Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (2024)

By: AlyssaRating 29 Comments on Herb Crusted Baked Tofu

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This easy herb crusted tofu recipe is the perfect vegan entree! It's packed with flavor, is super simple to make, but also feels a little special at the same time. It's a great option for the holidays too!

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (1)

this recipe

I've always wanted to make the perfect crispy baked tofu. Not fried tofu, baked. Because baked is obviously healthier and I'm also not a frier. It scares me for some reason.

I've nailed tofu a few times before but it's always involved pressing the tofu, drying it, marinating, then baking. Just too many steps without the guaranteed result I'm looking for.

Until this recipe. Now, THIS recipe is perfect. And it works every single time. We're making herb crusted tofu that is crispy, golden brown, flavorful and also easy to make. It's great for the holidays, it's great for lunch and it's even great on top of salads!

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (2)

Ingredients for Herb Crusted Tofu

We don't need anything crazy for this recipe. Just extra firm tofu, some olive oil, and our dry herbed coating. I wanted to make sure it was really flavorful, so I combined nutritional yeast and spices. And it's awesome!

Here's what we need for our dry herb mixture:

  • quinoa flour
  • nutritional yeast
  • Italian seasoning
  • garlic powder
  • sage
  • smoked paprika

And of course a little salt and pepper. This is a mixture that has it all – salty, cheesy, herby and smoky all at the same time!

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (3)

How to Make Herb Crusted Tofu

To make our crispy baked tofu we're going to follow the same steps that you would do if you were breading chicken, except we're keeping things vegan. Once you've sliced your tofu into steaks, you'll want to set up your assembly line for the breading.

The steps you're going to take are:

  1. Coat the tofu in olive oil. I've found that olive oil works better than almond milk, but if you're oil-free I think you could do it with almond milk. And if you're not vegan you could do it with a beaten egg!
  2. Roll it in the dry ingredients. I like to place the tofu in the bowl and then use a spoon and my hands to make sure that it's fully coated on all sides. You might want to also press the coating into the tofu to really help make it stick.
  3. Bake it up! Then just place it on a pan and bake it up until it's golden brown and crispy.

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (4)

The Ultimate Crispy Baked Tofu Recipe

This truly is the ultimate crispy baked tofu recipe. I know those exist out on the internet already, but this one takes the cake for me.

You have a flavorful outer coating that is golden brown and then when you cut into it, you still have that soft tofu texture. It's meaty, without being dry.

And did I mention the flavor? Gosh, it's the best part! The combo of spices with the nutritional yeast gives it this really unique flavor that is cheesy and salty, but still bright and herbaceous. I don't curse often, but this is SO DAMN GOOD.

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (5)

Ways to Serve Crispy Baked Tofu

Now let's talk about the different ways you can serve this gorgeous tofu! I like to think of this recipe as something a little special; perfect for the holidays.

I purposely have it in this photo with some traditional vegan Thanksgiving sides because it's my favorite vegan entree for Thanksgiving. It's a cinch to make, people love it and it's you won't miss the turkey one bit with this on your plate.

Some of my favorite ways to serve this:

  • with a drizzle of garlic tahini sauce with a side of garlic green beans
  • piled high with vegan mushroom gravy with a side of mashed potatoes
  • in a “leftovers” sandwich with cranberry sauce and vegan cornbread stuffing
  • cut up into squares and added to a salad

But you can also make this any time of year! It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving ???? feel free to also change up the spice mixture if you want a different flavor profile. It could be delicious with some Mexican spices or maybe even curry!

If you do end up making it, snap a photo and share it with me in your stories by tagging @simplyquinoa!

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (6)

More Vegan Holiday Dinner Ideas:

  • Butternut Squash Vegan Lasagna
  • Perfect Vegan Meatballs
  • Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato
  • Easy Vegan Manicotti with Tofu Ricotta

Herb Crusted Tofu

4.6 from 43 votes

This easy herb crusted tofu recipe is the perfect vegan entree! It's packed with flavor, is super simple to make, but also feels a little special at the same time. It's a great option for the holidays too!

author: Alyssa

yield: 6 servings

Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (7)

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Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

  • Cut the tofu into steaks, about 1/2" thick. Each block should get you about 6 steaks. Set aside.

  • In shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the dry ingredients.

  • Now, set up your assembly line! Put the olive oil in another shallow dish. First, coat a tofu steak in oil. Then place the tofu in the bowl of the dry ingredients and coat the tofu with the dry mixture. Place the steak on a baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the tofu.

  • When ready to bake, place the baking sheet in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for another 15 - 20. You want the tofu to be golden brown and crispy.

  • Serve tofu with your favorite sauce (I love a garlic tahini sauce!) and your favorite vegetable side dish. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 2steaks | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg

cuisine: American

course: Entree

★★★★★

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Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (8)

Filed Under:

  • Dairy Free
  • Dinner
  • Flexitarian
  • Gluten-Free
  • Oven
  • Recipes
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Herb Crusted Baked Tofu Recipes | Simply Quinoa (2024)

FAQs

Why is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

Why won't my tofu get crisp? This could likely be a result of not drying out the tofu enough to drain out the extra moisture. It's also possible that your oven temperature is not hot enough. Make sure it's preheated and heat the pan in the oven for extra crispness.

How to make tofu crispy like a restaurant? ›

There are a few tricks to perfect tofu. First, tossing cubed tofu with cornstarch will help you get a crispier exterior when baking or stir-frying. Pressing the block of tofu to eliminate excess moisture also helps. And you'll want to make sure you're using high enough heat.

How do you cook tofu so it's not rubbery? ›

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

What is a substitute for cornstarch in baked tofu? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

Why is my tofu not crispy air fryer? ›

If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary! Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it's crisp and browned around the edges.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

Why does restaurant tofu taste different? ›

This difference in taste is largely due to one key ingredient: salt. In the culinary world, salt is a key flavor enhancer that unlocks and elevates the natural tastes of food. When it comes to tofu, which is naturally quite mild-tasting, salt becomes a critical component in transforming it into something delicious.

What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

What goes well with tofu? ›

What to serve with tofu. These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles.

Why is my baked tofu rubbery? ›

Why does tofu get rubbery? Because it was probably overcooked, it was probably exposed to too much heat. I don't know if it was roasted baked air fried or sauteed, but when it becomes, uh, overcooked, it's gonna get very, very tough.

Why isn't my tofu getting crispy in the oven? ›

First off, you may have not baked your tofu at a high enough temperature. High heat is important for getting your tofu to turn out nice and crispy. Aside from that, I think it's important to coat the tofu in something to help it crisp up.

How to season tofu? ›

Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with flavor. Alternatively, you can skip this step and season the tofu right before cooking with a dash of salt and pepper or paprika and chili flakes.

Can you eat raw tofu? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

Why is my tofu so mushy after cooking? ›

So here are our kitchen secrets that will keep your tofu from being rubbery, bland, or just plain mushy and tasteless.
  1. Buy the right kind of tofu.
  2. Press your tofu before cooking.
  3. Use small pieces.
  4. Use oil-free marinades.
  5. Marinate your tofu thoroughly.
  6. Use the right breading.
Mar 9, 2021

How do you bake tofu to dry it out? ›

Arrange tofu on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and bake for a total of 25-35 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking. This will dry out the tofu and help give it a more meat-like texture. If you want a tougher texture, cook it for 30-35.

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