This easy crispy baked tofu has just five ingredients: tofu, tamari, olive oil, garlic powder, and arrowroot starch! As it bakes, a crispy exterior forms, making the perfect crispy baked tofu that pairs well with just about anything. The best part? No pressing is required!
Do you still dislike tofu? Let me change your attitude towards tofu for once and for all with this delicious and easy crispy baked tofu recipe. You’ll need just five ingredients: firm or extra firm tofu, tamari, olive oil, garlic powder, and arrowroot starch, and a little more than 30 minutes, to get a delightfully addictive vegan protein dish on your table.
Everybody gobbles this tofu up: kids and adults alike. The crispy exteriors and firm, chewy interiors are so satisfying. While I’ve been known to enjoy a handful of cubes on their own as a snack (am I weird or what?!), this crispy tofu makes a great protein booster for any meal. You can add it on top of salads, bowls, or as a side dish with, say, greens, grains, and a tasty sauce. It’s also delicious in tacos! Try it in place of the crispy chickpeas in these tacos.
Recently, I even made a Greek variation on this tofu at a Greek-themed dinner! I simply added 2 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon each dried oregano and basil at the same time as the olive oil and tamari. It was delicious!
Arrowroot starch/powder (they’re one and the same) is absolutely key to making crispy baked tofu. You can’t skip it! You can find arrowroot starch in the bulk bins at many health food and zero waste stores, or, failing that, you can purchase it in a package. Bob’s Red Mill is a good brand.
how to make this crispy baked tofu
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Chop a 1 lb block of tofu into 1-inch cubes. Place in a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of tamari. Toss to coat, then sprinkle on 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch and toss again.
Arrange the tofu cubes in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
You might have noticed that I don’t include pressing as a step! I have never found this to be necessary. If you have firm or extra firm tofu, you’ll find that the resulting baked tofu is already nice and firm!
more delicious tofu recipes
If you enjoy this crispy baked tofu, check out these other tasty tofu recipes!
- Protein Power Soba Noodle Bowls with Tofu Steaks
- BBQ Pulled Tofu Tacos
- Santa Fe Salad with Crispy Tofu, Black Beans, Citrus, and Cilantro Dressing
I hope that you love this recipe. If you make it, leave a comment and rating below, and tag your photos @upbeet.kitchen and #upbeetkitchen on Instagram!
Enjoy!
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Easy 5-Ingredient Crispy Baked Tofu
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Description
Easy 5-ingredient crispy baked tofu. The perfect protein-rich accompaniment to salads, bowls, tacos, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 (1 lb) block firm or extra-firm organic tofu
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch/powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Chop the tofu into 1-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil and tamari over the tofu and toss to coat. Then sprinkle on the garlic powder and arrowroot and toss again.
- Transfer the tofu cubes to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Make a Greek variation by adding 2 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano to the tofu before baking!
Store leftover tofu cubes in the fridge for up to 5 days. They make a great protein option for work lunches!
This recipe is greatly inspired by Cookie and Kate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Vegan
Keywords: crispy baked tofu, how to make crispy baked tofu, tasty tofu recipe, easy tofu recipe, easy baked tofu