Make panko tofu for one on the stove in 20 minutes (oven and Air Fryer instructions too). The tofu comes out soft with a delicious crispy crunch on the outside. I like to serve it with rice and vegetables and drizzle soy sauce and sweet chili sauce over.
Table of contents
I've really been on a tofu kick lately. This crispy breaded tofu is a favorite. It's super easy, quick, and crispier than crispy. Finish it off with a quick drizzle of soy sauce (recommendation from Tessa Nugyen) and sweet chili sauce! Yum!
Since I'm new to cooking with tofu, I've been experimenting with prepping methods. I see everywhere to press the tofu for a while. But I've found that cutting it, then pressing gently with a towel and adding cornstarch/flour works well, and quicker.
Use either cornstarch or flour in the breading. I tested both and didn't notice a big enough difference to recommend one over the other.
Also, if you have a few extra minutes, marinade the tofu in soy sauce before breading it. It's a bit more flavorful and makes the tofu look more browned after cooking. It looks very nice, but is an extra step that's not totally necessary.
I prefer pan frying my tofu. It's very quick and easy. I tried to unload the dishwasher and do some dishes while it cooked. But I had to finish them in the morning. You can also bake it or Air Fry it. All instructions are below.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the crispy panko tofu recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Extra Firm Tofu: The firmer the tofu, the better it'll hold together while breading it and cooking it. Press out extra liquid before breading it too.
- Panko: dry panko bread crumbs gives you a very crispy crust for your tofu. You can use other breadcrumbs.
- All Purpose Flour/Cornstarch: Add some to the panko for a crispy crust and tender tofu interior. I tested both flour and cornstarch for this breaded tofu recipe, both work. No obvious flavor difference between the two.
- Kosher Salt: A bit of salt helps flavor the tofu
- Onion Powder: Just a bit of onion powder adds a lot of sweet, onion-y flavor. I really like it in this panko tofu recipe.
- Pepper: a pinch of pepper adds just enough bite to this simple recipe.
Instructions
Scroll down to the panko crusted tofu recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1.Press tofu in a towel or paper towel.
2. Make panko breading. Press tofu into breading.
3. Add oil to hot pan, fry tofu for about 3-5 minutes/side, until golden brown. Cook with vegetables, if desired.
4. Serve panko tofu with rice and vegetables (or noodles, or as a sandwich, or on a salad, etc) and top with soy sauce and sweet chili sauce or other toppings, as mentioned in substitutions/tips section below.
Oven Method
Prepare tofu the same way. drizzle oil on baking sheet, then bake at 425 degrees F for about 20-30 minutes, flipping half way through-depending on how browned you want your panko tofu. You can bake broccoli with it, just remove if it's getting too browned.
Air Fryer Method
Prepare tofu the same way, don't add any oil. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray, then spray top of tofu. Cook at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes per side. Cook broccoli with it, if desired.
Storage/Reheating Tips
I don't recommend making more crispy tofu than you'll eat in one sitting. The crust is very crispy and nice, but won't be after reheating in the microwave. You can reheat in the oven or air fryer. But it'll take nearly as long as it would to just make it fresh.
Substitutions/Tips
- Slice tofu into whatever shape you want. I do like longer, thinner slices because they cook more quickly.
- You can marinade tofu in soy sauce for a few minutes before pressing panko into it. But I usually just drizzle it on after because it's easier.
- You can probably substitute the onion powder for garlic powder. I'd stick to powder vs minced or flakes for a uniform breading.
- Need to make this recipe gluten free? Swap panko for GF panko or breadcrumbs, and a gluten free soy sauce or tamari.
- Sauce options: I like adding soy sauce and sweet chili sauce, but you can also top your panko tofu with sriracha mayonnaise, furikake seasoning, sauce from this Sticky Tofu recipe, or Honey Garlic Tofu recipe.
FAQ
Dry tofu off well, and add flour or cornstarch to the panko to help panko stick to the tofu, and help it crisp up when cooking. Panko tofu is delicious, and very easy when cooked properly.
Tofu is a soy based protein source, and it makes it a good vegetarian or vegan friendly alternative to meat. It needs to be pressed to remove excess liquid. You also need to add lots of seasoning because it's got a very mild flavor.
Other good tofu recipes
- Pesto Tofu
- Sweet Potato Soup with Tofu
- Sticky Tofu
- Vegetarian Harvest Bowl
- Honey Garlic Tofu
- Protein Packed Mac & Cheese
Repurpose panko tofu
- Enjoy it as a sandwich with vegetables and sriracha mayonnaise
- Top a salad with it
What to do with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
- Tofu: see tofu recipes above
- Panko: Panko Pork Chop or Baked Panko Chicken
- Soy Sauce: Beef and Broccoli, Chicken Fried Rice, or Coleslaw with Soy Sauce
Did you make this panko tofu? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Panko Tofu
Equipment
- towel or paper towel
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring cups, spoons
- medium mixing bowl or shallow bowl to bread the tofu
- Cast iron skillet
- spatula
Ingredients
- ¼ block extra firm tofu about 3-4 ounces
- 2 Tablespoons panko
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour or cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 Tablespoon neutral oil canola, vegetable, grapeseed
Serve with
- rice or noodles
- vegetables
Optional toppings
- soy sauce
- sweet chili sauce
- sriracha mayonnaise
- Sticky Tofu Sauce see recipe link in notes
- Honey Garlic Sauce see recipe link in notes
Instructions
- If serving with rice, prepare rice. Or other side. Preheat cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Slice tofu into 3 pieces. Or desired size. Place in a towel or paper towel, cover and gently press to remove some liquid.
- While tofu is in towel, prepare panko topping. Add 2 Tablespoons panko, 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour (or cornstarch), ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of black pepper to a medium sized mixing bowl or plate.
- Press one slice of tofu into the panko topping at a time. Press all sides into it.
- Once pan is hot, add 1 Tablespoon neutral oil. Place tofu slices in pan. Cook about 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Cook other side until golden brown.If adding vegetables, you can add them to the tofu and cook all together.
- Serve panko tofu with rice and vegetables, if desired. I recommend drizzling soy sauce and sweet chili sauce on top. See other topping ideas in notes below.
Video
Notes
- Longer, thinner slices of tofu cook more quickly than cubed tofu. But cut tofu into any shape. Cooking time will depend on how many sides need to be cooked. There should be enough panko seasoning for more breading.
- You can marinade tofu in soy sauce for a few minutes before pressing panko into it. But I usually just drizzle it on after because it's easier.
- Sauce options: I really like soy sauce and sweet chili sauce, but you can also top your panko tofu with sriracha mayonnaise, furikake seasoning, sauce from this Sticky Tofu recipe, or Honey Garlic Tofu recipe.
Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.
Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started.
Renee says
With the air fryer instructions, this is so quick and easy to make. Great lunch with a little sweet chili sauce drizzled over the top!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
yes, it's so easy!
Neha says
Oh I love single serving recipes for myself when my husband is out for work! Thanks for this amazing tofu recipe, I am so trying this out.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
perfect! enjoy
Sharon says
Thank you so much for the air fryer instructions for making this panko tofu! It was so easy to whip up for lunchtime.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
yes! do it
Elizabeth says
I've never tried preparing tofu before, so this looks like an easy recipe to start with. I might experiment with adding a tiny bit of garlic powder along with the onion powder in the coating. Thanks for sharing!
Dina and Bruce says
Rebecca,
How did you know that my husband has been traveling and I needed some one person recipe inspo? This is it! Love!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
perfect timing! enjoy