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baked tofu dipped in sauce

Baked Tofu (Perfectly Crispy!)

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: vegan
Keyword: baked tofu
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 188kcal
Author: Megan Gilmore
Baked tofu turns out perfectly crispy every time, and is a great source of vegetarian protein. Serve it over salads, in pasta, or with peanut sauce as an appetizer!
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Ingredients

  • 1 (14 oz.) block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (I use Real Salt brand; use less to reduce sodium)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the tofu, then cut it in half lengthwise, making two thinner pieces.
    tofu sliced in half
  • Set a towel down on the counter, then place the two tofu pieces on one side of the towel. Fold the other side over, sandwiching the tofu in the middle of the towel. Place something heavy on top of the towel, like a cast iron skillet, to help "press" the moisture out of the tofu. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
    tofu pressed with cast iron skillet
  • Remove the tofu from the towel, cut it into 1-inch cubes, transfer the cubes to a bowl, and toss them with the sesame oil. In a separate small bowl, stir together the salt, garlic, and cayenne, then sprinkle it over the tofu. Stir well to season.
  • Sprinkle the arrowroot starch over the tofu, and stir until the powder is no longer visible. Pour the tofu onto the prepared baking sheet, and arrange it so that none of the cubes are touching each other. Bake at 400ºF for 20 minutes.
    seasoned tofu spread out on baking sheet
  • Remove the pan from the oven, flip the tofu pieces over, and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the tofu is golden on the outside. Serve it warm right away, with your favorite dipping sauce, or add it to your favorite meal for extra protein. Leftover tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    crispy baked tofu served on black plate

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 2 total servings. This information is just an estimate, and not a guarantee.
Feel free to use any other seasonings you like for this recipe. I use a full teaspoon of salt to make sure the tofu has plenty of flavor (the saltiness pairs really well with the peanut sauce!) but you can always use less if you would prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1288mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg