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 is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

2) Squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Water-logged tofu never gets super crispy. The key here is to slice the tofu into pieces before pressing it.

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.

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.

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.

Why can't you eat a lot of tofu? ›

If you consider its minerals and vitamins alone, tofu is a healthy choice for people to consider, says Mok. But "a misconception is how soy impacts hormone levels," she says, "And [that] eating too much soy may be causing some health issues." Mok says this is untrue.

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 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 a vegan alternative to cornstarch? ›

7 Options When You Need a Cornstarch Substitute
  • Potato Starch. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, paleo-friendly. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, paleo-friendly. ...
  • All-Purpose Flour. Pros: Vegan. ...
  • Xanthan Gum. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly. ...
  • Tapioca. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • Guar Gum.
Jun 10, 2021

How to make tofu taste good? ›

Press tofu and cube it. 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.

Can vegans eat cornstarch? ›

Because cornstarch consists of nothing but corn endosperm, cornstarch is indeed vegan. I've looked at tons of packages and looked online for non-vegan cornstarch brands, but can't find any.

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.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baking is my go-to method for how to cook tofu. It yields flavorful, firm cubes that are perfect for adding to a stir fry, salad, or bowl!

Do you have to press tofu before baking? ›

In many recipes—crispy tofu nuggets, for example—you can skip this lengthy step. You'll see this instruction over and over and over in tofu recipes: Press the block for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour, before cooking.

How do you cook tofu so it's not mushy? ›

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

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.

How to dry tofu for baking? ›

Drain, remove it from the package and place between two thick towels folded into the shape of the tofu. Then place a plate or bowl on top and top it with something heavy like a book or skillet. Alternatively, use a tofu press. Let it dry for about 15 minutes, changing your towels if they get too wet.

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