Description
This recipe for the BEST Crispy Tofu delivers golden, crunchy tofu pieces baked to perfection. With a flavorful marinade of toasted sesame oil, tamari, garlic, maple syrup, and rice wine vinegar, the tofu gets perfectly coated and crispy thanks to arrowroot powder. It's an easy, healthy, and vegan-friendly dish that's ideal as a snack, appetizer, or protein addition to your meals.
Ingredients
Tofu and Marinade
- 1 (14 oz) container extra firm tofu, patted dry and pressed for at least 15 minutes
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, or your favorite oil
- 1 teaspoon tamari, or soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
Coating
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder, or corn starch
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and marinade: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the toasted sesame oil, tamari, garlic powder, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, and salt until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
- Press and cut the tofu: After pressing the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Add the tofu pieces to the bowl with the marinade and gently stir or fold them to ensure every piece is fully coated with the mixture.
- Add the arrowroot powder coating: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the arrowroot powder over the tofu and mix thoroughly so all pieces are coated. Then add the remaining teaspoon of arrowroot powder and gently mix just until the powder is no longer visible, which helps create a crispy exterior when baked.
- Arrange tofu on baking sheet: Line a large baking sheet with a non-stick mat or parchment paper. Spread the tofu pieces evenly on the sheet, making sure that none are touching to allow for even crisping.
- Bake the tofu: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring or flipping the tofu 2-3 times during baking to ensure all sides become golden and crispy.
- Rest and serve: Once baked, let the tofu sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet to crisp up even more before serving. Enjoy your perfectly crispy baked tofu as a snack or add it to your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu for at least 15 minutes is essential to remove moisture and achieve maximum crispiness.
- If you don’t have arrowroot powder, cornstarch can be used as a substitute for the crispy coating.
- Be sure to space the tofu pieces apart on the baking sheet to allow hot air to circulate and crisp all sides.
- This tofu is great tossed into salads, grain bowls, stir-fries, or served with dipping sauces.
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the tofu for longer before baking, up to overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
