The BEST Crispy Baked Tofu (Oil-Free)

Let me show you how to cook tofu without oil. It's super simple and you only need a few ingredients to get great results! This crispy baked tofu is perfect to use for tacos, wraps, salads, and pasta, or to coat with your favorite sauce.

This baked tofu recipe is a staple in my house and I make it at least a few times a month. It's super easy to make and you won't believe how crispy the tofu gets without using any oil! It can be used to make so many different meals, so this is a great recipe to have in your collection.

It's actually really simple. The secret to giving tofu a nice crust and texture without using oil is to use a little bit of liquid to help a blend of seasonings stick to it, and then cook it at a high temperature. I've eaten a lot of tofu over the years (good and bad), and this method really works!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Tofu - You'll need firm or extra firm tofu. Don't use silken tofu, it's too soft.
• Low-Sodium Tamari - You can also use coconut aminos, soy sauce, or soy-free soy sauce. 
• Nutritional Yeast - Nooch adds so much flavor and texture to the tofu's crispy crust. I also like this nutritional yeast from Trader Joe's.
• Taco Seasoning - I like this taco seasoning because it's made without salt and it's very flavorful. The tamari is salty, so you don't really need to add extra salt. You can also make something similar yourself if you prefer with this recipe. 

How To Cook Tofu Without Oil

Begin by pressing one block of firm tofu in a press over a plate (to catch the water) for 30 minutes (Photo 1). After 30 minutes, drain the liquid and lay the block of tofu on a parchment paper-lined tray (Photos 2 & 3). Use a sharp knife to cut the block into 4 slices that are 1-inch wide.

Next, cut the block into 4 slices in the other direction. Then, lay the slices down and cut each row in half again. You should end up with 32 cubes. (Photos 4-6).

Sprinkle tamari over the top and use a large spoon to quickly toss the cubes around the tray to evenly distribute the liquid (Photos 7 & 8). This light coating of tamari seasons the tofu and makes it slightly damp so the dry seasonings will stick without using oil. 

Sprinkle nutritional yeast and taco seasonings over the tofu (Photos 9 & 10). Toss to coat each piece in the seasonings and arrange the cubes so they're not touching each other on the tray (Photo 11). Bake until crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Hands down, my favorite way to enjoy this crispy tofu is to add it to a wrap or tacos and stuff it with lettuce, tomato, avocado slices, green onion, and hot sauce or vegan ranch! However, this is a delicious and inexpensive source of plant-based protein that can be used to make a variety of different recipes. Try adding it to the following dishes:

• Cilantro Lime Quinoa
• Avocado Arugula Tomato Salad 
• Taco Pasta 
• Southwest Quinoa Salad

You could also toss the tofu in one cup of buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce and serve it with a side of creamy broccoli salad or lemon tahini zucchini salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Success Tips

• You need to use firm or extra firm tofu for this recipe. I like to buy the 4-pack of organic tofu from Costco because it's good quality and it's the best price that I've found anywhere. I make this recipe quite often, so it's nice to have multiple packs on hand.
• Don't skip pressing the tofu! If you do, the tofu won't turn out crispy and the texture will be soft and mushy.
• Line your baking tray with unbleached parchment paper so nothing will stick to the tray and it makes cleaning up a breeze.

Want More Tofu Recipes Without Oil?