This everything bagel crispy tofu is a crispy snack, appetizer, or protein-packed addition to your meals. It is golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It is breaded in that iconic, savory everything bagel seasoning and panko.
For another delicious tofu recipe, try Baked Pesto Tofu and High Protein Tofu Scramble.
This crispy tofu recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household, like in mine, because it delivers amazing taste and texture in every bite - think of them as tofu tenders or nuggets.
You can bake or air-fry the tofu to golden perfection, resulting in a delightful texture that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This crispy breaded tofu is incredibly easy to make and versatile enough to be served as a snack, added to salads, or used as a delicious protein boost in any dish.
I love these tofu sticks as an appetizer, so I serve them with a simple mixture of vegan mayonnaise and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I also enjoy them with Thai Peanut Noodle Salad or alongside this 20 Minute Easy Vegan Miso Soup.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Did I mention how crispy they turn out?! Well, here are other reasons you'll enjoy these crispy tofu sticks.
- Why fry when you can bake? Thanks to the perfectly baked or air-fried breading, you'll enjoy a satisfying crunch with every bite.
- With simple steps and minimal ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a quick appetizer, snack, weeknight dinner, or meal prepping.
- Even picky eaters like mine will love the crunchy, flavorful tofu bites, making it a hit with the whole family.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card for quantities, but first, here is a pic of the simple ingredients you'll need to make this amazing crunchy tofu recipe:
- Tofu - Super firm tofu is ideal for these tofu 'nuggets' because it holds its shape better, provides a meatier texture, and holds less water, so no pressing is necessary. It is also perfect for achieving that desired crispy bite. I find it at Trader Joe's.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Use Panko breadcrumbs in the breading mixture for extra crunch. They are lighter than regular breadcrumbs, making them perfect for this recipe.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning - Many spice manufacturers make this blend, which is now found at most major grocery chains. I buy mine at Trader Joe's.
How to Make Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning: 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dried minced onion, and 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt.
How To Make Everything Bagel Crispy Tofu
See the recipe card for details, but meanwhile, begin by pressing extra-firm or super-firm tofu to remove moisture, then cut it into sticks or cubes.
Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. In a third shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs and everything bagel seasoning.
Step 2: Using a spoon or your hands, dip the tofu in the flour mixture, then the milk mixture, and coat with breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Arrange on a baking sheet or air fryer basket, spray with oil (optional), and bake for 20-25 minutes or air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Step 4: Serve immediately with your favorite sauce or in a main dish.
Recipe Tips
- If using extra firm tofu, remove excess moisture by pressing the tofu for at least 15-20 minutes. This helps achieve maximum crispiness. As I mentioned above, if you can find SUPER firm tofu, you'll get the maximum firmness and crispiness from this tofu recipe.
- Cut the tofu into even-sized pieces to ensure it cooks evenly and gets crispy all around. I like to cut the block into 12 tofu strips for a thick consistency.
- Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet or air fryer basket, leaving space between them for even cooking.
- Lightly spray before baking or air-frying. This is an optional step, but I think it enhances the crispiness and golden color.
- For the best flavor, serve the crispy tofu right away while it’s hot and crunchy.
Number One Tip
To prevent your fingers from looking like a breaded mess, use one hand or a spoon to dip the tofu in the wet ingredients and the other hand or separate spoons for the dry coating. This way, your hands stay clean, the process stays efficient, and you won't run out of breading because it's stuck to your fingers! Keep a kitchen towel nearby to clean your hands as necessary.
Serving Suggestions
- Squeeze some lime juice lightly over the tofu for a citrusy fresh flavor.
- I have an array of dipping sauces like Sweet Chili Lime Sauce, Vegan Chipotle Aioli, or Vegan Poppyseed Dressing, you can use to dip these delicious crispy tofu sticks. Check out all my vegan sauces and dips for more ideas.
- Top a fresh green salad with Classic French Salad Dressing and crispy tofu pieces, or add a side to it like Asian Spicy Cucumber Salad.
- Wrap the crispy tofu in a tortilla or lettuce wrap. Add fresh veggies, avocado, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce, or mix together with Vegan Caesar Salad.
- Add to a grain bowl like Vegan Taco Bowl or pasta bowl like Thai Peanut Noodle Salad. Or serve it with Kung Pao Vegetables.
Storage and Reheating
- Place leftover tofu in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To maintain crispiness, consider lining the container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the tofu pieces on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the tofu pieces in a single layer and air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Note on Reheating
If reheating, use the oven or air fryer for best results. It helps them to maintain their crispy texture. Microwaving can make the tofu soggy - still delicious - but slightly soggy.
Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can use regular or extra-firm tofu, but make sure to press it well to remove excess moisture. Super firm tofu is highly recommended as it requires no pressing and holds its shape better.
To press tofu, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and place a heavy object on top, such as a cast-iron skillet or a stack of books. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture. You can also use a tofu press.
Absolutely! To make the recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and flour, as well as tamari instead of soy sauce.
I have not tried these varieties, but you can make everything bagel tofu soy-free using a soy-free tofu alternative like chickpea or almond tofu. You can also substitute the soy sauce with coconut aminos. Let us know in the comments how it turned out.
I recommend baking it just before enjoying it. However, they are still delicious if you need to make them in advance.
More Tofu Recipes You'll Love
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Everything Bagel Crispy Tofu recipe. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Everything Bagel Crispy Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 14 ounce block super-firm tofu cut into sticks or cubes*
- ½ cup unsweetened plant-based milk oat, almond, or soy
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons Everything Bagel seasoning
- cooking spray optional for browning
Instructions
- Prep the Tofu: If using Super Firm Tofu, you do not need to press. If you are using extra-firm, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Cut into sticks or cubes.
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or an air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the Batter: In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Let sit for a few minutes to curdle and thicken ever-so-slightly.
- Flour Bowl: In a separate medium shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Prepare the Breading: Mix the panko breadcrumbs and Everything Bagel seasoning in another medium shallow bowl.
- Bread the Tofu: Dip each tofu piece into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the tofu piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere to the breading.
- Cook the Tofu: Arrange the breaded tofu pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper/silicone mat or in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil spray for browning. In the oven, bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. For the air-fryer, cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for cubed tofu or flip for the strips, until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven or air fryer and let cool slightly before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, in a wrap, or on a salad - see serving suggestions in the post.
Saudi says
Wow! I loved these. I had these at a restaurant fairly recently and this was very reminiscent of them. Definitely worth repeating. Thanks for the recipe.
Regi Pearce says
Glad you love them! Thanks for commenting