your tofu, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes here. 

Step 4: 

Transfer the tofu to the baking sheet, arranging it in one layer.

Step 5: 

Bake for 25 – 30 minutes, turning the tofu after 10 minutes. Bake until the tofu is browned and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil the tofu for 1 – 2 minutes before removing from the oven.

What Type of Tofu is Best for Baking in the Oven

Extra firm tofu is best for baking in the oven. This is because it’s easiest to slice and will keep its shape as it’s prepared and then baked. It’s also easier to get it crispier in the oven!

If you can’t find extra firm tofu, opt for firm tofu instead. Your grocery store may also have pre-cubed tofu, which will save you the step of slicing it yourself. Look for tofu in the refrigerated section of the produce area. 

How to Press Tofu

Pressing your tofu is a crucial part of this recipe! Pressing the tofu helps to get moisture out and ensure that your tofu will get crispy in the oven.

Here’s how to press tofu: 

• Place paper towels (or a thin linen/towel) on top of a cutting board
• Place your tofu on top of the paper towels
• Add another layer of paper towels on top of the tofu
• Add another cutting board on top of the tofu
• Place a heavy object (like a book or heavy skillet) on top of the cutting board to apply pressure to the tofu. 
• Leave the tofu in the press for at least 10 minutes, ideally 30 minutes. 

Before going through these steps, you can also press a towel into the tofu with your hands, getting out any excess moisture. 

The longer you leave your tofu in the press, the more moisture will be removed. 

How to Serve Crispy Baked Tofu

The options for this tofu recipe are endless! Add it to noodles, a salad, or eat it over rice. Top it with your favorite sauce and enjoy it as a snack. 

Our favorite way to eat it is drizzled in Peanut Dipping Sauce.

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