Easy Baked Tofu that really delivers on flavour! This is how I satisfy my sticky, delicious tofu cravings when I don't have time to press it or let it marinade for hours.
PREP TIME: 10 minutesminutes
COOK TIME: 40 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutesminutes
Servings: 12triangles
Ingredients
1blockextra firm tofu, sizes vary depending on brand but one that's about 350g - 400g (12 - 14oz)
Glaze
⅓ cup / 80mlstomato ketchup
1tablespoonmaple syrup
3tablespoonssoy sauce or Tamari, see notes if gluten-free
1tablespoonsriracha, or Sambal Oelek, or any other hot sauce or chili paste
1tablespoontoasted sesame oil, (omit to make oil-free)
1clovegarlic, minced or grated very finely
1big pinch freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F (200 °C).
Open the tofu, drain any excess water then lay it on it's side and cut carefully lengthways into ½ inch thick large slices. Different blocks of tofu are different thicknesses but most you will get 2 or 3 slices. Take each of those slices and cut it into triangles. Lay the tofu triangles out in a large dish and set aside.
In a small bowl mix up all of the glaze ingredients. If you taste it don't be alarmed at how strong it is. Once it's on the tofu and baked it's all ok, I promise!
Pour the glaze over the tofu triangles and coat each one. I find it best to use one clean hand to do this. When using tongs or other implements you end up breaking little pieces of tofu off no matter how careful you are.
Line a metal baking tray with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and lay each tofu triangle onto it with a bit of space around each one. Keep the dish with the remaining glaze in it as you will need it later.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Flip over each triangle and brush it with some more glaze. Put back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it though as all ovens are different. If it starts getting too dark remove it a little bit earlier. You want it to be really caramelized (dark brown, almost black) around the edges and on the corners. Again keep any remaining glaze (there won't be much).
Once done, remove from the oven and brush quickly again with the last bits of remaining glaze before serving, or cooling and storing in an air tight container in the fridge.
For how to grill see recipe notes
NOTES
You must use a metal baking tray for this recipe. The tofu will not caramelize properly if you cook it in a glass or ceramic dish.
To grill - Follow instructions as they are but cook on the grill over a medium heat instead of on a tray in the oven.
Gluten-free? To make this recipe gluten-free use gluten free soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari.
To reheat in the oven - Bake on a baking tray at 350°F (175 °C) for about 15 minutes.
To reheat in an air fryer - Pop it in on 350°F for about 10 minutes making sure to flip halfway. Although I like reheating this tofu in an air fryer, I still prefer to initially cook it in the oven. The inside of the tofu gets a better texture when it has the initial oven bake.
Grilling/BBQing - This recipe can be grilled/BBQ'd over a medium low heat. Time will vary but it will be much quicker than baking it in the oven. You'll know it's done when it is nicely caramelized with really dark, slightly charred edges and corners.
Storage - If you aren't using the tofu triangles right away or have leftovers, allow them to cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 5 days.