Author: So here's the story: I originally made these baked tofu bites for my Vegan Cobb Salad recipe.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. New to tofu? Check out my tofu 101 guide!
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.
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Baked Tofu Bites
Servings:
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 blocks (12 oz/ 350 g each) extra-firm tofu, drained
Instructions
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.Air-Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix the coating: In a large bowl, combine the nutritional yeast, olive oil, soy sauce, and garlic powder.
- Prepare the tofu: Use your fingers to break the tofu into bite-sized chunks and add them to the bowl. (No need to press the tofu first.) Toss well to evenly coat each piece. The mixture will just barely coat the tofu, that’s exactly right. Don’t be tempted to thin it out. It’s not a marinade, but a light coating that clings to the tofu and helps it crisp up perfectly in the oven.
- Cook the tofu (choose ONE method):Oven: Spread the tofu evenly over the baking sheets and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly golden.Air-Fryer: Add the tofu to the air fryer basket and cook for about 20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until lightly golden.
- Serve or store: Enjoy hot, or let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Nutrition
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕Bon appetegan!
Sam
Kelly says
So I feel like I’ve tried just about every tofu recipe out there (and am a frequent user of all of the ingredients in this recipe - and yet I’ve never discovered this combination before) and this is the best tofu I’ve ever made!! These are SO addicting right off the pan, and I can see how versatile it is. This is definitely my new go-to tofu recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
YAY!!! So very happy you found your new go-to tofu, Kelly 🙂
Kristy says
These are amazing! I have had hit or miss luck with tofu recipes in the past, so I wasn’t getting my hopes up. I increased the marinade by 150% because my tofu blocks were 397 grams rather than 350g, and added a bunch of cayenne, and wow, perfect texture and flavor. These are Definitely going to replace my store-bought frozen bags of fake chicken that I use as a base for everything,! I purposely overcooked them To use on salads for the added crunch but I would probably bake them for the expected time if I was going to use them for tacos or fake chicken salad. I plan on adding some Frank’s red hot next time. These are so versatile and amazing! My meat eater husband who rolls his eyes When I swear that something is so good that he won’t even know the distan when I swear that something is so good that he won’t even know the difference, Specifically Requests more of these on the menu! Thanks so much for your life changing recipes
Kristy says
Sorry for the weird edit! My WiFi went funny as I was typing and duplicated a sentence !
Sam Turnbull says
Oh wow that's so awesome!!! So thrilled these hit the spot for you, Kristy! I hope you enjoy many more recipes as well 🙂
nicole dimartino says
I just made this recipe and WOW is it good, being the only vegan in my house the rest of my family had big steaks which were super red I the middle (gross) and they ended up hating them. I offered up some of these bites to my my brother (non vegan), since he didn't eat the beef steak and he loved them so much he ate his whole serving. seriously, these are amazing and so simple. thanks for posting a great recipe:)
Sam Turnbull says
Oh that is SO awesome!! It's always so great when the vegan dish tastes better!!!
Karen says
These are delicious, right off the pan. I have to make another batch so I can eat more. Thank you.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! You're welcome, Karen! SO happy you love them 🙂
Asha says
I tried making this recipe and unfortunately the tofu didn’t have any of the flavour of the marinade 🙁
Sam Turnbull says
Sorry you didn't enjoy it!
Tiffany B. says
OMG, even though I have made this plenty of times, for some reason it was smelling extra good, I took a small nibble before I put it in the oven. It tasted just like cold chicken salad. I had to hurry up and put it in the oven before I ate it cold!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha! Love it!
Samantha P says
In all honesty I came across this recipe when there was some extra tofu that would have overcrowded my Mexican marinade to make tacos. I had just a small tofu steak to try this recipe out, and was bummed that there wasn't more to toss in the oven......because this flavor blew my mind. As I popped the 1st cube in my mouth "is........is this CHICKEN?!?". The 8 other cubes never even made it to see a full minute out of the oven. I've always had tofu play the role of protein with veggies taking up most of the room in my dishes......but this tofu can stand on its own! No more will the tofu accompany the veggies, NOW the veggies will accompany the TOFU!
Sam Turnbull says
Bahahahaha! Love it so much!!! o happy you loved the recipe so much, Samantha. Great name by the way 😉
Melissa says
Sam...Thank you. Truely. I'm an italian Mama who loves her children through her food ( with all my heart ) We went animal friendly 2 years ago. Sigh... They threaten to jump out of the car and scavenge every time they see an urban chicken....But.. They EAT your food and they Like it. I love your recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's wonderful! So happy you enjoyed, Melissa 🙂
Rachel C says
These tofu bites work wonderfully in my air fryer. These little bites of goodness are great on salads and pasta for a little savory ommph! Also wanted to let you know I've been using this recipe with the softer Mori-Mu style tofu that comes in refrigerator free "juice boxes." I just dump the ingredients together in the processor, spoon out small balls into the air fryer tray, set it for 30 minutes on high, and ta-dah! Same great taste but with less fuss and even less shopping!
Sam Turnbull says
That sounds wonderful! So happy you love them so much, Rachel 🙂
Karen says
I've been making this recipe since you posted it!! I can't tell you how much I love it!! But, this week I decided to try something new. Instead of using tofu, I used oyster mushrooms. It was so delicious with the mushrooms. I thought you'd like to know so that perhaps you can try this.
Sam Turnbull says
Oh sounds delish!! So very happy you love the recipe so much 🙂
Lizzy says
I've been looking for ways to make tofu and this will definitely be one of those ways. Made it in the air fryer and put it on a salad. My husband kept trying to steal pieces from me. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha love it! So happy you loved the recipe so much, Lizzy 🙂
Alex says
I've been a vegetarian for 12 years and make tofu all the time -- but this simple marinade makes the best marinade I've ever had! It's so stunningly delicious and so simple. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
That's awesome!! So very happy you love the recipe so much 🙂
Hashmanis says
I just used your recipe to prepare tofu to be added at the last minute to a stir fry of onions, garlic, ginger and several large sweet peppers in a sauce of combined soy sauce and oyster sauce. The crispness of the tofu cubes was retained and they had absorbed some of the flavors of the sauce. I served it on fried noodles. Excellent!
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome, so happy you enjoyed!!
Dana Lindholm says
WONDERFUL !!! I love, LOVE these. Thank you.
Sam Turnbull says
You're welcome 🙂
Jen says
This is now officially my husband's favorite tofu! He asks for it at least once a week!
Sam Turnbull says
Yayyyyy!!!
Jo says
From this day forward = heavy rotation at my house! Great recipe, thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha!! Awesome!! Thrilled you love it so much, Jo 🙂
Beverly says
So easy! So versatile! So delicious!
I've made this recipe so many times, thinking there will be leftovers for another day and that never happens. Perhaps I should just make 4 cartons of tofu at a time!
YUMMY!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha!! Smart thinking, Beverly.
Elizabeth says
Love this recipe . It’s amazing , I use it in stir fry.
Sam Turnbull says
Perfect 🙂
Trina says
These tofu bites are to die for. I've made them so many times in the last couple of months I've lost count. I started doubling the soy, oil, garlic and yeast flakes because I like the extra flavor and texture it gives the tofu. Last night I subbed Cholulu Sauce for the soy sauce, but kept everything else the same. My husband and I loved them! Once they came out of the oven we tried them, then splashed a little more Cholulu on them before serving. They taste like buffalo wings, but so much better.
Sam Turnbull says
That's so awesome, Trina!! So happy you love them so much 😀
Tiffany says
Thank ypou Sam (and Chickpea),
I am happy eating tons of fruits and veg but the hubs not so much. He was a hamburger loving fool. One night he say a movie about meat and he immediately stopped eating he. He was very hateful towards tofu for no reason at all. I made these and he devoured them! I can't believe he trusted me enought to even try them. You site has given my family healthy meals. Thank you for what you do. I love your videos and your energy.!
Sam Turnbull says
That's so wonderful!!! Thrilled your husband loved the tofu so much, and so happy you are enjoying my site. Chickpea says hi 🙂
Kelly says
OMG - so very delicious and simple to make!!!! I ate half the pan before they were cooled 🙂 Love these on salad too! Even my non-vegan daughter who wrinkles her nose up at tofu tried these and agreed they were good/tasted like "chicken nuggets". Have made these several times now...SO GOOD! My new favorite tofu recipe! Thank you Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
That's so awesome, Kelly!!! Thrilled you love them so much 😀