I want you to love tofu. Sometimes I feel like my mission is to make tofu appealing. Why? Well, it may be one of the most perfect foods. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, high in plant-protein and study after study has found that 1-2 servings a day is beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer, protecting bones and reducing the occurrence of hot flashes in menopausal women.

However tofu, like tempeh, can be gross if you don’t prepare it properly. I know, I’ve been there. I spent most of my first year as a vegetarian with soggy, bland tofu dishes. In fact, the first block of tofu I ever bought I ended up throwing away because I couldn’t force myself to actually cook with it.

Well, not anymore. Now I put tofu on just about everything: salads, sandwiches, stir-frys or simply to snack on during the day. Here is my fool-proof recipe for crispy baked tofu every time.

How to Make Crispy Baked Tofu

1. Press Tofu

   For crispy baked tofu, it needs to be pressed first. To do this, wrap the tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy object on top, like a pan or canned goods. Alternatively, you can use a tofu press specifically designed for getting the excess water out of tofu. You’ll want to let the tofu drain for at least 15 minutes.

   2. Cut Tofu

You can cut the tofu into any shape you’d like. For salads and stir-fries, I typically cube it. However, you can slice into triangles or slabs depending on your needs.

3. Toss with cornstarch, soy sauce and seasoning

Next, toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch, soy sauce and seasoning. The cornstarch gets the tofu texture extra crispy and the soy sauce and optional seasonings bring in flavor. You’ll want to add some type of seasoning if you are going to enjoy this tofu on it’s own. If you plan on adding it to a dish with a sauce, like a stir-fry, buddha bowl or pad thai, you don’t have to add any additional seasonings as the tofu will absorb the sauce once it’s added. Not a fan of cornstarch? Use arrowroot powder instead.

4. Bake until crispy

Lastly, place the cubes (or other shape) in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook until crispy, about 25-30 minutes. You’ll want to bake in a single layer so that the tofu doesn’t steam when stacked on top of each other.

That’s it! Four simple steps to perfect crispy baked tofu without a deep fryer. Once you try this, you’ll be making this crispy baked tofu recipe over and over again. Enjoy it in these vegan recipes: Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowls, Harissa Tahini Tofu Bowl, Thai Coconut Buddha Bowls, Butternut Squash Tahini Bowls

Watch How to Make Crispy Baked Tofu below: