Crispy Tofu Croutons Bake in the Air Fryer or Oven

Delicious crispy tofu anyone? (baked not fried)

Use your air-fryer or oven to make this simple easy flavorful baked tofu dish that is quite tasty and can be used as crispy "crouton-like" topping on a salad or as a protein over rice or cauliflower rice.

This recipe was shared last week when my husband and I were in Cape Cod visiting our friends Noreen and Avi. Since the four of us are all friends with another couple in the area, Noreen invited them for a dinner party one evening.

They Ate Salmon; I Ate Tofu

Noreen's menu included a delightful summer chilled homemade gazpacho, a fresh garden salad, farm fresh corn on the cob, and baked salmon, Since I don't eat salmon, Noreen bought some tofu for me. 

While we women were in the kitchen enjoying some wine and heating up the dinner, my friend Helaine looked at the tofu that was still lingering in its original package and asked, "How are you going to prepare the tofu? " I had totally forgotten about it and was about to say I'll just eat it the way it is, when Helaine suggested that I make "crispy tofu" which can be made rather easily and quickly. 

I followed her easy directions and was surprised how delicious it came out since it was baked, not fried.

After cutting the tofu into cubes (or larger flat rectangles) and pressing it, I seasoned the tofu with gluten-free Tamari sauce, non-GMO cornstarch, and a little water. 

I could have also added garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sesame seeds or any seasoning of my choice. It then goes in the oven or air-fryer for 20 minutes and it comes out crispy and delicious. (I made it again at home with sesame seeds).

That night, I ate the tofu mixed into my salad, but it could be enjoyed over rice or quinoa or even with some steamed broccoli.

This recipe meets gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free standards.

Ingredients: 

3 ounces per person of cubed tofu

1 tablespoon of cornstarch per person

2 tablespoons of Tamari sauce per person

1 tablespoon of water per person

Other options: When on cookie sheet, toss in sesame seeds, sprinkle with paprika for additional color, or add garlic powder to the sauce. 

Directions: 

Preheat oven or air fryer to bake to 400 degrees

Cube tofu, press slightly to release extra water and set aside. 

In a small cereal size bowl combine cornstarch, tamari sauce, and water. Pour over the tofu and distribute evenly. Cook on a parchment covered pan and bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Hydrangeas in Cape Cod

Beautiful hydrangeas grow throughout Cape Cod, Massachusettes July through September. Hydrangeas are a popular flowering bush in Cape Cod that bloom in all shapes, colors, and sizes.

 

In fact, there is a Cape Cod Hydrangea Society whose mission is to share information about hydrangeas and spread the enjoyment of viewing them. The society helps host the annual Hydrangea Garden Festival at the Cape where over 155 varieties of hydrangeas are displayed yielding thousands of hydrangeas blooms. 

These photos are from the New Seabury community in Mashpee where my friend lives.

Dinner table hydrangea flowers from Noreen's yard

MY Notes: cornstarch

1. Most corn and corn products are now-a-days unfortunately grown from genetically modified seeds which helps protect the corn plant from pests. However, many people experience stomach problems (and may not even know the culprit) trying to digest genetically modified produce. Therefore whenever I buy cornstarch, I look for organic or a brand (such as from Whole Foods) that clearly carries the label that states the cornstarch is non-GMO (non- genetically modified). A better substitute might be potato starch which I believe