Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (2024)

Published: by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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This crispy Sesame Tofu recipe is quick and easy to make. Air fry, bake, or pan-fry. Gluten-free and oil-free options, crispy and healthy, with a lightly sweetened tangy sauce. This egg-free, Chinese-style vegan recipe uses sesame seeds and crushed cornflakes or panko for the crust.

this RECIPE

This is a tofu recipe that everyone will enjoy! Plus, it can easily be made without oil or gluten without compromising on flavor and texture. This is one of my go-to protein dishes because it's so easy to make, and it always turns out delicious. Pair sesame tofu with my easy dipping sauce for serving.

This sesame tofu recipe was inspired by my crispy Panko Tofu, as well as this Tofu Korean Kimchi Fried Rice recipe.

Jump to:
  • 👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
  • 🧄 Substitutions
  • 📖 How to Make Sesame Tofu
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍽 Related Recipes
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (2)
  • Extra firm or super firm tofu
  • Cornstarch
  • Sesame oil (optional)
  • Rice vinegar
  • Tamari or soy sauce
  • Aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
  • Garlic powder
  • Sesame seeds
  • Panko or crushed cornflakes

See the recipe card for quantities.

🧄 Substitutions

  • Garlic powder - use one minced clove of fresh garlic instead
  • Ginger - add one tablespoon of grated ginger to the marinade for more flavor
  • Soy sauce - use gluten-free tamari instead for no gluten
  • Panko - substitute with gluten-free panko, crushed cornflakes, or an equal amount of sesame seeds for gluten-free
  • Cornstarch - use arrowroot instead as desired
  • Tofu - use superfirm tofu which is pre-pressed to save time (Nasoya or Wildwood brands)

Try my panko tofu recipe for an allergy-friendly option. It's made without sesame seeds. For more easy and healthy tofu recipes, visit my Tofu Recipes page on this site.

📖 How to Make Sesame Tofu

For the full recipe, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (3)

Step 1. Marinate:Transfer the tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder to a shallow dish. Mix well. Place the sliced tofu into the dish in a single layer. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, flipping them over after 15 minutes.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (4)

Step 2. Set up the tofu coating station with sesame seeds and panko, cornstarch, and aquafaba.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (5)

Step 3. Coat the tofu:Take one piece of the marinated tofu and shake off any excess marinade. Lightly coat it in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (6)

Step 4. Then dip the piece into the aquafaba, letting any excess drip off.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (7)

Step 5. Dip the tofu into the panko and sesame seeds. Press gently to coat evenly.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (8)

Step 6. Transfer the coated tofu to a large nonstick baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pieces. Optional: lightly spray the pieces with cooking oil.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (9)

Step 7. Bake for about 10 minutes, before flipping the pieces over. Bake for 10 minutes more, or until golden brown.

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (10)

Or air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the pieces lightly with cooking oil. Place them in an air fryer basket in a single layer. (You may have to cook them in batches.) Cook the sesame tofu for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

💡 Expert Tips

  • Oil is optional but a little goes a long way in getting the sesame tofu crispy and golden brown. I recommend spraying the coated tofu lightly with oil.
  • For cooking: Either bake, air fry or pan fry the sesame tofu. Spread the tofu in a single layer with enough space between the pieces for hot air to pass through. This way, the tofu will brown evenly.
  • Serve the easy dipping sauce at room temperature. Make it right before serving or ahead of time. It is quick and easy to make. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Storage: Refrigerate the remaining Sesame Tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375ºF for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through, flipping the tofu over halfway. Or reheat in the microwave.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can I pan-fry sesame tofu?

To pan-fry, add oil to a medium skillet. (The oil should reach about halfway up the sides of the tofu.) Heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully transfer the tofu to the pan. Place the pieces about 2 inches apart. (Work in batches as needed). Cook the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden brown.

Can I cook tofu without pressing it?

Pressing tofu removes excess liquid so the pores can more easily absorb the flavorful marinade, for a more flavorful tofu. It also gets the tofu more crispy upon cooking.
Super firm tofu comes pre-pressed. Nasoya and Wildwood brands make super-firm tofu. I suggest purchasing this option if it is available to you. Read my 'How to Cook Tofu' post for more tips for cooking the best tofu.

Can I substitute a warm sauce for the easy dipping sauce to serve with sesame tofu?

Most sauces work with this sesame tofu recipe. Use warmed store-bought teriyaki sauce, or make a quick warm Asian sauce with tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, (toasted sesame oil), water, fresh ginger, and garlic to taste. Heat until reduced, and add cornstarch to thicken.

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👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?

Leave a review for my Baked Sesame Tofu recipe and share your creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.

I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.

📖 Recipe

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (15)

Sesame Tofu (Baked)

Nisha Melvani

This Sesame Tofu recipe is quick and easy to make. Air fry or bake (oil-free option). Gluten-free, crispy, & healthy, with a delicious sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Side Dish or Main

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 4 people

Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients

For the tofu marinade:

  • 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Tofu and Breading:

  • 14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu pressed and drained
  • ¼ cup cornstarch or arrowroot
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sesame seeds white, or a mix of black and white
  • 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or 3 tablespoons more sesame seeds

Optional Easy Dipping Sauce for serving:

  • ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce (preferably reduced sodium)
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon sriracha (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
  • 1 large clove minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

  • Make the marinade: Transfer the tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder to a shallow dish, about 8x8 inches. Mix well to combine.

  • Slice and marinate the tofu into about 8 (½-inch-thick)squares or rectangles (2x2 or 2x3 inches).

    Place the sliced tofu into the dish in a single layer. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, flipping them over after 15 minutes.

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

  • For coating: Transfer the cornstarch, salt, and pepper to a shallow bowl or rimmed dish. Transfer the aquafaba to a shallow bowl. Transfer the sesame seeds and panko to rimmed dish or shallow bowl.

  • Coat the tofu: Take one piece of the marinated tofu and shake off any excess marinade. Lightly coat it in cornstarch, shaking off any excess. Then dip the piece into the aquafaba, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dip the tofu into the panko and sesame seeds. Press gently to coat evenly.

  • For baking: Transfer the coated tofu to a large nonstick baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pieces. Optional: lightly spray the pieces with cooking oil. Bake for about 10 minutes, before flipping the pieces over. Bake for 10 minutes more, or until golden brown.

  • For air frying: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the pieces lightly with cooking oil. Place them in an air fryer basket in a single layer. (You may have to cook them in batches.) Cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

  • Prepare the easy dipping sauce (optional). Whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients: tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl.

  • Serve the tofu with easy dipping sauce.

Notes

    • Oil is optional but a little goes a long way in getting the tofu crispy and golden brown. I recommend spraying the coated tofu lightly with oil.
    • Storage: Refrigerate the remaining Sesame Tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375ºF for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through, flipping the tofu over halfway. Or reheat in the microwave.
    • For the sauce, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3mg

This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Eileen

    Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (20)
    This tofu is so delicious, amazing, and surprisingly easy. It maintains a crunchy outside with a moist seasoned inside. It's quite flavorful as is, I dipped mine in some chili crisp because I didn't feel like making the dipping sauce. I served it with mashed potatoes and salad.

    Reply

    • Nisha Melvani, RDN

      Love this meal combo! I'm so glad they work out well. Thank you.

      Reply

  2. Terri

    The ingredients for the marinade aren’t clear. Is the marinade the same as the dipping sauce? The instructions for the marinade include the ingredients for the “optional dipping sauce.” How much ginger? How much maple syrup? Looks great, would like to make this. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Nisha Melvani, RDN

      HI. I updated the recipe card. It should be clearer now.

      Reply

  3. Lori

    Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (21)
    Tofu was great but the sauce was too tangy and no one could eat it. I would change the sauce to a teriyaki or a sweet chili sauce.

    Reply

    • Nisha Melvani, RDN

      I changed the sauce recipe to an Easy Dipping Sauce. This will pair well with the tofu and be very easy to make. Thank you.

      Reply

Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't my tofu getting crispy in the oven? ›

First off, you may have not baked your tofu at a high enough temperature. High heat is important for getting your tofu to turn out nice and crispy. Aside from that, I think it's important to coat the tofu in something to help it crisp up.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What to use instead of cornstarch for crispy tofu? ›

6 Cornstarch Substitutes for All Your Cooking and Baking Needs
  1. Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
  2. Rice Flour. ...
  3. All-Purpose Flour. ...
  4. Tapioca Flour. ...
  5. Arrowroot Powder. ...
  6. Xanthan Gum.
Jun 13, 2022

How do you know if tofu is cooked enough? ›

If you're cooking slices or cubes, cut the tofu into slices, layer them between paper towels and weigh down the individual slices. The finished tofu should be spongy yet dry (you'll need to weigh it down for 30 minutes to 2 hours).

How to make tofu crispy like a restaurant? ›

There are a few tricks to perfect tofu. First, tossing cubed tofu with cornstarch will help you get a crispier exterior when baking or stir-frying. Pressing the block of tofu to eliminate excess moisture also helps. And you'll want to make sure you're using high enough heat.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

Why does my tofu stick to parchment paper? ›

Draining excess water from your tofu helps to create that crispy texture during the frying or baking process. If you don't properly drain it (or don't drain it at all) you're left with a lot of moisture while cooking and this is what often causes the tofu to stick.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

Should you marinate tofu before cooking? ›

Let the marination magic happen

You should aim to marinate tofu for at least 2 hours in the fridge. To infuse more flavour, you can leave it to marinade for up to 2 days before cooking up.

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

What pairs well with tofu? ›

Best Vegan Side Dishes for Grilled Tofu at a Barbecue or Cookout
  • Vegan Dill Potato Salad with Fiddleheads (No Mayo) ...
  • Herb Grilled Vegetables. ...
  • Vegan Spinach Salad Recipe with Maple Balsamic Dressing. ...
  • Fresh Tomato Lime Salad Dressing with Cilantro. ...
  • Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing.
Jul 12, 2021

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

How do you bake tofu to dry it out? ›

Arrange tofu on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and bake for a total of 25-35 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking. This will dry out the tofu and help give it a more meat-like texture. If you want a tougher texture, cook it for 30-35.

Why is my baked tofu rubbery? ›

Why does tofu get rubbery? Because it was probably overcooked, it was probably exposed to too much heat. I don't know if it was roasted baked air fried or sauteed, but when it becomes, uh, overcooked, it's gonna get very, very tough.

Why is my tofu always soggy? ›

Draining excess water from your tofu helps to create that crispy texture during the frying or baking process. If you don't properly drain it (or don't drain it at all) you're left with a lot of moisture while cooking and this is what often causes the tofu to stick.

How do you get moisture out of tofu in the oven? ›

Cover with another layer of paper towels. Then place a cutting board on top of the tofu, and stack a bunch of heavy cans or pots or whatever you can safely balance on the cutting board. The idea is to put a lot of pressure/weight on the tofu, which will help the excess water to press out into the paper towels.

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