Crispy Tofu Chicken Parm Bakes (Printable)

Golden Asiago-crusted tofu slices topped with rich marinara and gooey mozzarella, baked until bubbly.

# What you need:

→ Tofu

01 - 2 blocks extra-firm tofu (14 oz each), pressed and sliced into ½-inch slabs

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - ¾ cup grated Asiago cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

08 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
09 - 2 large eggs, beaten

→ Topping

10 - 2 cups marinara sauce
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ For Serving

14 - Cooked spaghetti or crusty bread

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish. Press tofu blocks for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then slice each block into 4 slabs.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Asiago, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Coat each tofu slice in flour, dip into beaten egg, then press into the breadcrumb-Asiago mixture, ensuring all sides are well covered.
04 - Place coated tofu on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - Remove from oven and spoon marinara sauce generously over each tofu piece. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
07 - Return to oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot, optionally over spaghetti or with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A high-protein vegetarian meal that packs 29g of protein per serving.
  • The Asiago cheese crust adds a sharp, savory depth of flavor to the crispy breading.
  • Baking instead of deep-frying makes it a lighter weeknight dinner option.
  • Perfectly balances crunchy textures with rich, melted cheese and bright tomato sauce.
02 -
  • Ensure the tofu slabs are uniform in thickness so they bake evenly.
  • When breading, use one hand for 'wet' ingredients and one for 'dry' to keep the process clean.
  • For extra crispiness, give the breaded slabs a light mist of oil spray right before they go into the oven.
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