How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Tofu

After sitting down and doing some research, I realized I have been going about tofu all wrong. After some trial and error, I am happy to share this post on How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Tofu that turns out perfect every time!

All About Tofu

There are several different types of tofu ranging from silken (soft) to extra-firm. Each of  these types are specific to what recipe you will be cooking. For instance, silken tofu is great for putting into smoothies for a protein boost, creating low fat desserts or making dips and dressings. Extra-firm and firm tofu hold up best for stir-fry’s or crispy “fried” tofu.

The biggest secret of all is to make sure you remove as much moisture as possible. This can be hard, but I have a few tricks! You want to start by pressing the tofu between your palms over the sink to drain. Now, place a tea towel or paper towel on top. Next, put something heavy on top like a large can of tomatoes to squeeze out the extra moisture inside.

Once you have removed as much moisture as you can, cut the tofu into cubes.

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Place a sheet of parchment on a baking tray and lay out the tofu. In a large bowl or plastic ziploc bag, toss the tofu cubes in olive oil, soy sauce and arrowroot starch or flour (optional). Gently massage the tofu until well coated.

I use Tamari instead of Soy Sauce to avoid gluten. It tastes almost identical and I can tell a difference when I don’t consume gluten. Some say to go ahead and cook the tofu before adding the soy sauce, but either way is fine. Just make sure you soak it well in sauce before or after.

Place on baking sheet with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes (tossing halfway) until tofu has crispy deep golden brown edges. I find that 28 minutes is the exact cooking time for my oven.

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The Truth About Tofu

Tofu is such a healthy addition to your diet, because it makes a dish high in protein and low in fat. It has gotten a bad wrap with some findings suggesting that compounds that it contains could promote growth of some cancer cells, impair female fertility and mess with thyroid function. You can read more about via this Good Housekeeping article that really shines light on the benefits of soy, especially tofu. You do want to be sure that you are buying organic tofu however, since most soy is treated with pesticides. 

And after you do your research, go check out my Crispy Tofu Stuffed Sweet and Spicy Acorn Squash post for one of my favorite ways to enjoy Cripsy Oven Baked Tofu!