Easy Baked Tofu for Meal Prep

Looking for a simple way to meal prep tofu? These baked tofu cubes in a salty-sweet glaze are great on salads, grain bowls, and noodles.

If you’re looking for an easy and versatile way to batch-cook tofu for the week, these marinated and baked tofu cubes are what you need. Salty-sweet and slightly smoky, with a chewy texture, this meal prep tofu can be used in so many ways. You can toss it on grain bowls or into salads, or eat it with noodles, roasted vegetables, etc. It’s a perfect way to add protein to almost any meal. Here’s how it’s done…

The Technique

This recipe starts with pressing the tofu (to eliminate excess moisture – see details below). Next, you cube it up, toss it with maple syrup, soy sauce, spices, and oil, and set aside to marinade for about 15 minutes. Lastly, bake it until golden.

Choosing the Right Tofu

If tofu is new to you, you may notice it’s sold in a spectrum of textures – from silken to extra-firm. Silken tofu has a, you guessed it, silkier texture and higher moisture content – great for pureeing into sauces (like vegan mayo) and even custardy vegan desserts.

Firm and extra-firm tofu have a denser texture and lower moisture content. Extra-firm tofu is best at holding its shape, so you can sear, grill, or bake it – and it’s what I recommend for this meal prep tofu recipe.

(No matter what texture you’re using, it’s important to buy one that’s organic and non-GMO. Tofu is made out of soybeans and most soy grown in the United States is genetically modified and treated with high levels of pesticides. Choosing organic helps ensure the tofu is safe for you and the planet.)

Why You Should Press Tofu

Pressing firm tofu before cooking it eliminates excess moisture, which helps it absorb marinades and seasonings, and helps it brown better. You can buy a gadget specifically for this purpose, or just use what you have!

How to Meal Prep Tofu, Step-by-Step

Press the Tofu: If you don’t have a tofu press, place your tofu on a plate, top it with another plate (or cutting board), and weigh it down with something heavy (like a couple of cans/jars). Set aside for 15 to 30 minutes, periodically draining off the water that pools in the plate.

Marinade the Tofu: In a large bowl, combine some neutral oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cube the tofu, add to the marinate, and toss gently to coat (preferably with a rubber spatula). Set aside for about 15 minutes.

Bake the Tofu: Arrange the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with parchment. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes.

Should You Use Arrowroot?

Tossing the marinated tofu in arrowroot starch (or cornstarch) before baking makes it crispier. This is great if you plan to eat the tofu right away. However, arrowroot-coated tofu takes on a funky, slimy texture after refrigeration. If you plan to store it in your fridge for a few days, skip the arrowroot.

More meal prep ideas…

• 14 Make Ahead-able Recipes for Meal Prep
• Meal Prep Farro Bowls with Garlicky Beans and Tahini
• Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies with Dark Chocolate
• Soy-Glazed Crumbled Tempeh

Let me know if you try this recipe! Give it a rating below and leave a comment, and don’t forget to tag your creation with #TheNewBaguette and @thenewbaguette on Instagram.

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