Crispy Baked Tofu With Sesame-Soy Glaze
Pressed, cornstarch-coated tofu baked until golden and crisp, then tossed in a sticky sesame-soy glaze. A high-protein vegan dinner with simple steps.
By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished
1 hr total About 4 cupsEasy
Photo: Geoff Peters 604 · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.
About this recipe
Getting tofu really crisp at home comes down to three things: pressing out the water, coating the cubes in a little cornstarch and baking them in a hot oven with enough space between each piece.
Toss the golden cubes in a quick sesame, soy and maple glaze and serve over rice with steamed greens, or add them to stir-fries, noodle bowls and salads.
Equipment you'll need
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Clean kitchen towels and a heavy pan for pressing
Tips for success
- Extra-firm tofu crisps best; silken or soft tofu will not hold its shape.
- Tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces instead of cutting for more craggy, crispy edges.
- Glaze just before serving; the coating softens as it sits.
Substitutions and variations
- Use an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking twice.
- Toss with buffalo sauce, peanut sauce or sweet chilli sauce instead of the glaze.
- Use arrowroot or potato starch instead of cornstarch.
Storage and reheating
To store: Refrigerate for up to 4 days (it will soften). Unglazed baked tofu can be frozen for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Recrisp in a 400°F (200°C) oven or air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes.
Recipe
Crispy Baked Tofu With Sesame-Soy Glaze
Pressed, cornstarch-coated tofu baked until golden and crisp, then tossed in a sticky sesame-soy glaze. A high-protein vegan dinner with simple steps.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Press tofu
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 hr
- Yield
- About 4 cups
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Tick off ingredients as you gather them.
Tofu
Sesame-soy glaze
Instructions
Step 1: Press the tofu
Wrap each block in a clean towel, set on a plate and place a heavy pan on top. Press for at least 20 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Heat the oven
Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line the baking sheet with parchment.
Step 3: Coat
Toss the tofu with the soy sauce and oil, then sprinkle with the cornstarch and garlic powder and toss gently until evenly coated.
Step 4: Bake
Spread the cubes out in a single layer with space between them. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
Step 5: Glaze
Warm the glaze ingredients in a large skillet over medium heat until bubbling, about 1 minute. Add the tofu and toss for 30 seconds to coat.
Step 6: Serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions and serve straight away.
Cuisine: Asian-inspired · Course: Dinner
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
- Sugars
- 1 g
Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.
tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/crispy-tofu
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