Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (2024)

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Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (2)

Baked Tofu: Next to cauliflower and broccoli, tofu is my husband’s favorite. I’m in the constant look out for tofu recipes. Actually he would eat anything vegetarian if it’s healthy. For me the criteria is, it has to taste good. So I experiment with tofu recipes to satisfy both our needs.

So far our favorite is tofu paratha. I drain the tofu well, grate it, add some Indian spices and divide the mixture into small balls. Then proceed to prepare the parathas as usual, using the tofu stuffing.

The Tofu Mango Pudding did not get his vote. The truth is he is not a “dessert” person. My son, my mother and I loved it very much.

Paneer is my most favorite and his least favorite. He doesn’t eat it because of the fat content and caloric value. I wish I have the self control like him, I would be 30 pounds lighter! Because he doesn’t eat paneer and I love dishes made with paneer I try to make tofu recipes Indian style. Over the years have tried a variety of Indian tofu recipes substituting tofu for paneer.

The key is to use extra-firm tofu so that it would hold it’s shape. Also draining the water is a crucial step. Another important procedure is marinating the tofu with spices and herbs for it to soak the taste and flavor in few Indian tofu recipes. Once these three are taken care, you can prepare almost any recipe using paneer with tofu in Indian style. Tofu sides, tofu snacks, tofu desert, you name it you can make it.

Recently I was going through a South Indian cookbook and found a recipe for paneer tikkis. The original recipe mentioned to grill it in a convection microwave oven. Of course I had to use tofu and because I did not have that sort of microwave oven I had to use my regular oven to make this baked tofu recipe. I also mixed up some spices that I had in my kitchen counter and this baked tofu Indian style turned out very tasty.

Want to make something similar? A healthy, quick, no fuss snack? Then try this baked chickpeas recipe too.

Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (3)

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Prep TimeCook TimeMakes
1 Hr40 Mins32 Pieces
AuthorCategoryMethod
MadhuramSnacks/AppetizersBaking

Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (4)

4.9 from 11 reviews

Want to try tofu recipe Indian style? This baked tofu recipe is a good one to try. With a blend of flavourful Indian spices, marinating it enough, helps the tofu to soak up the flavour and the result is this delicious baked tofu.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Packet (14Oz) Extra Firm Tofu

For The Marinade:

  • 3 Tablespoons Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
  • A Pinch Turmeric Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt (As Per Your Taste)
  • Juice Of 1/2 Lemon Lemon Juice
  • As Needed Red Food Color (Optional)

Procedure:

  1. Open the tofu packet and drain the water. Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place some weight on it and leave it for 30 minutes. After draining the water cut the tofu into cubes of 1cm thickness. I got around 20 pieces.
  2. Take a 1 gallon ziploc bag and add all the ingredients required for the marinade in the bag.
  3. Whisk it with a fork and add the tofu cubes in the bag. Remove the air out and close the bag and toss it well to coat all the tofu pieces with the marinade.
  4. Leave it in the fridge for 30-45 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile preheat the oven at 425F/220C for 15 minutes.
  6. Grease a baking sheet lightly, place the tofu pieces and bake it for 25-30 minutes, turning once in the middle.
  7. To have a crispy outer, broil it for another 8-10 minutes.

Taste:

  1. We don’t eat very spicy foods. So taste the marinade to check the spices and add accordingly to suit your taste. Since tofu is bland, it definitely requires more seasoning than you would normally use.

My Notes:

  1. If you are a paneer fan like me you are not going to like the tofu tikkis immediately. For those who have not tasted tofu before, though they both look alike, the taste is totally different. So don’t expect the taste of paneer tikka. Try to appreciate the taste of tofu and then you would love it. After eating 3-4 pieces, I started liking it. Now this is my husband’s favorite.
  2. The marinading can be done in a bowl too. I saw the ziploc bag method in Food TV, so I thought of giving it a try. It’s definitely easy and no clean up. Simply toss the bag in the trash later.

Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (6)

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Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (7)
Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when baked tofu is done? ›

Bake the tofu for 20 to 30 minutes, until it's darkened at the edges and the edges are a little crisp. Rotate the pan 180 degrees halfway through to promote even cooking.

Why is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

Why won't my tofu get crisp? This could likely be a result of not drying out the tofu enough to drain out the extra moisture. It's also possible that your oven temperature is not hot enough. Make sure it's preheated and heat the pan in the oven for extra crispness.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

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!

Is it better to pan fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

How many minutes should I cook tofu? ›

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.

Does tofu need to be fully cooked? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

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.

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.

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.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

How to prepare tofu for beginners? ›

A Guide to Cooking Tofu for Beginners
  1. Step 1: Buy the best variety of tofu for what you're cooking. ...
  2. Step 2: Press and drain the tofu. ...
  3. Step 3: Marinate tofu for maximum flavor. ...
  4. Step 3: Cook tofu in the oven, on the stove, or on the grill.

What do you season tofu with? ›

Coat the tofu.

Then add your tofu to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle it with olive oil, and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle evenly with cornstarch and seasonings (I use garlic powder, salt and pepper). Toss gently again until the tofu is evenly coated.

Should tofu be cooked before adding to curry? ›

In addition to the Indian dishes, cooked tofu can be added to the Vegan Thai Green Curry, Pad Thai, Panang Curry or used in Thai red curry to substitute chicken. Note: Simply stir in baked/air-fried/pan-fried tofu just before you are ready to serve the dish! There is no need to cook it again.

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.

What consistency should cooked tofu be? ›

Soft tofu is excenllent for “tofu scramble” It imitates scrambled eggs. Extra firm tofu is great, cubed for stir fry type dishes. It doesn't take much heat, and is the last ingredient to go in the pan. Firm or extra firm tofu works best in most dishes cooked in a pan (and you can grill/broil it as well).

What is the consistency of cooked tofu? ›

Baking tofu gives the tofu a chewier texture and pan-frying the tofu will crisp up the exterior while leaving the inside nice and soft. It depends on what you're looking for and what you're cooking.

Should cooked tofu be squishy? ›

It's known as the squishy protein replacement that most carnivores don't even dare to touch. But while tofu can be served on the softer side, its actually really enjoyable when its cooked correctly in its crispy state. Because its compacted soy-bean it can also soak in some flavor.

How long is baked tofu good? ›

Tofu that has been cooked and incorporated into a dish will generally last about 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator, or about 3 months in the freezer. This is assuming the tofu hasn't been prepared with other ingredients that have a shorter shelf life, which will in turn shorten the shelf-life of the entire dish.

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