Need a quick and flavorful dinner idea? This baked teriyaki tofu features crispy tofu coated in a sticky and flavorful teriyaki sauce. It comes together in just 30 minutes and can be made in the oven or air fryer!
It's a quick yet delicious weeknight dinner that's honestly better than takeout! I especially love pairing it with simple Japanese sides like cucumber maki, yasai itame, or a refreshing wakame seaweed salad to round out the meal.
We're big fans of all things teriyaki-whether it's homemade spicy teriyaki sauce, teriyaki tofu stir-fry, or teriyaki soba noodles! This baked tofu is our latest obsession, and we love serving it over rice with steamed broccoli for a cozy, satisfying dinner.
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💚Why you will love this teriyaki baked tofu
- Features crispy baked tofu coated in a sticky and flavorful teriyaki sauce.
- Cheaper and healthier than takeout - tofu is baked instead of fried!
- Simple to make and only requires 10-15 minutes of prep time
- It's highly versatile - serve it over rice, noodles, or stir-fry noodles (especially my vegan yakisoba!)
🧄What you will need
- Tofu - Use extra-firm or firm tofu that's been pressed beforehand, either with a tofu press or by stacking something heavy on top. This helps remove excess moisture so the tofu gets nice and crispy.
- Cornstarch - Key to getting that irresistible crispy coating on the tofu-don't skip it!
Oil - I'm using olive oil here, but any neutral-tasting oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil will work just fine. - Mirin - A mild Japanese cooking wine with a subtly sweet and tangy flavor. If you don't have it, substitute with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar + 3 tablespoons water + 1-2 tablespoons sugar.
- Sugar - Any type of sugar works here. You can also use sugar substitutes like erythritol if preferred.
- Shoyu - I recommend using Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) for the best flavor, but regular soy sauce works too if that's what you have on hand.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✨Substitutions and add-ins
- Using store-bought sauce - For a quicker option, feel free to use ½ to ¾ cup of store-bought teriyaki sauce. Just make sure to check the label to ensure it's vegan-friendly!
- Make it saucier - Want more sauce? Simply double the teriyaki sauce ingredients so you've got plenty to drizzle over your rice and veggies.
- Add some heat - For a spicy kick, mix 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes or sriracha into the teriyaki sauce. Or, make a batch of my spicy teriyaki sauce!
- Substitute the tofu - Not a tofu fan? Swap it with tempeh, rehydrated soy curls, or seitan chicken for a delicious twist. If you're into seitan, check out my teriyaki seitan chicken recipe for inspiration!
- Mix in vegetables - Boost the nutrients by tossing in some blanched or steamed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots. If you're adding veggies, I recommend doubling the sauce to make sure everything is nicely coated!
🔪How to make teriyaki tofu
Step 1: Tear tofu into bite-sized chunks and toss them in cornstarch, soy sauce, and oil. Arrange them on a lined baking tray.
Step 2: Bake in an oven preheated to 200C (400F) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
🍳Cook tofu in the air fryer
Place the coated tofu in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C/350°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy. For smaller air fryers, cook in 2-3 batches for the best results.
Step 3: While baking the tofu, make teriyaki sauce. Combine all ingredients needed and mix well.
Step 4: Heat some oil in a pan and add ginger and garlic. Fry for a minute until aromatic.
Step 5: Add seasoning-cornstarch mixture to the pan. Allow to simmer until thickened.
Step 6: Remove from heat, then toss in tofu cubes once they are done baking. Enjoy baked teriyaki tofu while it's hot.
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🍚How to serve
Top your baked teriyaki tofu with toasted sesame seeds or a sprinkle of chili flakes for an extra crunch and burst of flavor.
For a simple, satisfying dinner, serve it with steamed rice (or Japanese rice) and your favorite veggies-blanched broccoli, cauliflower, or bok choy all make great options. You could also whip up some soy sauce green beans or a comforting bowl of cabbage miso soup.
Craving something heartier? Pair it with fried rice or noodles like frozen vegetable fried rice, vegan japchae, or peanut sauce rice noodles for a truly filling meal.
❄️Storage and meal prep tips
For meal prep, batch-make this recipe, but keep the sauce and tofu separate. When you're ready to serve, bake the tofu at 180°C (350°F) for 5-8 minutes to restore its crispy texture. Meanwhile, heat the teriyaki sauce on the stove, then toss the tofu in the sauce before serving.
The teriyaki sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Feel free to double or even triple the recipe. It's perfect for other stir-fries, drizzling over poke bowls, or as a dipping sauce for vegan egg rolls or tofu dumplings!
❔Commonly asked questions
If your baked tofu isn't crispy, it's probably because the tofu wasn't pressed to remove excess moisture, which will prevent tofu from crisping up properly. And don't skip the cornstarch, as it helps absorb any remaining moisture and ensures a crispy exterior!
Tofu is done baking when it turns golden brown and has developed a crispy outer layer, around 20-25 minutes.
Freezing is not recommended for teriyaki tofu. After freezing and thawing, tofu tends to release water, which can cause tofu to lose its crispiness even after reheating.
🍽️More tofu recipes
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Baked Teriyaki Tofu
Ingredients
For tofu
- 1 block extra-firm tofu or firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil
- 1 tablespoon shoyu or soy sauce/tamari
Instructions
Baking tofu
- Preheat oven to 200C/ 400F. Tear tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Add cornstarch, soy sauce, and oil. Gently mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Arrange tofu in one layer in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown, giving it a stir halfway through.
Making teriyaki tofu
- While tofu is baking, make the teriyaki sauce. Combine water, seasonings, and cornstarch. Stir until cornstarch has dissolved.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat, Add ginger and garlic, then fry for a minute until aromatic.
- Add seasoning cornstarch mixture to the pan. Allow to simmer until thickened. Give it a taste, adding more seasonings if needed.
- Remove from heat, then toss in tofu cubes once they are done baking. Enjoy crispy teriyaki tofu while hot!
Notes
- Using store-bought sauce - For a quicker option, use ½ to ¾ cup of store-bought teriyaki sauce. Make sure to check the label to ensure it's vegan-friendly!
- Make it saucier - Double the teriyaki sauce ingredients to have extra drizzling over your rice and veggies.
- Add some heat - Mix 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes or sriracha into the teriyaki sauce for a spicy kick. Or, try my spicy teriyaki sauce for an extra bold flavor.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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