Baked tofu is a great low-calorie, low-fat, high protein meatless meal!
A savory marinade, a little time in the oven, and you’ve got delicious tofu bites in no time!
Tofu is a protein-rich addition to salads, soups, and stirfries but with a really great marinade, it stands on its own too!
It is great served on top bed of rice, or cubed and added to a delicious Asian chopped salad!
Ingredients & Variations
TOFU
Firm or extra-firm tofu holds it’s shape best for this recipe.
While you can use regular or medium tofu, keep in mind that the softer the tofu the more water content it has. This will cause it to crumble while cooking and you may also find that the tofu absorbed less of your marinade.
MARINADE
While keeping the base of this marinade the same you can increase or decrease the spice based on how much red chili flakes or ginger you add.
Marinade the tofu for at least 15 minutes but this is one of those recipes that just gets better with time! So leave it longer if time permits for a more flavorful dish.
How To Bake Tofu
Tofu takes well to being marinated but does require a bit of preparation first.
For best results, choose tofu that is labeled extra-firm for this recipe so it stays together without crumbling. Firm or extra-firm is great for stir-fries and soft is good for dips and dressings.
Press Out the Water
Unwrap the tofu and drain any liquid and dab the tofu dry. Next, you’ll want to squeeze out the excess moisture.
While you can actually buy a tofu press, I place it on a plate with a couple of paper towels. I add a couple more paper towels on top and add a small stack of plates (or a heavy pan) on top. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (longer if time allows).
Once the tofu has drained, it can be marinated. Excessive marinating will not break down the tofu, just the opposite! The flavors develop even further!
- Slice the brick of tofu into 1” strips and then the strips into 1” pieces. Gently blot away excess moisture.
- Whisk together marinade ingredients and marinate tofu (per recipe below).
- Bake tofu bites until browned and crispy.
Remove from oven and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Then serve over a bed of rice and stir-fry veggies!
Can You Freeze Tofu?
Tofu is super easy to freeze and even thaws better after it’s been marinated!
Freeze tofu whole in its unopened packaged or cut the tofu into the size you want. Freeze the pieces on a baking sheet and store them in a zippered bag with the date labeled on it. It should keep about two months in the freezer. Perfect for those last-minute meals!
More Take Out Favorites
- Asian Chopped Salad – crisp healthy meal!
- Ramen Noodle Salad – potluck favorite
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps – healthy fun option!
- Sesame Ramen Noodles – full of flavor
- Asian Noodle Salad – quick & tasty!
Have you tried this Baked Tofu dish? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Baked Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 pound firm tofu
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili paste Sambal Oelek
Garnish
- toasted sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Open tofu and drain liquid. Place tofu on paper towels and place a couple more paper towels on top. Place a heavy object or pan on the tofu. Drain 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and top with parchment paper.
- Slice tofu into 1" slices and cut each slice into 1" cubes. Gently press tofu between pieces of paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.
- Whisk remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Add tofu and marinate at least 15 minutes (longer is better).
- Place tofu in a baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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is the nutritional information for one piece of tofu or ? I really wish you would add this information to just above where the nutrition information starts. I’ve asked before but I’ve never gotten a response from any one.
Hi Nancy, yes the nutritional information is for 1 piece. You can find this info under ‘Servings’ in the recipe card.