Sesame Tofu Recipe (Baked) (2024)

Published: Nov 17, 2023 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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This crispy Sesame Tofu recipe is quick and easy to make. Air fry, bake, or pan-fry. Gluten-free and oil-free options, crispy and healthy, with a lightly sweetened tangy sauce. This egg-free, Chinese-style vegan recipe uses sesame seeds and crushed cornflakes or panko for the crust.

this RECIPE

This is a tofu recipe that everyone will enjoy! Plus, it can easily be made without oil or gluten without compromising on flavor and texture. This is one of my go-to protein dishes because it's so easy to make, and it always turns out delicious. Pair sesame tofu with my easy dipping sauce for serving.

This sesame tofu recipe was inspired by my crispy Panko Tofu, as well as this Tofu Korean Kimchi Fried Rice recipe.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🧄 Substitutions
📖 How to Make Sesame Tofu
💡 Expert Tips
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Extra firm or super firm tofu
Cornstarch
Sesame oil (optional)
Rice vinegar
Tamari or soy sauce
Aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
Garlic powder
Sesame seeds
Panko or crushed cornflakes

See the recipe card for quantities.

🧄 Substitutions

Garlic powder - use one minced clove of fresh garlic instead
Ginger - add one tablespoon of grated ginger to the marinade for more flavor
Soy sauce - use gluten-free tamari instead for no gluten
Panko - substitute with gluten-free panko, crushed cornflakes, or an equal amount of sesame seeds for gluten-free
Cornstarch - use arrowroot instead as desired
Tofu - use superfirm tofu which is pre-pressed to save time (Nasoya or Wildwood brands)

Try my panko tofu recipe for an allergy-friendly option. It's made without sesame seeds. For more easy and healthy tofu recipes, visit my Tofu Recipes page on this site.

📖 How to Make Sesame Tofu

For the full recipe, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.

Step 1. Marinate:Transfer the tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder to a shallow dish. Mix well. Place the sliced tofu into the dish in a single layer. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, flipping them over after 15 minutes.

Step 2. Set up the tofu coating station with sesame seeds and panko, cornstarch, and aquafaba.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Step 3. Coat the tofu:Take one piece of the marinated tofu and shake off any excess marinade. Lightly coat it in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.

Step 4. Then dip the piece into the aquafaba, letting any excess drip off.

Step 5. Dip the tofu into the panko and sesame seeds. Press gently to coat evenly.

Step 6. Transfer the coated tofu to a large nonstick baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pieces. Optional: lightly spray the pieces with cooking oil.

💡 Expert Tips

Oil is optional but a little goes a long way in getting the sesame tofu crispy and golden brown. I recommend spraying the coated tofu lightly with oil.
For cooking: Either bake, air fry or pan fry the sesame tofu. Spread the tofu in a single layer with enough space between the pieces for hot air to pass through. This way, the tofu will brown evenly.
Serve the easy dipping sauce at room temperature. Make it right before serving or ahead of time. It is quick and easy to make. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Storage: Refrigerate the remaining Sesame Tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375ºF for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through, flipping the tofu over halfway. Or reheat in the microwave.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can I pan-fry sesame tofu?

To pan-fry, add oil to a medium skillet. (The oil should reach about halfway up the sides of the tofu.) Heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully transfer the tofu to the pan. Place the pieces about 2 inches apart. (Work in batches as needed). Cook the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden brown.

Can I cook tofu without pressing it?

Pressing tofu removes excess liquid so the pores can more easily absorb the flavorful marinade, for a more flavorful tofu. It also gets the tofu more crispy upon cooking.
Super firm tofu comes pre-pressed. Nasoya and Wildwood brands make super-firm tofu. I suggest purchasing this option if it is available to you. Read my 'How to Cook Tofu' post for more tips for cooking the best tofu.

Can I substitute a warm sauce for the easy dipping sauce to serve with sesame tofu?

Most sauces work with this sesame tofu recipe. Use warmed store-bought teriyaki sauce, or make a quick warm Asian sauce with tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, (toasted sesame oil), water, fresh ginger, and garlic to taste. Heat until reduced, and add cornstarch to thicken.

Simple Tofu Noodles
Tofu Sandwich (Vegan Pastrami)
Panko Tofu Recipe (Baked)

👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?

Leave a review for my Baked Sesame Tofu recipe and share your creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.

I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.

📖 Recipe

Sesame Tofu (Baked)

Nisha Melvani

This Sesame Tofu recipe is quick and easy to make. Air fry or bake (oil-free option). Gluten-free, crispy, & healthy, with a delicious sauce.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the tofu marinade:

▢ 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
▢ 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
▢ 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Tofu and Breading:

▢ 14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu pressed and drained
▢ ¼ cup cornstarch or arrowroot
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ¼ cup aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
▢ ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sesame seeds white, or a mix of black and white
▢ 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or 3 tablespoons more sesame seeds

Optional Easy Dipping Sauce for serving:

▢ ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce (preferably reduced sodium)
▢ ¼ cup rice vinegar
▢ 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup or to taste
▢ ½ teaspoon sriracha (optional)
▢ 2 teaspoons grated ginger
▢ 1 large clove minced garlic
▢ 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

Make the marinade: Transfer the tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder to a shallow dish, about 8x8 inches. Mix well to combine.
Slice and marinate the tofu into about 8 (½-inch-thick)squares or rectangles (2x2 or 2x3 inches).
Place the sliced tofu into the dish in a single layer. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, flipping them over after 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
For coating: Transfer the cornstarch, salt, and pepper to a shallow bowl or rimmed dish. Transfer the aquafaba to a shallow bowl. Transfer the sesame seeds and panko to rimmed dish or shallow bowl.
Coat the tofu: Take one piece of the marinated tofu and shake off any excess marinade. Lightly coat it in cornstarch, shaking off any excess. Then dip the piece into the aquafaba, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dip the tofu into the panko and sesame seeds. Press gently to coat evenly.
For baking: Transfer the coated tofu to a large nonstick baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pieces. Optional: lightly spray the pieces with cooking oil. Bake for about 10 minutes, before flipping the pieces over. Bake for 10 minutes more, or until golden brown.
For air frying: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the pieces lightly with cooking oil. Place them in an air fryer basket in a single layer. (You may have to cook them in batches.) Cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Prepare the easy dipping sauce (optional). Whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients: tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl.
Serve the tofu with easy dipping sauce.

Notes

- Oil is optional but a little goes a long way in getting the tofu crispy and golden brown. I recommend spraying the coated tofu lightly with oil.

- Storage: Refrigerate the remaining Sesame Tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375ºF for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through, flipping the tofu over halfway. Or reheat in the microwave.

- For the sauce, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Terri
December 04, 2023 at 11:17 pm
The ingredients for the marinade aren’t clear. Is the marinade the same as the dipping sauce? The instructions for the marinade include the ingredients for the “optional dipping sauce.” How much ginger? How much maple syrup? Looks great, would like to make this. Thanks.
Reply
- Nisha Melvani, RDN
  December 05, 2023 at 3:44 pm
  HI. I updated the recipe card. It should be clearer now.
  Reply
Lori
November 27, 2023 at 9:36 pm

Tofu was great but the sauce was too tangy and no one could eat it. I would change the sauce to a teriyaki or a sweet chili sauce.
Reply
- Nisha Melvani, RDN
  November 28, 2023 at 9:40 am
  I changed the sauce recipe to an Easy Dipping Sauce. This will pair well with the tofu and be very easy to make. Thank you.
  Reply