Baked Tofu Tenders

What Makes This Crispy Tofu Different

It is no ordinary tofu recipe. Crispy and crunchy on the outer side, juicy and mushy on the inside and they are very tasty indeed. This recipe is a terrific way to make people question everything that they thought green was healthy. This simple dish turns bland tofu into something great; a delicious plant-based version of fried chicken tenders, minus the frying. It means a reduced amount of calories, less waste, and the crunch you desire.

They are also double fried in seasoned panko and cornstarch which makes them addictively crunchy as opposed to the mushy or flavorless Tofu. Vegans, vegetarians, or tofu-curious, alike, this food is going to come as a shock and a pleasant one at that.

Homemade Vegan Chicken Nuggets

These tofu tenders are really nothing more than home made vegan chicken nuggets, although children love them too. They’re:

• Source of plant-based protein

• Dairy-free and egg-free by nature

• Baked in the oven to be healthy!

• It can be made to your liking using your own choice of spices/sauce

They are good to eat alone or with ketchup, vegan ranch, and BBQ sauce, or sweet chili.

The Tofu

Which tofu is the best to use?

The best texture is done with extra-firm tofu. It retains its shape and resembles the same chewing of classic tenders. In order to achieve the crispiest possible results:

• Squeeze the tofu 15-30 mins to get rid of the water.

• Cut into fingers or nugget sized 1/2 inch thick chunks.

This allows the tofu to take in marinade, and retain the crispiness of its coating.

The Panko Breadcrumbs

You have to have panko to make that crunchy golden-brown crust. Panko breadcrumbs are flakier and lighter than the classic ones and are therefore best suited to be used when coating tofu. So that it will be extra crispy:

• Optional but great to toast panko in a pan a little bit first.

• When necessary, use panko that is free of gluten.

The Herbs and Spices

Tofu needs a fantastic blending of spices to liven it up. Our blend consists of:

• Garlic powder

• Smoked paprika

• Onion powder

• Black pepper

• Salt

• Nutritional yeast (as a cheesy, savory flavor)

Use as much heat as you wish with cayenne pepper or other dried herbs such as thyme or oregano.

The Cornstarch

The secret to that crunchy fried-like finish is cornstarch. It aids in making the tofu have a fine, crispy shell that forms a perfect binding to the breadcrumb coating. Arrowroot powder or potato starch can be used as well.

How to Make Breaded Tofu

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Thin squeeze out moisture in tofu.

2. Cut into tenders or nuggets size.

3. A store things in three bowls:

• Bowl 1: Cornstarch seasoning
• Bowl 2: Unsweetened plant milk
• Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs

4. Dip cornstarch, then milk and panko and mix with cornstarch.

5. Bake in a parchment-covered cookie sheet.

6. Bake in the oven preheated to 400°F (200° C) for 25-30 minutes or until it turned golden brown and crispy, turning half way through.

How to Make the Hot “Honey” Glaze for the Crispy Oven Tofu

To give baked tofu tenders a sweet-spicy zing, drizzle with vegan hot honey glaze.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp maple syrup or agave
  
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes or hot sauce
  
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Mix things in a small sauce pan.
2. Warm by heating for two to three minutes.
3. Add over tofu tenders just before serving: tofu tenders can be tossed or drizzled at the last moment.

How to Make It Gluten-Free

To make Gluten Free Baked Tofu Tenders:

• Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs should be used
• Use tamari, or gluten-free soy sauce (if using)
• Make sure all the sauces and seasoning mixtures are gluten-free

Such modifications render the dish completely allergy-friendly and gluten-free and do not compromise its taste and texture.

Storage and Reheating

Storage:

 To preserve the remaining tofu tenders, store them in a tightly sealed container that is kept inside the refrigerator.

Reheating:

To be crispy:

• Return to the oven where it should be reheated at 375°F (190°C) in 10-12 minutes
• Or fry in air, 350°F for 6 mins.
• Do not microwave it as it will be fatter on a crispy coating.

Equipment

• Parchment paper baking sheet

• Weighted plate or tofu press

• Mixing bowls

• Breading fork or Tongs

• Air fryer or oven

Optional: Use an air fryer to make the texture smoother and to cook faster.

What to Serve with Breaded Tofu

These are some of the possibilities to pair crispy baked tofu tenders with:

• Roast vegetables, or fries i.e Sweet potato fries

• Vegan mac and cheese

• Lemon vinaigrette dressing green salad

• Rice, quinoa, or farro bowls with grains wherein grain bowls typically look like rice dishes with a main subject, which is the grain and rice, in the dish and then has additional side objects, which are the varieties of grain and rice to enhance the meals.

• Dup sides: vegan ran, mustard, bbq, Tahini sauce, or buffalo sauce

Air Fryer Method

• Do the same process with breading.
• Preheat the air fryer at 375°F (190°C).
• Place into a single layer (if it’s necessary do batches).
• Cook at 200°C (400°F), give a half turn and cook for a further 12–15 minutes.

Oven Method

1. Cook in a parchment-lined pan 400°F (200°C).
2. Turn Once to brown.
3. Let it bake until golden and the crispiest part is around 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 240
  
• Protein: 14g
  
• Carbohydrates: 22g
  
• Fat: 11g
  
• Saturated Fat: 1g
  
• Fiber: 2g
  
• Sugar: 3g
  
• Sodium: 330mg
  

The nutrition depends on the ingredients and the use of the glazes.

Review

Have you had the Baked Tofu Tenders? Do tell us how they betook themselves! Review and Rate this below, tell me what spices you used to cook, or what you ate them with. Your reviews will assist other readers and encourage more customers to discover the possibilities of tofu by taking it to new heights!

These baked tofu tenders are the best plant-based comfort food as they are crispy, flavorful and will leave you 100 percent satisfied. It behooves you to eat healthy, whether you want to be a vegan or not, this recipe is one that you should have in your repertoire simply because it tastes good.