Crispy Baked Tofu

While Jacob and I both love good food and drinks, we try to keep things pretty healthy when we eat at home during the week. As much as we would love to indulge on friend chicken and mashed potatoes loaded with butter and sour cream every night, we would rather save those foods for special occasions or eating out. 

Somedays, I just get a craving for something breaded and crispy. But alas, not all things breaded and crispy have to be deep fried! This crispy baked tofu has that crunchy breaded outer coating, but it's baked and uses only a tad bit of oil!

You could most definitely re-create this same dish with bite size chicken pieces if you're not into tofu. I personally love tofu because 1. I'm not crazy about handling raw chicken, and 2. It's dirt cheap. This size block of tofu typically costs no more than $2.50 and easily serves 2-3 people.

First, you drain the tofu by placing it in a strainer, sprinkling some salt over top, and placing something relatively heavy on top of it (I usually use two bowls stacked on top of each other). This should be done for around 10-15 minutes.

Next, you mix up the breading ingredients.

Cut the tofu into large cubes.

Toss the cubes in the breading and place breaded cubes onto a baking sheet equipped with a cooling rack that will hold the tofu without slipping through the cracks. Give the cubes a little spray of olive oil cooking spray, and throw them in the oven!

The cubes need to be baked at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the breading it golden and crispy.

I like a dipping sauce for my tofu, this peanut satay sauce was delicious, but sweet and sour or plain old soy sauce are great too.

Paired alongside some rice and veggies, a complete meal!

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I love a colorful plate.

Crispy Baked Tofu Recipe

- 1 package extra firm tofu, drained

- 1/3 cup flour

- 1/4 cup corn meal

- 1 tsp paprika

- 2 tsp sesame seeds

- 1 tsp salt

- Cooking spray

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees

- While tofu is draining (instructions listed above), mix together dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl

- Once tofu has drained, cut into large cubes

- Toss cubes in the flour mixture until evenly coated

- Place floured tofu cubes onto a baked sheet fitted with a wire cooling rack (the kind the criss-crosses both ways, like this one)

- Generously spray the tofu cubes, then turn over the spray again so all sides are covered

- Bake tofu for 30 minutes or until golden and crispy

- Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice!