Yes, it is possible. You can make crispy tofu at home without frying and without any oil at all. All you need is 3 simple ingredients and an oven.
To avoid having to press your tofu to make it firm, simply buy Super Extra Firm Tofu. This is usually the one that is in a shrink-wrapped package instead of a plastic tray. Be sure to wrap in a towel and gently squeeze to get out most of the water before slicing.
Just follow these simple steps to make healthy crispy tofu in only 35 minutes!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven heats up, wrap your super firm or pressed tofu in a towel and gently squeeze out any excess water.
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Step 2: Chop the tofu into 1 to 2-inch cubes and add to a bowl and mix with a tablespoon or two of soy sauce (or tamari to make this recipe gluten-free). Sprinkle on 2-3 tablespoons of corn start, arrowroot powder, or rice flour and mix until nicely coated.
You can also season with other spices that complement the dish you will be adding the tofu to. Here are a few options:
- Curry powder
- Sriracha or other hot sauce
- Nutritional yeast & garlic powder
- Ginger & garlic
Step 3: Transfer the tofu to a lined baking sheet. I always use silicone baking mats instead of baking paper to reduce the amount of trash I make. Plus, they are super non-stick so I don’t need to use oil on the pan.
Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the coating on the tofu is firm and crispy. Let cool for 10 minutes before coating with any sauce, if that’s your plan.
Tip: This tofu recipe is delicious and makes a great vegan protein addition to a dinner, but the leftovers will not be crispy (if you have any leftovers). So eat up!
To see how I make crispy tofu without oil, check out this video and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more vegan meal ideas:
How To Make Crispy Baked Tofu – Without Oil!
- Prep Time5 min
- Cook Time30 min
- Total Time35 min
- Yield5 servings
- Serving Size1/5 block of tofu
Ingredients
For the burger
- 1 block (16 oz) Super Extra Firm Tofu
- 2 TBSP soy sauce or tamari
- 2-3 TBSP arrowroot powder, corn starch, or rice flour
Directions
Preheat oven to 400F. Chop tofu into 1 to 2-inch cubes.
In a large bowl, mix together the tofu with the soy sauce. The add in the starch powder and mix until well coated ad has a nice layer of uncooked “crust” “The amount you need will depend on how much moisture is in the tofu.
Transfer to a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until browned and crispy.
Let cool for 10 minutes. Enjoy plain or in other recipes, like curry, stir-fry, and salads!
Let me know in the comments if you tried this recipe! And tag me in your photos on Instagram @rootyfruityvegan
So good!! Was looking for a no oil baked tofu and you nailed it! I used rice flour and it turned out crispy and delicious…thank you
Will I be able to airfry this recipe instead of an oven?
Yes that should work ok. Not sure how long, though. Let me know how it goes if you try it!