This tasty baked tofu recipe is perfectly seasoned, easy to make, and healthy to boot. Ready in under 30 minutes, the tofu texture is perfection - succulent and meaty on the inside with a crunchy golden crust on the outside.

Baked tofu cubes on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

We are BIG fans of tofu recipes at our house, I cook tofu A LOT and everyone loves it (now). Tofu is a healthy vegan protein, ultra quick and easy to make, inexpensive, and super versatile. Here's a few of the many ways to prepare tofu:

Air fried tofu is the quickest, least fussy, healthy way to cook crispy tofu.
Sizzling pan fried tofu is hands down the crispiest way to cook tofu for irresistibly crispy tofu and epic crunchiness.
Baked tofu is one of the easiest and best tofu recipes to make. It yields a batch of the most succulent tofu with tender pillowy insides and gorgeous crispy crusts! It's perfect for adding to salads, ramen, tacos, stir fries, Buddha bowls and so much more. My current favorite variation of oven baked tofu is Crispy Vegan Sausage Crumbles - impossible to stop eating!

Try one of these 3 EASY tofu cooking methods for the tofu lovers and tofu skeptics in your life - they won't be disappointed (and neither will you), I promise.

Ingredients with Substitutions

Cooking with tofu is quick, healthy, and delicious (great for meal prep!). It's inexpensive and readily available at the supermarket in the refrigerated aisle (usually near produce, cheese or deli). Here's what you'll need to make this crispy baked tofu recipe:

Ingredients in bowls for baked tofu recipe.

Extra-firm tofu: Can use firm if no extra firm tofu available (talking to you, January!)
Soy sauce: For rich umami, salty flavor. Sub with gluten-free soy sauce, tamari or low sodium soy sauce.
Sambal oelek: Asian chili paste that adds a kick of heat. Can sub with sriracha or skip altogether to suit your taste.
Basic seasonings: I always use garlic powder (or onion powder) and coarse black pepper, but there's no limit to the kinds of seasonings you can add (see below for more ideas).
Olive oil: I like olive oil, but any oil can be subbed in for olive oil or skip it if oil free.
Cornstarch: One of the secrets to the crispiest tofu coating.
Nutritional yeast: This is an optional ingredient but adds a ton of flavor - I love it!

How to Cook Tofu

Crispy baked tofu makes the perfect substitute for chicken in any recipe (it's a great source of protein too)! And the process is super simple (great recipe for beginners!). Here's the step by step instructions for cooking tofu that tastes good!:

Block of tofu cut into cubes with a knife. Block of tofu broken into pieces by hand.

Drain the tofu: Wrap the block of tofu in some paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Gently squeeze out any excess moisture from the tofu. Pat dry.
Cut or break the tofu: Once the tofu is prepped, cut or break it into ~1" pieces then place them into a large bowl.

Two photos mixing tofu marinade on tofu. Sprinkling cornstarch on the marinated tofu.

Marinade the tofu: Add the tofu marinade ingredients (soy sauce, sambal oelek, oil, garlic, coarse black pepper) to the bowl then toss to coat.
Coat the tofu: Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, toss to coat completely. If the marinade is still juicy, add another tablespoon of cornstarch. The tofu should be sticky and completely coated (not juicy and wet).

Cubes of seasoned, marinated tofu on a baking sheet ready for baking.

Cooking the tofu: Transfer the tofu pieces to a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer with space between. Bake the tofu at 400º F until the golden, crispy crust forms ~18 minutes total (flipping after 12 minutes). Voilà, the most delicious, perfectly cooked and irresistible tofu dish!
Dig in: Garnish and enjoy immediately.

Crispy, golden brown baked tofu nuggets on a baking sheet.

Pro Tips & Variations

I didn't always love tofu like I do now - I've learned a lot along the way. Here's some of my best tips and advice for newbies so you can make the best crispy, baked tofu:

Epic crunch: Option step for extra crispy tofu - add a drizzle of oil to the parchment-covered baking sheet. Spread it evenly over entire sheet before adding the tofu pieces.
Make it oil free: If you follow an oil-free diet, this healthy baked tofu recipe is still super delicious made without oil - just skip it. We enjoy this tofu recipe oil-free often.
Tofu seasonings and marinades: There are lots of ways to make tofu taste good! I recommend layering the flavors. Start by seasoning the tofu ie. add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning mix to this basic tofu recipe eg. taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, sage and onion seasoning or Buffalo spice to name a few. Or soak the tofu cubes in your favorite tofu marinade for 15+ minutes before coating and baking. Don't forget a finishing sauce or dip to add layers of flavor to tofu as well!
Baking tofu: Many things can impact how baked tofu turns out. Here's the top few: Type of tofu - softer tofu doesn't crisp up as well. Your sheet pan including what it's made of and how dark it is. Darker pans cook the tofu faster and browner. How hot your oven runs - mine is gas so it won't perform the same as electric ovens.

MILLION DOLLAR TIP: Don't overcook your tofu! Overcooked tofu is rubbery and dry (not great). In my experience, newbies to tofu prefer a firmer tofu texture (well done) at first. To achieve that, cook the tofu for a few extra minutes or cut it into smaller cubes which creates a firmer, meaty texture. When you first start cooking tofu recipes, I recommend tasting it periodically as you're cooking until you find the perfect combination of time, temperature, and texture to suit your taste (rare, medium or well done). This tofu recipe is ~medium.

Crispy crusted, oven baked tofu. — Mouth watering, Italian-crusted baked tofu. It's the best!

FAQ - Tofu

Tofu may taste like nothing special on its own, but transforming it into something special starts with selecting, preparing, and seasoning it properly. Let's get into the details:

What is tofu anyway?: Tofu is just boiled soybeans that are curdled and then the water is pressed out. The more water pressed out, the firmer the tofu texture is.
Which tofu texture should I use?: For this baked tofu recipe (and most tofu main dishes), go for the extra firm or firm varieties. Extra-firm tofu has a denser/firmer texture because of its lower water content unlike softer types of tofu like medium and silken tofu.
To press or not to press tofu: Typically I don't press extra firm tofu that comes in a vacuum pack. I just wrap it with paper towels and gently squeeze any excess water from it. For softer tofu, pressing is recommended. Use a tofu press if you have one or wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel, stack a few cookbooks on top for 15-30 minutes.
Seasoning tofu: Tofu has a neutral taste on its own, but it's super flavorful when seasoned properly. Tofu can be seasoned with dry rubs, marinades, sauces or dips (some suggestions below).
Tofu Guide: For a deeper dive into all things tofu, check out my comprehensive tofu guide for beginners.

Make it a Meal!

Once you've made a batch of tofu, you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy it! Here's a few ideas for how to serve tofu:

In a bowl: Top up a Buddha bowl or spicy Thai Peanut Noodles.
Elevate your salads: Bump up the plant protein in your favorite salad like Thai Crunch Salad, Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad or Mason Salad Jars for a healthy lunch.
Tossed in a finishing sauce: Try orange sauce, ginger sesame sauce or teriyaki sauce. Pair it with a refreshing cucumber salad.
As an appetizer: Serve baked tofu bites with your favorite dipping sauce like sweet and spicy tahini, vegan ranch, creamy chipotle sauce or peanut hoisin sauce to name a few.
As a snack: Grab a handful (warm or cold) and enjoy as a snack.

Plateful of crispy baked tofu cubes and bowlful of ranch dressing.

The Best Tofu Recipes

Whether you air fry tofu, pan fry it, shred it, crumble it or bake it, tofu makes a delicious plant-based, high protein meal in minutes. Here's some of my family's favorite tofu recipes:

If you tried this Succulent Baked Tofu recipe, please leave a rating and review below! Follow along on Instagram and sign up for my Sunday morning newsletter for tips on how to make vegan food taste incredible.

Oven Baked Tofu (The Best!)

This ultra easy Baked Tofu recipe is my favorite way to cook tofu! Ready in under 30 minutes, it's super succulent and meaty with a crispy crust. Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings, tofu marinades or finishing sauces. Great tofu recipe for beginners!

Author : Tracy Halasz

Servings: servings

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Prep Time 8

Cook Time 18

INGREDIENTS

12 ounce tofu block, extra firm
2 tablespoons soy sauce (tamari if gluten free)
2 teaspoons sambal oelek (or sriracha)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or onion powder)
½ - 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1-2 tablespoons cornstarch
1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Drain the tofu: Wrap tofu (12-16 ounce block) in a clean kitchen towel, gently squeeze out any extra water and pat dry. If your tofu is softer, it would benefit from being pressed. (see notes).
Preheat the oven to 400º F.
Prepping the tofu: Cut or break the tofu into ~1" pieces. Place in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the soy sauce, sambal, garlic powder, black pepper, and oil over the tofu and toss to coat using a large spoon or your hands.
Seasoning the tofu: Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (if using) and toss to coat. Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon cornstarch over the tofu and toss again to coat the tofu completely. If the tofu is still wet/juicy, add another 1 tablespoon cornstarch and mix until the tofu is coated and sticky (see photos). No dry spots.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil* (or spray with cooking spray) and spread evenly over the surface. Arrange tofu on the baking sheet in a single layer with space between. *The oil is optional.
Bake the tofu at 400º F for 12 minutes. Flip the tofu pieces over and return to the oven for an additional 6 minutes. Bake for additional time for a more well done tofu texture.
Storage: Store leftover tofu in an airtight contain in the fridge all week. It won't be crispy the next day, but it's very delicious and the texture is excellent.
Reheating tofu: To bring the crispness back to baked tofu, pop it into an air fryer at 380ºF for ~2 minutes until heated through.

NOTES

Do I have to press the tofu?: If using extra firm* or super firm tofu, you can typically get away without press it. If the tofu is firm or medium firm (which means it is less compressed and therefore has a higher water content) or if it feels soft (saturated), it will benefit from being pressed.

*In my experience, not all extra firm and super firm tofu is created equally. So some Brands of extra firm tofu can still be pretty soft (looking at you Costco), in that case, go ahead and press it for the crispiest baked tofu. If you live in Canada and use Sunrise Soya Tofu, their extra firm tofu in the vacuum pack is very firm and compressed (I don't press it.).

How to press tofu: Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel (or paper towels) and stack a few heavy cookbooks or a heavy cast iron skillet on top. Or use a tofu press if you have one. Let the towel absorb the excess water for ~15 minutes (or longer) while you prepare the other recipe components.

Nutritional yeast: If you're not familiar with nutritional yeast yet, it's described as having a cheesy flavor. I'm not so sure it's cheesy, but I do know it adds A LOT of incredible savory flavor to vegan recipes. I recommend trying it if you haven't. I like Bob's, but there are lots of brands out there (FYI - it's not bread yeast).

How long to bake tofu?: Many things affect cooking time: how wet the tofu is, how hot your oven runs, the size of the tofu pieces, your personal tofu texture preference. Use this baked tofu recipe as a guideline, then tweak the oven temperature higher or lower or adjust the cooking time until you get the perfect tofu texture for your taste. After you make this tofu once or twice, you'll find the ideal time and temperature for your oven.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a rating and/or review below. Your feedback means a lot to me, and helps others find my recipes! Please tag me on IG @ceeceecooks - I LOVE seeing what you're cooking!

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