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    Home » Recipe Index » Vegetarian Dishes

    Panko Tofu for One

    June 18, 2023 Updated April 26, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe
    bite out of cooked tofu, with broccoli and rice in bowl

    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 enjoy it with rice, vegetables, and soy sauce and sweet chili sauce.

    bite out of cooked tofu, with broccoli and rice in bowl

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Oven Method
    • Air Fryer Method
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good tofu recipes
    • Repurpose panko tofu
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    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.

    panko tofu ingredients, with labels
    • 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.

    sliced tofu in a white towel

    1. Press tofu in a towel or paper towel.

    slice of tofu in breadcrumbs

    2. Make panko breading. Press tofu into breading.

    cooked tofu and broccoli in skillet

    3. Add oil to hot pan, fry tofu for about 3-5 minutes/side, until golden brown. Cook with vegetables, if desired.

    cooked tofu, broccoli over rice in bowl

    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

    How to get panko to stick to tofu?

    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.

    Is tofu a good alternative for meat?

    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.

    How to make tofu crispy like a restaurant?

    Press tofu to remove as much water as you can, then coat it with cornstarch and cook in oil over medium to medium high heat to get a crispy crust.

    panko tofu with broccoli over rice in bowl

    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!

    three slices of fried tofu, broccoli in bowl

    Panko Tofu for One

    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 enjoy it with rice, vegetables, and soy sauce and sweet chili sauce.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Asian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    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.

    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.
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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee says

      June 20, 2023 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        June 22, 2023 at 4:26 pm

        yes, it's so easy!

        Reply
    2. Neha says

      June 20, 2023 at 1:27 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        June 22, 2023 at 4:26 pm

        perfect! enjoy

        Reply
    3. Sharon says

      June 20, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for the air fryer instructions for making this panko tofu! It was so easy to whip up for lunchtime.

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        June 22, 2023 at 4:26 pm

        yes! do it

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      June 20, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    5. Dina and Bruce says

      June 20, 2023 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      Rebecca,

      How did you know that my husband has been traveling and I needed some one person recipe inspo? This is it! Love!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        June 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm

        perfect timing! enjoy

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes

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