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.

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 is a substitute for cornstarch in baked tofu? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

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.

What does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

Do you have to press tofu before baking? ›

Do You Need to Press Tofu? Not all types of tofu need to be pressed. For example, Japanese-style silken tofu and Chinese-style soft tofu are not pressed. Firm and extra-firm tofu, which is typically sliced or cubed, should be pressed.

Why can't you eat a lot of tofu? ›

Potential Risks of Tofu

Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.

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.

What is the downside of eating too much tofu? ›

The significant disadvantages of Tofu may cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of soy allergies include skin rash, inflammation, itching, fainting, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain and throat swelling. In rare scenarios, Tofu may cause osteoporosis and estrogen-related cancer.

Why is cornstarch not vegan? ›

If you've been vegan for a while you might have noticed by now that things are sometimes not as vegan as they look. While cornstarch itself does not contain any animal products, the production process is not free from cruelty or exploitation.

Do you coat tofu in flour or cornstarch? ›

Coating your tofu with a mixture of cornstarch and salt will give it a crunchy coating with great flavor. You can also use potato starch, regular flour, or even gluten-free flour instead of cornstarch, but the cornstarch crisps up the best. You can bake, pan-fry, or deep fry your tofu.

Can vegans use cornstarch? ›

When used correctly and in appropriate amounts, cornstarch is translucent and tasteless. Because cornstarch consists of nothing but corn endosperm, cornstarch is indeed vegan.

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.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Toss the cubes with olive oil, tamari or soy sauce, and sriracha. If desired, you could also add cornstarch to make the cubes extra crispy.

What should I 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.

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 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.

Do you cook tofu on high or low heat? ›

Instructions. Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes and cut into cubes. Add a small amount of oil to a non-stick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add tofu to pan and brown on each side for about 1-2 minutes for a total of about 15 minutes.

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