Description
This Baked Lemon Pepper Tofu recipe offers a simple, flavorful, and healthy way to enjoy crispy tofu infused with zesty lemon and aromatic black pepper. Perfectly marinated and baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy vegan dish that works beautifully as a protein-packed snack or a main course addition.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 14 oz firm tofu
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for even baking.
- Prepare Tofu: Drain the tofu and gently press it using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve crispiness.
- Cut Tofu: Slice the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes or rectangles; smaller pieces will result in crispier tofu.
- Make Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Tofu: Add the tofu pieces to the marinade and gently toss to coat. Let the tofu sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Arrange for Baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the marinated tofu pieces in a single layer without overcrowding to promote even crisping.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Check Crispiness: The tofu should be golden brown and crispy on the edges. If not, bake for an additional 5 minutes until desired crispiness is reached.
- Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and allow tofu to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Pressing tofu is essential to remove moisture for a crispy texture.
- Smaller tofu pieces will crisp more effectively during baking.
- Flipping tofu halfway ensures even browning on all sides.
- Marinating time can be extended for a stronger lemon flavor.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds color and freshness but is optional.
