Baked Tofu Parmesan Recipe ~ Vegan (2024)

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Baked panko crusted Tofu Parmesan recipe from scratch in a homemade marinara sauce. Basically a “vegan chicken parmesan” without any of the cholesterol, fat and cruelty. Oil free, air fryer method included.

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Crispy. Saucy. Healthy. Italian Tofu Parmesan!

The best vegan tofu parmesan baked to perfection until perfectly crispy on the outside and with a perfect meaty texture achieved with the frozen-defrost method.

It all starts with my homemade vegan parmesan!

I’m a big fan of the walnut version but it can also be done with raw cashews, pine nuts and even macadamias. Best to experiment with your favorite nuts and find your favorite combo.

the panko breadcrumb crust:

  1. Using panko breadcrumbs results in the crispiest texture ever. If not available just use any unseasoned whole grain bread crumbs you have in the pantry.
  2. Alternatively you can make your own breadcrumbs using stale or toasted bread. Process in the food processor until a coarse texture forms, slowly using the pulse button so you don’t over do it.

Because of the wonderful walnut parmesan coating this tofu can be made as healthy as possible. Not greasy, completely oil-free using the oven baked method or air fryer without the tofu steaks drying out at all.

what to serve with:

  • creamy polenta
  • mashed potatoes
  • in a pasta casserole
  • vegan mac and cheese
  • sandwiches / sliders
  • roasted spaghetti squash.

Optional: you can top your tofu with plant based cheese slices and finish under the broiler for a few seconds until melted and gooey. Keep in mind however that the cheese contains oil so it must be omitted for the whole food plant based and Plantricious diets.

P.S. If you try this recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it always brightens up my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

how to make the best tofu parmesan:

Baked Tofu Parmesan Recipe ~ Vegan (8)

5 from 3 votes

Baked Tofu Parmesan

Baked panko crusted Tofu Parmesan recipe from scratch in a homemade marinara sauce. Basically a "vegan chicken parmesan" without any of the cholesterol, fat and cruelty. Oil free, air fryer method included.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Pressing Tofu::45 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 15 oz block firm tofu
  • 1/4 cup tapioca
  • 3 cups homemade tomato sauce

Batter:

  • 1/2 cup cashew milk (or plain plant milk of your choosing)
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika

Panko Crust:

  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup plain panko bread crumbs (or any plain whole grain bread crumbs will do)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Drain the tofu and slice into 8 slices width-wise. Pat dry with a lint free towel and try to press out as much of the water as possible.

  • Place in a freezer proof container and freeze solid.

  • Defrost the tofu and wrap it in a lint free towel. Place on a tray and cover with a heavy object to press. (Use a skillet, cutting board, heavy pot, canned tomatoes etc.) Press for a good 45 minutes or so to get out as much of the moisture as possible.

  • Meanwhile mix together the vegan parmesan and bread crumbs and set aside.

Prepare the Tofu:

  • Season the tofu pieces with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper on both sides then coat in the tapioca.

  • Whisk together the batter ingredients until smooth then dip each tofu slice in it.

  • Coat in the vegan parmesan crust mixture shaking off any excess.

  • Place the coated tofu pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet or air fryer tray without touching each other.

Oven Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 400”F and cook the tofu for 30 minutes flipping half way.

  • OPTIONAL: Top the tofu with your favorite plant based cheese slices ( I love Follow Your Heart & Violife) and place under the broiler for about 30 seconds or so until melted.

  • Meanwhile heat up the marinara in a skillet and transfer the parmesan tofu into sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top and serve hot over creamy polenta, pasta or mashed potatoes.

Air Fryer Method:

  • Follow the steps above, but instead of baking it air fry the tofu at 375”F for 12 to 15 minutes flipping half way.

Notes

POLENTA:

To make creamy polenta whisk 2 cups of yellow cornmeal into 12 cups of boiling water. Add a pinch of sea salt and a bay leaf and simmer for about 45 minutes until thick and creamy stirring every few minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup of cashew milk. As the polenta cools down it will continue to thicken up until solid.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 555mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 686IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 4mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian Tofu, plant based, vegan,, wfpb

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 291kcal

Author: Florentina

Plant Based Recipes:

Baked Tofu Parmesan Recipe ~ Vegan (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.

Why is my baked tofu rubbery? ›

And then you had to bake it and then flip it. And when it came out, it was absolutely perfect, and I absolutely loved it. Why does tofu get rubbery? Because it was probably overcooked, it was probably exposed to too much heat.

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.

Why is my baked tofu chewy? ›

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.

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 does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

Dry off your sliced tofu on all sides using a lint-free kitchen towel or paper towels, then season with salt. 3. Add starch. A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating.

How do you know when tofu is done baking? ›

Allow tofu to cook, undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes or until the underside is golden brown and crispy. Step 2: Flip the tofu pieces and season the cooked side with salt. Allow the second side to cook for an additional 4 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and crispy.

Do you have to drain tofu before baking? ›

Buy Extra Firm: For grilling or baking, just buy extra firm tofu. Extra firm tofu is tofu that has already been pressed so that it's dense and packed together. You can blot it dry or just leave it out to drain on a layer of paper towels before using. Pressing it again isn't necessary at all.

What to season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

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.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Is tofu an 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.

Why is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

Why won't my tofu get crisp? This could likely be a result of not drying out the tofu enough to drain out the extra moisture. It's also possible that your oven temperature is not hot enough. Make sure it's preheated and heat the pan in the oven for extra crispness.

How do you get the most flavor out of tofu? ›

Simply press firm tofu and use your hands to break it up by smashing it between your fingers until it mimics the texture of scrambled eggs. Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies.

How do you get the best tofu texture? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

Why is my tofu so soft? ›

These are all the same kind of tofu, they just have varying amounts of water pressed out of them. The more water, the softer it is. The less water, the firmer it is. Although note that store-bought tofu is usually packaged in water, which has nothing to do with the level of water content still present.

How to dry out tofu in the oven? ›

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 tofu not crispy air fryer? ›

Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave a little space around each one. If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook.

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