Toaster Oven Tofu

Savory, filling, and delicious! This Broiled Toaster Oven Tofu recipe is my favorite way to make tofu in our little oven. The broiler caramelizes the outside of the tofu while keeping the middle tender and moist. The tofu wedges are a tasty snack on their own and make a great addition to veggie wraps, burritos, stir-fry, and zucchini bowls.

Broiled toaster oven tofu on a white plate.

When we first started eating meatless, my husband Tim immediately fell in love with tofu. Unfortunately, it’s always been one of my least favorite foods.

Whenever I’d try tofu it was either greasy from being fried, weirdly chewy or just bouncy and bland. I couldn’t figure out why anyone would eat it when there are plenty of delicious meat-free ways to get your protein-on like sriracha marinated tempeh, all the beans, quinoa, eggs, and yogurt.

After years of trying every tofu recipe and cooking method under the sun, I finally came up with a recipe that changed my mind.

If you’re not on Team Tofu yet, I hope it will change your mind too.

Broiled tofu in a bowl with zucchini spirals, sweet potato round, broccoli and hummus.

The recipe doesn’t involve fussy steps like cornstarch coatings or frying and it’s loaded with great flavor from an easy to customize marinade.

After hearing it described as “meaty” by meat-eaters and having a family friend successfully cook it in their toaster oven (thanks for the feedback Brian!) I knew it was ready for the site.

So what do you say, want to make some tofu that actually tastes good?

~ Keep scrolling for step by step photos & toaster oven tofu tips after the recipe ~

Tofu wedges on a white plate.

Toaster Oven Tofu

Yield: 2 Servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Marinating: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 9 minutes

Use the Broil setting on your toaster oven to make a batch of super savory tofu for two.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Tofu, extra-firm or super-firm
  • 1 tablespoon Liquid Aminos (substitute soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha Sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon Granulated Garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Granulated Onion

Instructions

  1. Drain tofu and slice into 1/2-thick square pieces. Stack the squares on top of each other and slice into triangles.
  2. Lay a lint-free towel on a baking sheet. Place the tofu pieces on half of the towel. Fold the other side of the towel over the tofu. Place a second baking sheet on top and stack with cans. Press the tofu for 15 to 30 minutes. 
  3. To make the marinade, whisk together the aminos or soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, sriracha sauce, garlic, and onion in a shallow covered container or resealable plastic bag.
  4. Add the pressed tofu to the container. After one minute flip the pieces over. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, flipping the tofu (or bag) once or twice while it marinades.
  5. When ready to cook the tofu, adjust the rack in your toaster oven to the top or middle position and set to Broil on High. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
  6. Remove the tofu pieces from the container, shake off any excess marinade and place on the prepared pan.
  7. Broil until the top of the tofu is browning and crisped on the edges, about 7 to 8 minutes.
  8. Use oven mitts to remove the pan and carefully flip the tofu.
  9. Return the pan to the toaster oven and broil until the second side is browned about 3 to 6 minutes or more depending on your toaster oven.
  10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Tofu: The marinade recipe is for 8 ounces of tofu, about half a full-sized package. If you want to make a whole 16 oz package just double the ingredients,

Sweetener: You can also use agave, honey, or just leave it out if you want.

Oil: We try to use a high-heat oil like grape seed or avocado oil but olive oil will work too.

Granulated Garlic: If you only have garlic powder that’s okay just use a little less.

Granulated Onion: This is the magic ingredient IMHO but it still tastes good without it.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 8 Triangles
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 149Total Fat: 7.8gSaturated Fat: 0.8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 528mgCarbohydrates: 5.4gFiber: 1.3gSugar: 3.8gProtein: 14.1g

How To Make Toaster Oven Tofu

Step 1: Pick Your Tofu

This recipe works best with extra-firm tofu or super-firm tofu. The edges get crispy but the middle is still tender and the tofu pieces don’t fall apart when flipped.

A package of super firm tofu from Trader Joe's.

If you’re not a big tofu fan, you have to give Super-Firm Tofu a try!

It has the least moisture of all the varieties. You don’t really even need to press it, I just blot away excess moisture with a towel.

One downside: I’ve only seen it sold in 16 oz packages so you’ll either need to double the recipe or store the rest for later.

To learn more about the different types of tofu check out this guide from the Kitchn and while you’re there you can read up on the best way to store leftover tofu too.

A twin pack of extra firm tofu.

Small Household Tip: Look for twin-pack style containers of Extra-Firm Tofu.

In these packages, the big block of tofu is divided into two containers. The containers are easy to separate with scissors or a knife. This way you can make one 8 oz-ish portion and save the other still-sealed half for later.

Step 2: Drain, Slice, and Press

To start, open the tofu container and drain out the water.

Drained tofu sliced into triangles on a cutting board.

There are a lot of ways you can tackle pressing tofu. I prefer to slice our tofu before pressing, it seems to get more moisture out.

After draining, slice the tofu into 1/2-inch thick squares, steaks, sticks, or triangles. The triangles are fun because they’re a great size for snacking and adding to other meals like salads and wraps.

Tofu on a towel lined pan and pressed with canned vegetables.

How we press tofu without using paper towels:

  • Lay a lint-free towel on a clean surface like a baking sheet.
  • Place the tofu pieces on half of the towel.
  • Fold the other side of the towel over the tofu.
  • Place a cutting board or another baking sheet on top.
  • Stack with cans or something heavy, like a few cookbooks.
  • Leave your tofu to press/drain for 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Marinade Your Tofu

Ingredients for tofu marinade on a kitchen counter.

Combine the marinade ingredients in a shallow covered container or resealable plastic bag and mix well.

Add the pressed tofu and let it sit for a minute, then flip the pieces over.

Sliced tofu marinading in a glass dish with a lid next to it.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. If you can remember, flip the tofu (or bag) once or twice while it marinades.

To make this tofu during the week, I like to press the tofu in the morning and toss it in the marinade before work. Come dinnertime the tofu will have soaked up all that yummy flavor.

Step 4: Prep Your Toaster Oven

Once you’re ready to broil the tofu, remove it from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes to come to room temperature.

Little toaster oven with rack in top placement and set to broil.

If you’re using a smaller toaster oven like our little Oster, adjust the cooking rack to the top placement and set to “Broil” on high.

Sometimes I use the pan that came with our toaster oven but I really like our new 1/8 Nordic Ware sheet pan. It’s big enough to hold the 8 ounces of tofu and fits in the Oster.

For our larger Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS), I use our trusty Quarter Sheet Pan which can hold 16 ounces of tofu.

Metal quarter sheet pan and eight sheet pan side by side

Speaking of bigger ovens…most manuals suggest broiling with the rack in the upper position but larger toaster ovens and countertop ovens have very strong top heating elements that can burn foods like tofu or toaster oven s’mores.

If your Broiler is not adjustable, set it to High (500) but move the rack to the middle placement.

A pan of tofu in a large toaster oven with rack in the middle position.

If the Broiler is adjustable, you can leave the rack in the top placement if you want and just lower the temperature.

A pan of tofu in a large toaster oven with the rack in the top position.

For more about the “Broil” setting check out this post for the 3 Easy Toaster Oven Settings To Get You Started.

Step 5: Make Your Tofu

Lightly oil your baking sheet. Then remove the tofu pieces from the container, shake off any excess marinade, and place the tofu on the pan.

Tofu triangles on an oiled rimmed baking sheet.

Broil until the top of the tofu is browning, slightly crisped on the edges, and the middles are still tender/squishy when pressed. This usually takes about 7 to 8 minutes in our toaster ovens.

Using oven mitts, remove the pan and carefully flip the tofu.

Broiled tofu on a metal baking sheet.

Return the pan to the toaster oven and broil until the second side is browned. About 3 to 6 minutes or more depending on your toaster oven.

Keep an eye on it, the second side will brown faster than the first side.

Step 6: Dig In

Serve your tofu warm or at room temperature. It tastes great as a snack on its own or added to salad and wraps.

Broiled tofu in a large bowl filled with sweet potato rounds, broccoli and hummus.

Right now our favorite way to enjoy it is in a bowl of zucchini noodles with roasted sweet potato rounds, roasted broccoli, canned beets, and a big scoop of hummus!

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4 Comments

  1. Tofu can be frozen, before or after, pressing/draining — I do it all the time. Texture may be slightly different but is still great!

    1. Thanks for the tip, Jil! I find the texture is a little chewier after freezing but like you said still tastes great 🙂