Friday, January 27, 2023
HomeThai FoodCrispy Baked Garlic Black Pepper Tofu

Crispy Baked Garlic Black Pepper Tofu


Simple crispy baked tofu that’s good for snacking, dipping or including to rice bowls, stir fries, noodles and extra.

Close up of crispy tofu cubes sprinkled with green onion in a bowl.

In regards to the Recipe

Crispy tofu is fast and simple to make within the oven and bakes up with a scrumptious puffy and crisp, golden crust. It’s additionally more healthy than frying and makes use of simply 1 tbsp of oil or you may even make it with out oil.

Oven baked crispy tofu is endlessly customizable too. You should utilize any mixture of spices or toss the baked tofu in peanut sauce, buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce.

Crispy tofu is ideal for dipping, snacking or including to any recipe that makes use of tofu similar to stir fries, noodles and curries.

A pair of chop sticks holding a small cube of crispy tofu over a bowl of baked tofu.

What You’ll Want

Please see the recipe card on the finish of the publish for the entire ingredient listing with measurements. The next sections cowl notes on elements and substitutions and step-by-step directions with images for a visible reference.

Scroll the web page for ideas and different useful data earlier than you begin, then use the recipe card once you’re able to make the recipe.

All the ingredients for making crispy oven baked tofu with garlic powder, onion powder, soy sauce and cornstarch.
  • Tofu: You should utilize agency or additional agency tofu. I truly choose agency tofu as a result of it’s as dry as additional agency tofu. Each work nicely although! Don’t use smooth tofu, medium tofu or silken tofu.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch (corn flour) creates a crispy layer on the tofu, considerably like a breading. You can even use arrowroot starch (powder) however I do discover cornstarch works greatest.
  • Pepper: Recent cracked black pepper goes completely with tofu! Be at liberty to extend it to 1 tsp in the event you love garlic black pepper flavour.
  • Soy Sauce: You should utilize any soy sauce or substitute gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free recipe.
  • Garlic Powder: Garlic and pepper are key! Garlic powder is most well-liked to minced garlic to keep away from little bites of burnt garlic in your tofu.
  • Onion Powder: Non-compulsory. If not utilizing, add an additional 1/2 tsp of garlic powder or substitute different spices like smoked paprika, cumin or curry powder.
  • Olive Oil: The recipe requires 1 tbsp of olive oil. You’ll be able to substitute avocado oil, grape seed oil and even omit the oil. The tofu will get a bit of crispier once you use oil however works nicely with out it too.

Find out how to Make Crispy Tofu

Step 1: Press the tofu.

This includes urgent the tofu to squeeze out extra moisture. You should utilize a tofu press or just wrap the block of tofu in a dish fabric and place a heavy object on it. It’s not completely needed so don’t fear in the event you’re quick on time, you may skip it.

If I do press earlier than baking, I wish to let it drain for Quarter-hour however you may depart it so long as wanted till you’re able to make the recipe.

You’ll be able to even buy pressed tofu, which might additionally work for this recipe.

A block of firm tofu in a tofu press.

Step 2: Dice the tofu.

Dice the tofu block into roughly 3/4-inch cubes. Attempt to preserve all of them about the identical measurement so that they bake evenly. You would additionally do skinny strips or triangles, simply attempt to preserve all of them the identical measurement.

A number of cubes of firm tofu on a cutting board with a knife.

Step 3: Coat tofu.

Add the tofu cubes to a mixing bowl with the oil, soy sauce garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Use a spatula to softly combine till all of the items are coated.

Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and blend once more till all of the cubes are coated.

Cubes of tofu mixed with marinade in a bowl with a spatula in it.

Step 4: Bake the tofu.

Place the tofu cubes on a baking sheet so each bit has room round. Bake the tofu for Quarter-hour, flip, then bake one other 10-Quarter-hour till the tofu is puffy, golden brown and crispy.

Cubes of crispy baked tofu on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

What sort of tofu ought to I take advantage of?

You should utilize agency or additional agency tofu for this recipe. I choose agency tofu however each work nicely.

Can I make crispy tofu in an air fryer?

Sure. To air fry the tofu, cook dinner for about 10 minutes at 380 F, flip or shake, then cook dinner one other 5-10 minutes till crisped to your choice.

Can I pan fry the tofu?

Sure. To make pan-fried crispy tofu, merely fry the tofu in a pan over medium warmth, flipping sometimes, till it’s brown and crispy on all sides.

Can I make crispy tofu with out oil?

Sure! The beauty of baked crispy tofu is you don’t want oil. I included 1 tbsp oil within the recipe as a result of it does come out a bit of crispier that approach however it additionally works with out oil so be at liberty to omit it.

Is crispy tofu gluten-free?

As written the recipe is just not gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, substitute gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.

Can I make crispy tofu with out cornstarch?

Sure. You’ll be able to omit the cornstarch and also you’ll nonetheless get crispy tofu.

The cornstarch provides considerably of a breading, or crisp layer across the tofu cubes. Each methods are good, so be at liberty to strive each out and see which you like!

Do I’ve to press the tofu?

Not essentially. The recipe will nonetheless work with out urgent. I generally skip urgent or simply press it a couple of minutes.

As a result of tofu has water in it, squeezing it out permits the tofu to soak up extra flavour. When you’ve got time, go forward and press it however not an absolute should, particularly for extra-firm tofu (extra tofu and fewer water than smooth, medium, and so forth).

Cubes of crispy tofu on a silicone spoon.

Variations

Strive reducing the tofu into skinny 2-inch lengthy rectangles (skinny strips). It comes out nearly like jerky or bacon. It will get tremendous crispy this manner and makes a fantastic snack!

You can even let it marinate within the soy-garlic-black pepper combination for half-hour for a bit of additional flavour. I like to make use of this technique if I’m making strips for a sandwich or wrap or simply to eat as a crispy, high-protein snack.

Different seasonings that work nicely are:

  • Cajun seasoning
  • Italian seasoning
  • Curry powder
  • Taco seasoning
  • Dietary yeast
  • Lemon or lime
  • Strive including paprika or smoked paprika
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for spicy tofu
  • Add 1-2 tsp sriracha or sambal oelek for spicy tofu
Close up of a bowl of crispy cubes of baked tofu with green onion sprinkled on them.

Recipe Notes

  • Absolutely coat the tofu. I like to recommend utilizing a spatula to softly combine every thing till all of the cubes are coated.
  • Give the tofu area. Be sure that every dice has some area on the baking tray so all sides get crispy (you need air reaching all sides).

Serving Concepts

You should utilize crispy tofu so as to add protein to all types of dishes. It additionally makes a nice facet dish served with a dipping sauce or you may even get pleasure from it as a snack. Listed here are some concepts and recipes this tofu is ideal for:

For dipping sauce, use this teriyaki sauce, peanut sauce, almond satay sauce, coconut peanut sauce, candy chili sauce or any store-bought sauce you get pleasure from.

You can even toss the baked tofu with sauce after baking, strive buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, candy and bitter sauce or peanut sauce. That is good serving the tofu over rice for a easy however tasty meal.

A big bowl of crispy baked tofu cubes sprinkled with green onion.
Cubes of crispy tofu on a plate beside a small bowl of dipping sauce.

Find out how to Retailer

  • Baked tofu is greatest served contemporary. It gained’t be as crispy after storing.
  • Leftovers will preserve within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
  • Get pleasure from chilly or reheat in a pan, oven or within the microwave till scorching. To make it crispy once more, reheat it within the oven at 350 F for 5-10 minutes.

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Description

This crispy oven baked tofu is fast and simple to make and ideal for including protein to soups, salads, noodles, stir fries and extra!



  1. Take away the additional agency tofu from the bundle and drain the water. Place tofu in a tofu press. Should you wouldn’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu in a clear tea towel (or kitchen towel) and place on a reducing board. Place a heavy e-book or skillet on high. Press the tofu for at the least Quarter-hour after which pat dry.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 levels F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Lower the tofu into small cubes about ¾-in measurement then add to a medium-sized bowl.
  4. Add the soy sauce, oil, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the tofu. Gently stir with a spatula to totally coat the tofu.
  5. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and proceed mixing gently till all of the cubes are coated.
  6. Evenly distribute the tofu cubes out on the ready baking sheet, avoiding them touching each other.
  7. Bake at 375 levels F for Quarter-hour, flipping the tofu over and baking for an additional 10-Quarter-hour.
  8. Serve with a dipping sauce or over rice, or add to a stir fry, noodles, curry or anyplace else you’d use tofu. 

Notes

You’ll be able to omit the oil for an oil-free recipe. It will get a bit of crispier once you use oil however nonetheless works nicely with out it. You can even make it with out cornstarch. The cornstarch provides considerably of a breading, or crisp layer across the cubes however the recipe will nonetheless work with out it.

You’ll be able to improve the garlic powder and black pepper as much as 1 tsp in the event you like. Should you’re not utilizing onion powder, add an additional 1/2 tsp of garlic powder.


Diet

  • Serving Dimension: 1
  • Energy: 101
  • Sugar: 0.4 g
  • Sodium: 4.5 mg
  • Fats: 5.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 10.2 g

Key phrases: crispy baked tofu

What to Make Subsequent

Able to strive extra tofu recipes? Listed here are some nice selections for what to make subsequent:



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