Crispy tofu that tastes like pizza? Count us in! After a few tests, we nailed this crumbled baked tofu featuring Italian herbs and garlic. It’s so crispy and flavor-packed that we couldn’t stop eating it right off the pan! Even tofu haters admitted it’s good.
It’s an endlessly versatile, plant-based protein boost perfect for polenta, pasta, pizza, wraps, and beyond! Did we mention it’s easy to make with just 10 ingredients and 1 pan required? We can’t wait for you to try it! Let’s get crispy!
Origin of Tofu
It’s believed that tofu originated in China during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD). Then about 500 years later, it’s thought to have spread to neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It’s now consumed and enjoyed throughout the world. You can take a deeper dive into the history of tofu here.
How to Make Crispy Baked Tofu
Tofu is one of those foods that gets a bad rap for being flavorless and having a strange texture. But when done right, it’s anything but that! And this recipe (plus these) is definitely tofu done right — think crispy, flavor-packed, and effortless to prepare.
Here are some of our top tips for flavorful, crispy baked tofu:
Tip #1: Press out the moisture
Remove excess moisture from the tofu using a tofu press or by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and placing something heavy on top (like a cast iron skillet). Less water in the tofu means it can absorb more marinade.
Tip #2: Crumble into bite-sized pieces
We crumble the tofu into bite-sized pieces to maximize the surface area, which helps it to crisp up all around.
Tip #3: Use a flavorful sauce
Tofu has a neutral flavor, which means it benefits from a super flavorful sauce. For this recipe, the sauce consists of umami-packed tamari, rich olive oil, tangy balsamic vinegar, sweet tomato paste, salt, and Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, and basil).
Tip #4: Bake at a high heat
Baking the tofu at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 Celsius) for 30-35 minutes allows it to get firm with crispy edges. Just make sure to give it a stir after 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.
We hope you LOVE this crispy baked tofu! It’s:
Herby
Flavor-packed
Firm with crispy edges
Simple
Versatile
& Tastes like pizza!
Plus, it’s delicious on pizza! And risotto, polenta, pasta, and so much more. It’s also the star of the show in our Italian Herb Tofu Wraps with Garlicky Hummus Sauce.
More Flavorful Tofu Recipes
- Baked Crispy Peanut Tofu
- Easy Vegan Chorizo
- Vegan Palak Paneer with Curried Tofu
- Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Crispy Baked Tofu with Italian Herbs
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz.) package extra-firm tofu
- 1 ½ Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce // ensure gluten-free as needed)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (NOT glaze)
- 1 ½ Tbsp tomato paste
- 4-5 small cloves garlic, crushed or minced (4-5 cloves yield ~2 tsp crushed)
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (omit if using soy sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F (218 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wrap your extra-firm tofu in an absorbent towel. Set something heavy on top — like a cast iron skillet — to press out extra moisture for 15 minutes. Alternatively, use a tofu press.
- Crumble the tofu into pieces less than 1/2-inch in size and arrange them on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients (tamari, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, and salt). Pour over the tofu and toss to coat.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flip with a spatula, and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the tofu is a little firm and golden with crispy edges.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature. This tofu is the perfect protein boost for wraps, risotto, polenta, creamy pink pasta, pasta arrabiata, or on pizza or paired with roasted vegetables.
- Leftovers keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in a skillet or in the oven at 350 F (176 C) for 5-10 minutes until warm and crispy.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Jen says
This is so very delicious! And also very easy to prepare. We love putting it on top of pizza at our house, but it’s versatile enough to be used all kinds of ways. Thank you for this recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jen! Thanks so much for sharing. xo
Summer says
Great! I air fried at 400 for 12-15 minutes, flipping often. Served with the vegan ‘pizza’ breakfasts bowls, and added some arugula.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That sounds SO delicious – love that you used it in that recipe! Thank you for sharing, Summer! xo
Nicole says
Just halved the recipe to try it out, as all i had was a half block of tofu. Made this to go along with the Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet, and it never made it into the dish, lol, I just ended up snacking on it while the skillet was cooking. I am looking forward to making this again and using it in the other suggested recipes it pairs with. I may try and bake mine a little longer next time, as some parts were still a little squish. That may be due to me just needing to use something heavier to press it pre-baking, though ;)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Ha, we know how that goes – it’s SO snack-able! Thank you for sharing, Nicole! Another thing you can try to make it a little crispier is to tear the tofu into smaller pieces. Hope that helps!
Janine says
I tried this and I think my balsamic vinegar was old and bad. I threw out the mixture. I took a different take. I added olive oil, lemon juice, z’atar mixture over the tofu baked. I baked less time because it became very crisp. I added pine nuts the last few minutes. Served the tofu in a warm wheat tortilla with homemade hummus. It was dry but I really like the idea of doing this way. If you have any thoughts on how I can improve this middle eastern twist on the recipe I would love to know.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi! The ingredients in our Italian Herb Tofu Wraps would be really good with Middle Eastern flavors too. Hope that helps!
Allison says
I just made this in my air fryer and it’s wonderfully crispy and delicious. I had to experiment with temp and time. Using a liner I started at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. After 7 minutes the tops of the tofu chunks were charred perfectly. I then lowered the temp to 375 for another 10 minutes. I decided it needed more time and went to 360 degrees for 10 more minutes. I had to check and stir the tofu frequently to allow for even cooking. The texture and taste are identical to when I baked in the oven. You’ll have to watch it and experiment, but it’s worth it. I’m in Austin, living in the 105+ heat dome, and have no desire to heat the kitchen.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Allison! Thanks so much for sharing. xo
LR says
3 stars for good flavor, minis two stars for lack of crisp and burning marinade.
Did not crisp but spices from the marinade burned. I even put the spices in a mortar and pestle to grind them fine. The spices and minced garlic stuck to the tofu and I wasn’t sure if that would be ok. It’s not.
Also, extremely greasy. I don’t recall any other crispy tofu recipe being this greasy.
Note I did have to omit the tomato sauce.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi, the tomato paste is pretty key for the right texture/flavor/preventing greasiness. If you’re up for giving it another try, we’d definitely recommend including that ingredient.
Shellie says
This recipe came out great. I did make some changes as far as tearing the tofu into larger pieces, replacing the oil with a little aquafaba and adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. All the seasoning stayed the same. I air fried it for 20 mins. at 400. It’s delicious and has a nice crunch.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Shellie!
May says
I look forward to making this as written. For my first attempt, I just used the ingredient amounts and technique for an Asian bowl. So subbed rice vinegar for balsamic, gochujang for tomato paste, and cilantro/Thai basil for the herbs. I did add a smidge of sugar to balance it. Kept a close eye on it while baking because I knew the sauce had the potential to burn. It was ready to eat at the 20 min mark! 5 stars for the inspiration!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That sounds amazing, May! Thank you for sharing! xo
Laurel says
This is delicious! My new favorite way to eat tofu! Would this method work for other flavors/sauces? I’d like to do a general tsos!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Laurel! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the lovely review! We think this method for cooking tofu is pretty versatile. Let us know if you do some experimenting!
Linda says
I followed the recipe exactly and was totally amazed. It has such a great flavour and texture. I will save this to my favourites!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Linda. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Marlene Miller says
I wonder if I could do this in my air fryer oven? Not the basket kind. Thoughts?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Marlene, we haven’t tried it but we think it should work well!
Deb says
Hi!! We are avoiding oil … anyone tried making it without any oil?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Deb! We haven’t tried this without oil! We think it will still be flavorful, just not crispy. Let us know how it goes!
Dana says
What can I use for substitution for oil?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Dana, oil helps the tofu get crispy. We suggest using some of it! However, you can omit the oil, it will still be tasty just not crispy!
Kat says
You could try spraying it with cooking spray instead. Reduces the oil considerably.
I have not tried it with this particular recipe yet, but with some other tofu recipes it has worked between ok and great.
Niara says
This looks great! BUT.. Is there a substitute for the tofu? That’s a soy product and I won’t eat tofu nor do I consider it a healthy food.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Niara, we’d suggest smashed chickpeas, or Pumfu (pumpkin seed “tofu”). Hope that helps!
Rachel says
Can I omit the oil? Or maybe 1/2 of the oil?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Rachel, we suggest using at least half of the oil to ensure the tofu still gets crispy!
Stephanie Urquhart says
Any suggestions for time & temp using air fryer?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Stephanie, we haven’t tried this in an air fryer and aren’t sure about the time and temperature needed! However, we think it would work well. Let us know if you try it!
Alexandra says
This is a family go-to recipe now. We most often eat the tofu slightly warm, piled on top of a big green salad dressed with simple citronette, vegan aioli, and sometimes some of your super green pesto! Last time we made a double recipe and realized we had way too much for a single meal. But it was great because then I had a container in the fridge and could break it out for snacking whenever I wanted.
Also the trick of freezing leftover tomato paste in little cubes was GREAT, although I had to remember to pull them out of the freezer before getting the tofu pressing. I quick-thawed the frozen tomato paste by putting it in a sort of “double boiler” rig with different-sized pyrex measuring cups and boiling water from the kettle.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
So glad you are enjoying this, Alexandra. Love your tips as well! Thanks!
Atara Dahan says
can i use a different kind of vinegar? white or rice or apple cider?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Atara, we think red wine vinegar with a splash of maple syrup might be a suitably sweet/tart substitution.
Cheryl says
Best way to eat tofu hands down. So tasty. I’ve made it a few times and always love it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Cheryl! Thank you for sharing! xo
Paige says
Hi! I just realized I’m out of tomato paste! I do have pasta sauce already made – is there any combo of pasta sauce amount with other seasonings that may work here?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Paige, that could work! You might want to cook the sauce down a bit to concentrate the flavor. Hope that helps!
Paige says
Thanks!! I used about 1/2 – 3/4 cup of pasta sauce, until the coating on the tofu was similar to how it looks following your recipe. I added a splash of vinegar (my favorite part of your recipe) and some more herbs. Your recipe is much better as it is written, but this worked in a pinch. Thank you ☺️
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Paige!
Hannah Kaiser says
Hi! I cook your recipes all the time and they never fail. I am allergic to balsamic vinegar – any thoughts on substitutes?
Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Hannah, can you have other kinds of vinegar? If so, we think red wine vinegar with a splash of maple syrup might be a suitably sweet/tart substitution. If you can’t have vinegar, some combination of lemon juice and maple syrup/molasses might work. Hope this helps!
Mireille says
Very very good! Thanks for sharing!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thank you for the lovely review, Mireille! xo
Jane says
Can I use ketchup instead of tomato paste? I always end up buying a tube and throwing out the extra so I thought ketchup might be an easy sub that we always have. Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jane, that might be okay, but the flavor won’t be as well-balanced. We like to freeze leftover tomato paste in an ice cube tray to solve that issue. Hope that’s helpful!
Paige says
Wow. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. It was so delicious, and super easy. Can’t wait to make it again!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Wooohoo! So glad you enjoyed, Paige. Thanks so much for the great review!
Sabrina says
So tasty!
Cara says
I made this and it absolutely blew my mind!!!!! Flavor beyond my wildest dreams. (Also subbed coconut aminos for tamari.) I topped a pasta dish with this and now can’t wait to top vegan pizza with it, too. My mind is bursting with possibilities as to how I can sprinkle this delectable recipe all over my life! 😂
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad it exceeded your expectations, Cara! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Lyn says
On many of your replies , you mention cooking on a convection setting. Is that still at 425, or am I dropping the temperature to 400 as convection is cooked in recipes at 25 degrees less? Thanks.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Lyn, with convection we’d suggest keeping the same temperature, but checking on it sooner. Hope that helps!
Niamh says
My experience with tofu has been very hit and miss… But I’ve finally found the biggest hit! I really really love this. I’ve just had the best wrap for lunch with salad and hummus… The texture is incredible and the flavour is just perfect. Will be making this weekly for salads, sandwiches and rice bowls. Just wonderful. Thank you for sharing :-)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Niamh. Thank you for sharing! xo
Diane says
I made this yesterday and loved it! I added a little cayenne and smoked paprika for more kick. I crumbled it pretty small. Most of it did get crunchy but some of the bigger pieces were chewy. I liked that mix of crunchy and chewy. I will definitely be making this many times over.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this tofu, Diane. Thanks for the great review!
Raewynn says
Wow, this was the most gorgeous way to make tofu. I have been stuck in flavouring tofu with Asian spices/sauces etc but this was a game changer. So easy to prepare and cook. Served over a lemon and pea risotto, simply delicious. On the ‘keeper’ list for easy, fuss free, teenage friendly winners! Can’t wait to try this in your other suggestions – wraps etc. Yum!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
YUM! Sounds delish with risotto! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Raewynn!
Catherine says
This was delicious, even before I cooked it. I’m not usually a fan of tomato with tofu, but this really works. Umami heaven. And ridiculously easy.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Catherine! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Allison says
REALLY good! Used it in brown rice bowls with roasted broccoli, cherry tomatoes and picked red onions. Will definitely make again. I didn’t have any basil left so made it with out; can’t wait to try a batch with fresh basil as the predominant spice.
Mine didn’t come out very crispy. I use the Breville counter top oven and probably didn’t give enough room between tofu bits. Next time would try it in the bigger regular oven.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, that bowl sounds so delicious, Allison! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Megan says
We made this last night for dinner and were blown away! Love the depth of flavor with the balsamic and herbs. This has so many pairing possibilities with roasted veggies, pasta, gnocchi, etc.. Excited to add it to our rotation.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed this, Megan. Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
Emily E says
This is delicious! Texture came out kind of like “blackened” tofu, rather than crispy in the way of “popcorn” style. I cooked it about 20 mins total, 15 in one side 5 on the other. Served it in wraps with hummus and spring greens and was really satisfied. My husband and I finished the whole batch in one meal and he suggested that we add it to the rotation :)
Also used only 2 Tbsp of oil and it still came out great.
Next time I think I will double it, and just use two pans.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you both enjoyed, Emily. Thanks so much for the great review!
Lysa says
I doubled the recipe, and it turned out absolutely delicious! I eat a lot of tofu and this is my new fav recipe. We enjoyed it atop pasta.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Lysa. Thank you for sharing! xo
Shawniya says
best-tasting tofu i’ve ever made! will definitely make again :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
YAY! So happy you enjoyed, Shawniya. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Stella says
Delicious! This is a welcome change-up to my regular recipe lineup.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing, Stella! xo
Carolyn says
Very delicious. Perfect for a wrap– definitely try this recipe.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks, Carolyn. So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Caro says
That was delicious!! I put it in wraps with garlicky hummus sauce and it was perfect. The tofu was flavorful and crispy but still tender. My husband and toddler loved it!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Caro. Thank you for sharing! xo
Ashley says
My toddler is eating it!!! Hooray! Putting it on pizza da once, sure my other two kids will devour it too! FINALLY, tofu with flavour! Thanks you!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! So exciting! Thank you for sharing, Ashley! xo
Elizabeth Jennings says
This tofu is my new favorite!
It really does taste like pizza topping and goes well with quinoa or rice. I initially made it as written then modified it with one third less oil for calorie reasons only. I also doubled the Oregano and left out the Thyme and Basil as I was running low and It still tastes great!
Wondering…
I have a newly purchased air fryer and am wondering if this recipe would be a good option for it? Hoping to reduce the calorie content even more and speed up the cooking time.
Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Elizabeth! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! We do think it would work well in an air fryer – just keep in mind it will probably cook faster. Let us know if you try it that way!
Cait says
This was a great weeknight dish that we made into the Italian Herb Tofu Wraps with Garlicky Hummus Sauce (also on your site!). This recipe was easy-peasy and super flavorful. Next time I will double the recipe because it was eaten up quickly!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Cait! Thank you for sharing! For doubling, just make sure you put it on two baking sheets so there’s enough room between the tofu to crisp up =)
Cait says
So wise. Will do! So important to have that space in the oven!
Cristy says
I love that all these ingredients are always in my house, so this was extremely easy and fast. I used all but a tablespoon of the sauce because I was afraid to have the crumbles sitting in liquid, I think that worked out well for me. My tofu crumbles were not even enough, so I ended up with tiny crumbs burned, the mid sized with a perfect crunch, and larger ones still chewy. (I’m like tofu Goldilocks?) I may try to dice my tofu next time, to try for more even sizes, and make sure they are small enough…because yes there will be a next time, they are addictive and I keep eating them off the pan when I need to save some for lunch tomorrow😂
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love it! Thanks so much for the review and for sharing your experience, Cristy!
shlok says
it feels good in your tummy after having vegan food
Jessica Cooney says
Hoping to modify this for a cooking class but only have access to a stove-top. Any ideas for doing this in a sauté pan?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jessica, it will be flavorful, but is unlikely to get as crispy. To encourage crispiness, we’d suggesting cooking in a skillet in a little oil and working in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Hope that helps!
Sabrina says
I followed the recipe exactly and it was incredible!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks so much for sharing, Sabrina! xo
Janet says
I so wanted this to work but it didn’t happen. After 35 minutes in the oven it was tough and not crisp or crunchy. Gave it 10 more minutes, then 7 more. Then it was kind of crispy because it was burnt but still kind of tough. All the flavor was kind of replaced with burnt. The raw sauce was yummy. Any suggestions – I fear crispy/crunchy is not going to happen for me :(
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Sorry to hear that, Janet! It sounds like perhaps your oven isn’t hot enough? We’d suggest using the convection setting if you have it and/or increasing the temperature. Hope that helps for next time!
Flyingmartini says
I made this last night. It was really good. Because I have an electric stove (I miss my gas stove!) – 😡 I baked it at 400. I definitely need to bake it about 5 minutes less. It did get burned on one side. I also cubed it instead of crumbling it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Rebecca says
Another delicious, easy recipe that shows the versatility of tofu! I used super firm tofu (which eliminates draining). Because the block was 16 ounces, I made a bit more of the marinade. I wasn’t sure about using soy sauce in an Italian herbs marinade, but WOW! It definitely makes a difference. I also love the crispness and firmness of the tofu after 30 minutes in a hot oven.
I decided to make a pizza and use the Italian herb tofu as the topping. I made a chickpea flour skillet pizza base. After broiling the pizza batter in an iron skillet, I spread pesto sauce, heaped the crust with the tofu mixture, topped that with mozzarella cheese and baked for 10 minutes in a 450-degree oven.
AMAZING, DELICIOUS, FILLING PIZZA! I can’t wait to try this tofu mixture atop polenta, as a salad topping, or in wraps.
My husband and I have a short-term goal to eat vegetarian and/or vegan meals 50% of the time, with a long-term goal of 80%. The recipes in this blog are helping us to happily reach this goal. THANK YOU!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We love to hear this! And that pizza sounds DELISH. Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Rebecca!
Stacey says
Yummy! Made this (sans the balsamic) and tossed it into a roasted veggie bowl with some vegan pesto and LOVED it so much as part of a roasted veggie bowl. Love the textured of the prep so played with some Mexican seasonings: subbed chipotle for tomato paste and took out thyme, adding smoked paprika. Plunked in bowl with roasted sweet potatoes and red peppers, fresh spinach, arroz verde (from the Vegan Taco Cleanse), and your 5-Minute Smokey Chipotle dressing (I could drink that stuff!). So, so, so yummy. Thank you for all of your hard work in testing and creating recipes. We are so lucky to have this site and your recipes delivered to our in boxes!!! You’re amazing!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, that bowl sounds amazing! LOVE your creativity, Stacey! Thank you so much for your kind words! xo
Jennifer B says
This is the best tofu I have made!! Simple recipe but full of flavor. Sooo good. Will make a double batch next time…
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing! For a double batch, just make sure you put it on two baking sheets to help it crisp up =)
D.T. says
This was the perfect addition to the vegan lasgana I made today. So easy and packed with flavor. Excited to try it as an addition to other dishes.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Ooo love that creative use! Thank you for sharing! xo
Michelle says
We made this last night and served it with creamy polenta, mushrooms and asparagus. It is so flavorful and delicious! Thankfully, we doubled the recipe to have leftovers!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yumm, sounds SO perfect! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing how you served it, Michelle!
Anonymous says
This was so delicious! I saw it on Instagram and got everything I needed for it as soon as I went to the grocery store.
I like to freeze and thaw my tofu for the texture, so I did that and then made this recipe. I used only half the oil but otherwise followed the ingredients and the instructions.
For serving I rolled this up in a tortilla with spinach, fresh basil, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and black olives. Definitely recommend! Looking forward to leftovers tomorrow.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Ooo, yum! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications!
Fiona says
I made this and it was delicious.
A tip: 425° is too high if you’re leaving it in for 25-35 minutes as per the recipe. I did it for 10 mins, then stirred and baked for another 10mins. It was almost too long then too. 375° would work better.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Fiona!
Theresa Ade says
I love tofu on the best of days but was getting bored with the way I usually make it. I tried this recipe immediately and it was ridiculously delicious! I have no idea why you talk about storing left-overs…what leftovers??
Absolutely awesome recipe! Highly recommended!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Ha, good point! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Theresa! xoxo
Jill says
This was a delicious and easy recipe. I cooked the tofu for 20 minutes on each side and reheated for 10 more minutes and it was very crispy. I served it with hot oil chili noodles and broccoli. I will definitely make it again!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for sharing your experience, Jill! xoxo
Jodi says
So good! Such a fun texture we’re not used to with tofu!! I didn’t realize we didn’t have tomato paste, so I omitted it, but it was delish anyways! Will try again. Also I think this would be fantastic with a chili/chipotle/smoked paprika/cumin seasoning as well and added to tacos!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Ooo yes! That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing, Jodi! xo
Megs says
Our house is a large community of women. We do weekly dinners and your blog is reliable and highly recommended.
I made this last night with the wrap. It was scrumptious. I pressed the tofu for an hour. However I don’t know how to get the tofu crispy. Would it have helped to space out the pieces? With it being covered in sauce, it seemed to only crisp as it got a bit too dark.
Thanks for providing our community with deliciousness!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Megs, we’re so glad our recipes are helpful to your community! If you were making a larger batch and the tofu didn’t have enough space on the baking sheet, that could definitely be the issue. Otherwise, you can try increasing the temperature or using the convection setting if you have it.
Linda says
I have just made this and it is still in the oven. I have baked this for over an hour now I and I don’t think it is anywhere near crispy like it should be. AmI trying to get it too crispy?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Linda, is it possible your oven runs a little on the cooler side? A few ideas: 1) make sure to press the tofu 2) use convection if you have it and 3) transfer it off the parchment paper and broil for a few minutes at the end. Hope that helps!
De says
I am super impressed! I’ve never had tofu like this—and it was incredibly easy. I didn’t even mix the sauce first, just poured individual ingredients over the tofu and mixed it right on the pan. It was absolutely delicious. We are the first pan straight and had to make another pan for dinner. I could eat this a few times a week without getting tired of it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, De! Thank you for sharing! xo
Elise says
This was so tasty! I served it over creamy polenta, and three toddlers and my tofu-skeptical husband approved. For leftovers, I added some chopped black olives, red pepper flakes, and shredded mozzarella/ provolone for ALLL the pizza vibes!
The only trick was getting it to crisp up… (I used extra firm tofu and pressed it for over an hour!) I ended up putting the tray on the highest rack in the oven and broiling it @ 500 F for several minutes.
So happy to find a delicious, easy, recipe that I already had all the ingredients to make! Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad it was a hit with the whole family. Thank you for sharing your experience, Elise! xo
GABRIELLE OTTAVIO says
Delicious. Made this last night. Topped my pasta tossed in a vegan puttanesca sauce with the tofu crumbles Italian style. My husband ate 2 portions of it. Added a meaty texture and depth of flavor to our pasta dinner. Froze the leftover tofu crumbles and will use them next week.
Thank you for such an awesome and easy recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Gabrielle! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Caroline says
SO GOOD! My daughter hates tofu, but she admitted this was amazing! Little crispy bits that taste like pizza? Too good for this world. I served with a rocket salad on the side (vegan Parmesan and black pepper with some extra virgin olive oil). It was a lovely, lightened Italian dinner! We ate it off the plate, but sprinkled on top of the rocket salad was delicious. Thank you for another amazing recipe!!
Love from OZ,
Caroline xx
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad she enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing, Caroline! xo
KK says
Do you think i could do this with No or less oil?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi KK, the olive oil helps it crisp up, but we think using half the amount should be fine. Or if you have a convection setting on your oven, that will help with the crisping. Let us know if you try it!
Milvi says
I can’t find another way to contact you about a technical issue, so hoping this gets to someone. For some time now, your print recipe option is not displaying the recipe image, even though the default ‘recipe image’ is checked. I have tried with Firefox and Chrome browsers.
Your recipes are delicious! Most of my diet for the last couple of years comes from your collection.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Milvi, sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for letting us know! We are aware of this issue and trying to figure out a solution.
Jen says
This looks delish! Could you sub something else for the balsamic vinegar? Would apple cider vinegar work?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jen, the balsamic vinegar adds richness that apple cider vinegar won’t. Perhaps with less vinegar, more tomato paste, and maple syrup it would work, but we can’t guarantee it will be the same!
Dana Chalamet says
Omg. Looks and sounds amazing. Plan on making for sure! (LOVE tofu!). But I would love to know is that simply your polenta recipe with this recipe that’s pictured right under “More Flavorful Tofu Recipes.” It looks incredible and I must make, lol. Many thanks for ALL you share! 💞🙏🏼
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
It is! Good eye ;) Hope you love it, Dana! xo
Dana Chalamet says
Oh, YES! Can’t wait to make! And I’m SURE I’ll love it … what’s not to like? ☺️ Many, MANY thanks! … and XO back to you! 💞🙏🏼☺️
Sarah says
This was great! I really enjoyed this burst of flavor sprinkled on my potatoes tonight for dinner. I added in a dollop of pesto because I didn’t have dried basil. Loved how the balsamic came through. Thanks for another great recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing, Sarah! xo
Jill Marie says
Is it all right to make it with something like aqua faba rather than olive oil for a whole-food plant-based no-oil diet?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jill, that could work, but we haven’t tested it. It might not crisp up quite as well. Let us know if you try it!
Jill Marie says
Thanks! I’m about to!
Jaycen says
This was fantastic over an iceberg salad with a little vegan ranch! Polished off an entire block of tofu in one setting.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jaycen! Thank you for sharing! Next time, would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Christie says
Do you have a temp/time suggestion for timing in a convection oven/airfryer? This looks excellent!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Christie, with convection it will get extra crispy (not a bad thing!), so we’d suggest flipping it after 15 minutes, then check it after 5-10 minutes. Hope you love it!