So here's the story: I originally made these baked tofu bites for my Vegan Cobb Salad recipe. I was trying to aim for a simple tofu recipe with a "chicken-ish / chicken nuggets" vibe. Vibe achieved. These bites were easy to make, needed only 5 ingredients, flavourful, and perfect for my Cobb salad. But I also discovered that they were more than just perfect for a Cobb salad. These cube are bursting with flavor and are delicious all on their own. I'm actually surprised any tofu even made it to the salad as I couldn't stop eating them directly baking sheet. There will be no leftovers.
I decided I needed to share this recipe as it's own post so that you too could experience the awesomeness of this baked tofu. These crispy tofu bites have such an amazing texture, are scrumptious all on their own and they are perfect on a salad BUT they are so much more than that. This is one of those easy vegan recipes that, once you make it, you start discovering all of the wonderful ways these tofu bites can be used.
They are delicious served with buffalo sauce. They are delicious on top of pasta. They are delicious in a taco. They are delicious in a sandwich. They are delicious on nachos... I think you are starting to get it, these tofu bites are completely addictive and they are delicious EVERYWHERE!
I've been making large batches of these glorious tofu nuggets and storing them in the fridge in an air-tight container so they are ready to use whenever hunger strikes.
I like to make a big batch of these using two blocks of tofu at a time, but if you prefer you can cut the recipe in half and just use one block of tofu... But if you do decide to reduce the recipe, you might regret it. You have been warned.
Instructions on How to Make Baked Tofu Bites:
In a bowl (you can use a small bowl or large bowl depending on how many you want to make), mix together the nutritional yeast, olive oil, soy sauce and garlic powder. This is your marinade.
Drain excess moisture from the tofu block and then break into small chunks and add them to the bowl. (No need to press the tofu first).
Toss the tofu well to evenly coat in the sauce mixture. Spread the tofu evenly across the baking sheets and bake about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly golden.
Serve hot or store in an air-tight container in the fridge to use later, or they freeze well too. Great as main, as nuggets, on salads, on stir-fries, in sandwiches, in tacos, on pasta, on nachos, the options are endless, use these everywhere! Be sure to check out the recipe card for both oven and air fryer cooking instructions.
Baked Tofu Bites
Ingredients
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 blocks (350g each) extra-firm tofu, drained
Instructions
- OVEN:Â Preheat your oven to 375F (190C). Line 2 large baking sheet with parchment paper.AIR-FRYER:Â Preheat your air-fryer to 350F (180C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the nutritional yeast, olive oil, soy sauce and garlic powder. Break the block of tofu into small chunks and add them to the bowl. (No need to press the tofu first). Toss the tofu well to evenly coat in the sauce mixture.
- OVEN:Â Spread the tofu evenly across the baking sheets and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly golden.AIR-FRYER:Â add the tofu to the air-fryer and cook for about 20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until lightly golden.Serve hot or store in an air-tight container in the fridge, or freeze to use later. Great as main, as nuggets, on salads, in sandwiches, in tacos, on pasta, on nachos, the options are endless, use these everywhere!
Notes
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam
Suz says
yup, it's another keeper. so good and can be used in so many meals, if you don't eat it all first!
Having been a past meat eater, I have to say that after overnight in the fridge, it does taste like left over fried chicken.
there is just something about nutritional yeast that takes tofu to that next level. give it a try everyone.
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Next level indeed! Thanks for your review!
Monika says
Hi Sam,
I am still new to veganland and am having a similar bumpy start to your vegan journey. Someone in the Veganuary Facebook group posted your recipe for the baked Tofu bites, and how versatile this one simple way of baking tofu is. I just bought some tofu, but only left one packet in the fridge and froze the other two. I wish I had known how easy and tasty these baked tofu bites are because I couldn’t stop nibbling them still hot from the oven, and one block Tofu isn’t enough. Truly delicious and addictive.
Shelley says
This recipe is fantastic. I put these little nuggets on my salad! Addicted in Colorado
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Wonderful!
Jane says
I've been making these for some years now (long time fan) but this week I had tofu that had been frozen, and also I had already made the marinade for a large batch when I realized I only had enough (defrosted) tofu for a half batch, but I squeezed the water out of the tofu and used the whole marinade and...wow, I just ate the whole thing right off the pan. The texture of the defrosted tofu, with double the flavour - amazing!