With these helpful restaurant tips you’ll learn the secret to making bold, flavorful baked tofu every time! A healthy plant-based protein to add to dishes you are already making! Video.
Back when we had our vegetarian restaurant, big batches of tofu were always baking in the oven. We’d prep large commercial-sized sheet pans simultaneously with different flavored marinades and always had these on hand for tacos, bowls, salads and our fresh spring rolls.
After decades of perfecting our baked tofu recipes, both at the restaurant and in our catering business, I thought I would share a few tips.
Want to know the secret to the best-baked tofu? It’s the marinade! Tofu is like a sponge- it soaks up what you put on it. So if you don’t season it enough or salt it enough, yes, it can be bland- we’ve all experienced that. Please, let’s not do that here!
With our easy instructions, I’ll show you how to bake tofu like a pro!
Baked tofu Ingredients (and what tofu to buy!)
Tofu: Always opt for firm or extra firm tofu located in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. High-protein tofu or sprouted tofu are also a great option. Try to purchase organic, non-GMO tofu whenever possible. I love this organic sprouted extra-firm tofu at Trader Joe’s.
Marinade Options
- Sesame Ginger Tofu – Made with soy sauce (or coconut aminos or tamari) sesame oil, miso, ginger, garlic and chili paste.
- Baked Spicy BBQ Tofu– Made with barbecue sauce and sriracha sauce.
- Mexican Style Baked Tofu – made with olive oil, chipotle, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder,
- Try our Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
- Try our Peanut Tofu Marinade
- Try our Gochujang Tofu Marinade
- Try our Szechuan Sauce!
How to make the best Baked tofu (instructions)
Step one: Cut the tofu.
Tofu can be cut into various-sized pieces- cubes, strips, or even “filets,” depending on how you plan to use them.
- Cut tofu into long, narrow strips for spring rolls and tacos.
- Cut tofu cubes for grain bowls, stir fries, curries or salads.
- Cut into big “filets” or slabs to use as a “main” or in sandwiches.
If making tacos, cut them into long strips at least a ½ inch thick.
If adding to bowls or salads, cut them into cubes.
You can also cut the tofu into “filets” or larger slabs, ¾ inch thick.
Step two: Blot, but don’t overdo it!
Lightly blot the tofu of excess moisture with paper towels. A word of caution- you may see recipes that call for squeezing out all the excess moisture- and I would counsel against this! This will leave you with very dry, overly chewy tofu. A little moisture is good here.
Step three: Make your marinade.
We have three marinade recipes here in the recipe card for you, and a few more of our favorites are below. Feel free to create your own versions!
Step four: Bath the tofu in the marinade.
Season your tofu with salt, then toss or coat all sides of your tofu with your marinade and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Parchment paper truly makes cleanup easy here!
Tip: You can even place different cuts of tofu with different marinades on the same sheet pan to use for different meals throughout the week.
Step five: Bake!
Place the marinated tofu in a 400 F oven and bake it for 30-35 minutes. Use the convection setting for extra crisp texture.
The baked tofu comes out crispy and full of flavor.
Baked tofu Storage Suggestions
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350F oven, or toaster oven.
More Tofu Recipes you may enjoy!
Watch How to Bake Tofu Like a Pro
Baked Tofu Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: vegan, tofu recipe, main
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These restaurant tips will show you the secret to making bold, flavorful baked tofu every time! A healthy plant-based protein to add to dishes you are already making!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces tofu- organic, firm or extra firm, non-GMO
- salt and black pepper
- Pick a marinade below!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Gently blot the block of tofu with paper towels. No need to press out all the moisture, just a little.
- Cut tofu into pieces (strips, cubes, squares, or filets) about 3/4 inches thick and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the marinade:
- Ginger Sesame Marinade: blend ingredients (except sesame seeds) together (using an immersion blender or mini blender) until smooth, pour over tofu, coating all sides well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- BBQ Tofu Marinade: Sprinkle tofu with salt and pepper. Mix bbq sauce and 1-2 teaspoons sriracha together in a small bowl. Taste, adjust heat. If you like crispy tofu, stir in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil. Liberally coat the top and sides of the tofu with the bbq sauce.
- Mexican Tofu Marinade: Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl then brush the marinade on the tofu.
- Bake until crispy- 25-35 minutes. For extra crispy, use convection, or use your broiler for a couple of minutes at the end.
- Leftovers will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Sesame Ginger Marinade Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce- or gluten-free Braggs Liquid amino acids
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 3-4 slices thin slices ginger- peels ok
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
- 1-3 teaspoons chili paste (all optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
BBQ Tofu Marinade Ingredients
- ¾ cup bbq sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ( for crispy texture)
- 2-3 teaspoons sriracha or red chili paste
Mexican Tofu Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ( or white)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic ( or finely minced garlic clove)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ -½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional)
More flavorful marinades: Peanut tofu marinade, Authentic Szechuan Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce
For extra crispy, use the convection setting in your oven or broil for just a few minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces tofu with sesame ginger marinade
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 525.1 mg
- Fat: 11.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.9 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 11.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Amazing recipes! I especially love the Sesame Ginger.
Thanks Anne! Appreciate the review.
I made the ginger marinade and it was delicious. I reckon it would make a good dressing as well. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed Gabrielle!
The flavor of this sesame ginger tofu is wonderful. As a bonus, it has a lovely crispy exterior and soft interior. I added this to your Saucy Sesame Soba Noodles- perfect!
Great to hear!
You might want to clarify: Do not put a parchment lined baking sheet in the broiler….or everything in the kitchen might get extra crispy!
Hi Linda- sorry that happened. This parchement “If you Care Brand” is usually OK under the broiler- maybe not too close though?
Works with air fryer too!
Good to know, love that idea!
I just made the Mexican tofu and my husband said it was the best he’s had. I still like the ginger sesame. Still have the BBQ to make and the sauce will be homemade of course
Awesome!
Ginger sesame tofu is a staple in our home. Obsessed with these flavors. Home run!
Great ot hear!
I’ve made the Ginger Sesame variation twice now and it is absolutely delicious, warm or cold!
That is my favorite one!
Best tofu recipe I’ve ever made. My husband and I finished everything the 2nd night. I made this with the Thai brown rice and vegetables w/peanut sauce. I used the Ginger recipe and will try the BBQ and Mexican tofu. Outstanding dinner! Great texture and full taste something I have not been able to get with tofu in the past.
Glad you gave this a go Kathy!
This tofu is delicious! Even my omnivorous teenage boy was sneaking pieces of it for snacks. I added it to the Vegan Thai Noodle Salad; the textures and flavors are perfect together.
thanks so much Lesli- we love this too!