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Baked Tofu that has been marinated in a sesame ginger sauce and then drizzled with more of the sauce that’s been reduced into a sticky glaze and served over rice with your favorite veggies – a quick, satisfying meal!
Well, Halloween is over. Did you survive without eating all of your kids’ candy? I may have snuck a piece or two…shhh, don’t tell them. Something else I can eat like candy is crispy baked tofu. Does that sound crazy? Maybe, but I’m totally serious.
Cubes of tofu marinated in a flavorful sauce and then baked until crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I really do pop them in my mouth like candy.
And if that’s not enough, to make it into a meal, the tofu is drizzled with more of the sauce before serving and then served over rice or noodles and with your family’s favorite steamed veggies. An easy meal that is mostly hands off.
A Little Prep Work
The tofu takes a little prep work, but it’s totally worth it to get the most from the flavors and textures. Start with firm tofu and press it to get most of the water out. This take about 20-30 minutes, but it’s all hands off. See my notes in the recipe box below on how to easily press tofu without any fancy gadgets.
After it’s pressed, you want to cut it into bite size pieces and then marinate it for at least 30-60 minutes (longer is fine). Again, although this part takes a little while, it’s hands off. Baking comes next – about 25-30 minutes – and you guessed it – it’s hands off!
So, while yes it takes some time to get this done, you’ll have a lot of waiting around time, so help the kids with their homework, fold a load of laundry, check your e-mail and then come back to enjoy your meal.
A Versatile Baked Tofu Recipe
This baked tofu recipe is quite versatile. If you don’t feel like a rice dish, you could serve it over noodles. You could also add it to an Asian soup recipe, make tacos with an Asian flare, wrap it up in a tortilla with some coleslaw for an easy lunch, make spring roll appetizers, add it to a salad – the possibilities are endless.
Sesame Ginger Baked Tofu
I hope you guys love this Sesame Ginger Baked Tofu recipe. If you make it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating. I love to see your remakes too, so snap a quick pic and tag me on social media @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
- 1 lb firm tofu* (pressed** and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup wheat-free tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 2-3 scallions (chopped)
- 3-4 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or flour
- 3 tbsp water
- Cooked Rice (or rice noodles)
- Steamed Green Beans (or your favorite veggie)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Whisk together the tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Place the cubed tofu into a sealable plastic bag or container. Pour the marinade over the tofu and shake until well coated. Place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes, turning every so often to make sure all sides of the tofu get coated.
- Once the tofu has marinated, remove it from the marinade (but SAVE the remaining marinade!) and place it onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the pieces over halfway through baking, until crispy on the outsides.
- While the tofu is baking, whisk the cornstarch into the water until completely dissolved and set aside.
- Pour the remaining marinade into a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and resembles a glaze.
- When the tofu is done baking, serve it over rice with steamed green beans and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, drizzled with the sesame ginger glaze. (Optionally, you can toss the baked tofu into the glaze first and then serve over the rice).
*You may want to freeze your block of tofu first and then thaw. This creates a chewier texture.
**To press tofu, place a clean dish towel (or paper towels) on a plate. Place the block of tofu on the dish towel and cover the tofu with another clean dish towel and then another plate. On the top place, place some heavy cans or bags of dried beans to press it down. Press for about 20-30 minutes.
Nutrition facts are for the Baked Tofu only, not including rice or green beans.
More Ways to Enjoy Tofu:
Pineapple Stir Fry w/ Baked Tofu
Healthy Breakfast Tacos w/ Scrambled Tofu
Nick says
I found this recipe and would love to try it out tomorrow, but is it me or is the part of what to do with the scallions missing?
Jenn S. says
Hi, Nick. Just toss the scallions in the bowls at the end. Enjoy!
Nick says
Ah I see it at the end, thank you!
Jenn S. says
You’re welcome. 🙂
Sarah says
My boys would love this! We are huge tofu fans in our house 🙂
Jenn S. says
Yay! You have such good little eaters!
Melissa says
This is the recipe for me! I’m a big tofu lover myself. It looks so savory baked in this sesame ginger sauce. Thank you for an awesome recipe.
Jenn S. says
It’s so good, right?! I hope you love it! It’s going to be on the menu you a lot in this house. 🙂
Leah M | love me, feed me says
Ooooh! I’m always looking for new ways to prepare tofu and luckily I have some in my fridge right now – I know what I’m having for dinner tonight!!! Yum!
Jenn S. says
Perfect, Leah! Hope you love it! It’s such an easy dinner.
Linda says
Sesame and ginger baked crispy sounds like heaven! I love this recipe, Jenn. I can’t wait to get to the store and stock up on tofu.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Linda! I’ll be making it again very soon!
Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen says
Oh my goodness this looks perfect. Tofu isn’t my favourite but you’d made it look irresistible. Love the photos too.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Aimee! I’m kind of addicted to tofu, but it definitely needs to have a good texture!
Platter Talk says
Thanks for this recipe. I love it, and the flavors of the tofu!!!
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much! Enjoy!
Stephanie says
This looks really really good. Shouldn’t be looking at this right before dinner. But I’ve never been able to master making good tofu so would love to try this.
Jenn S. says
It definitely needs lots of flavor…marinate the tofu IN the sauce and then pour the sauce ON the cooked tofu. Double the sauce…never a bad thing! 🙂
Julie says
Such a delicious sticky sauce. Have to try this.
Jenn S. says
The sauce makes the meal, right?! Thanks, Julie!
Luci's Morsels says
I have never tried baked tofu at home, can’t wait to give this a whirl!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Jenn S. says
Oh, Luci, you really should! It’s so easy! And it gets a great texture without having to pan fry it in oil. Let me know if you try it.
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
Yum! I’m always looking for new tofu dishes and this one looks extra delicious! I’ll put this on my to-make list. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mary Ellen!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Yum! I can’t wait to try your recipe, Jenn!
Jenn S. says
Thanks! Hope you love it!
Nicole says
I agree, pressing the tofu really does make it so much better, plus I love how removing that liquid allows for the marinade to soak in more. That’s my type of meal right there.
Jenn S. says
Absolutely! Gotta get that flavor in there! Thanks, Nicole!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
Baked crispy tofu is really the only way I like it! Love the flavors here, I use them all the time when I whip it up. I’d devour this over rice or noodles any day!! YUM!
Jenn S. says
It’s definitely my preferred way too – though I do love tofu all sorts of ways. And it definitely lends itself perfectly to Asian flavors. Thanks, Sophia!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I’m totally drooling over that tofu. This looks like my kinda meal!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dianne!
Rony Jahid says
Perfect dish this crispy tofu for anyone, its looks really yummy. I really like this tofu, thanks for sharing.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Rony! Have a great week!
Rony Jahid says
That`s all right Jenn!! Carry on.
Alisa Fleming says
Now this could become a staple in our home! I’ve been craving tofu lately in a big way.
Jenn S. says
I always crave tofu – seriously addictive when done right! Thanks, Alisa!
Mel says
My kind of meal! I love tofu and rice together and with all those other flavours to bring it together it sounds fantastic!
Jenn S. says
I will never understand the tofu-haters. It’s so good! Thanks, Mel!
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, this looks like my kind of tofu. I think my guys would love this recipe, too!
Jenn S. says
I’m addicted to tofu! Thanks, Becky!