Chili Garlic Crispy Tofu

This chili garlic crispy tofu recipe is so easy to make, baked in the oven (or air fryer!) and then tossed in a delicious spicy chili garlic sauce. This vegan tofu recipe is gluten free and perfect for a simple family dinner, especially with my vegan fried rice!

Most people either love or hate tofu. It definitely gets a bad rap, but when done properly, tofu can be full of flavor and such a healthy addition to any diet.

This crispy tofu is vegan, gluten free and so easy to make. We’ll be using a simple chili garlic sauce, but you are welcome to use my peanut sauce, teriyaki sauce or any other sauce you prefer.

Or, if you don’t want to add a sauce, simply mix in some additional seasonings to the breadcrumbs such as paprika, garlic, onion powder etc. and serve with your favorite sauce on the side.

Plus, you can air fry or oven bake it! I do not recommend pan frying because you won’t get the same crisp as you will from the air fryer or oven.

This recipe is the perfect addition to salads, buddha bowls or a simple plant-based dinner. If you love this recipe, try my teriyaki tofu, tofu burrito bowl or Gochujang tofu next!

Before we get started…

• I used gluten free soy sauce (tamari) but you can use regular if you are not gluten free. Either way, I suggest low sodium!
• I used gluten free breadcrumbs, but regular are fine too. Just make sure they are plain and not an Italian blend.
• You can sub tapioca or arrowroot for the cornstarch.

How to make baked crispy tofu

PRESS TOFU. Remove the tofu from the package and drain off the excess liquid. Cut into 1 inch cubes. Cover with a towel and place a heavy object on top. Press for 20-30 minutes.

TOSS WITH BREADCRUMBS. Toss with the soy sauce/tamari, then the cornstarch and garlic, then the breadcrumbs.

BAKE. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Try to keep each piece evenly space to ensure they’re all able to get crispy. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

PREP SAUCE. Meanwhile, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce in a small pan on the stove.

Bring to a low boil, then let simmer, whisking occasionally, until thick. Remove from the heat.

SERVE. Let the tofu cool for a few minutes once it has baked, then toss with the sauce and serve immediately.

Do I need to press tofu?

If you want very crispy tofu, I do recommend pressing it. Even just 20-30 minutes can make a big difference for the final texture.

With some recipes, you can get away with not pressing, and it won’t be the end of the world if you don’t press it here, but removing some excess liquid allows the tofu to get crispier.

The key here is to cut the tofu into small cubes before pressing it. This allows you to press for a shorter amount of time and get even crispier tofu.

How to store and reheat

Storage: Tofu is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, simply store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Once the tofu is baked/air fried, I do not recommend freezing it. The texture won’t hold up very well when it defrosts.

Reheating: For the best results, reheat tofu in the air frier at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes. You can also reheat tofu on the stove for a couple of minutes until warm and crispy.

Do I need to marinate tofu?

For this recipe, no! Pressing the tofu is more important than marinating it if you want super crispy tofu.

Marinating is great when you want to infuse a lot of flavor, but that can often cause it to get a soggier texture, which we’re trying to avoid!

Just be sure you use extra firm tofu, firm or medium tofu will not get nearly as crispy.

Is it better to bake or pan fry?

I have never had much luck cooking tofu in a pan. Any crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is never fun.

Plus, it requires a lot more oil, and you don’t need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu when cooked in the oven or air fryer. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides.

More tofu recipes you’ll love!

• Sesame Tofu
• Lemon Pepper Tofu
• Orange Tofu
• Kung Pao Tofu

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out! Be sure to follow me on instagram and subscribe to my newsletter for more recipes.