This recipe is sponsored by EZ Tofu Press. All opinions are 100% my own.
Crunchy panko tofu is an easy and flavorful weeknight meal. Marinated tofu breaded with crunchy, seasoned panko is totally addictive!
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Recipe notes
This recipe for panko tofu cutlets is based on my popular cornflake tofu. But instead of cornflakes, we're seasoning crunchy panko breadcrumbs, and we're tweaking the seasoning a bit to be more of a katsu-style situation.
Start by pressing your tofu. I press my tofu using my EZ Tofu Press.
This press is the real deal and gets an average of a half cup of water out of an extra firm block of tofu. That is a lot of water, so you know it's making a big difference in the texture department.
After pressing, you slice the tofu and then marinate it in a flavorful mix of soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and garlic and onion powders.
While the tofu presses and marinates, mix up panko with cornstarch and lots of spices and mix together soy milk with a little apple cider vinegar.
The soy milk-vinegar mixture will start to curdle after a few minutes, which is what you want. Congratulations, you made vegan buttermilk!
Now, dredge the marinated tofu cutlets in the vegan buttermilk and then in the panko mixture. Make sure you pat the panko mixture onto the tofu to help it stick.
Then, you're ready to bake or air fry!
To bake, arrange the tofu in a single layer on a lined baking sheet, and bake until it's golden brown. You want to flip the tofu once during baking, so it browns on both sides.
If you're going to air fry, arrange to tofu in a single layer in your air fryer basket. If it won't all fit, then you'll need to air fry in two batches. Air fry, shaking gently halfway through cooking to prevent sticking.
After cooking, slice the tofu on the bias, and serve.
Gluten-free variation
This recipe converts beautifully to be gluten-free! Just use gluten-free panko and gluten-free soy sauce, and you're in business.
Serving suggestions
You can serve your panko tofu over rice or sesame noodles with any sauce you like. This is lovely with curry mayo to dip or drizzled with teriyaki sauce.
For sides, go with veggies like steamed broccoli or air fryer baby bok choy.
This tofu is also a great topper for a kelp noodle salad!
Storage directions
If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. They will keep for around three days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, I do not recommend using the microwave. The panko will be soggy if you do! Instead, arrange your leftovers on a lined baking sheet, and bake at 350° F for about 10 minutes.
You can also reheat your panko tofu in a toaster oven on a piece of tin foil at the same temperature.
In the air fryer, arrange the cutlets in a single layer, and cook at 350° F for five minutes to reheat. If they're still not heated through, flip and cook for two to three more minutes.
📖 Recipe
Panko Tofu Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu - pressed, then sliced into 8 cutlets
For the Marinade
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Tofu
- ¼ cup soy or oat milk - mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- spray oil - optional
Instructions
- Preheat to 425° F, if baking. Start pressing your tofu.
Make the marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Arrange the tofu cutlets in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the tofu. Marinate for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Whisk together the panko, cornstarch, spices, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Pour the soy milk mixture into another shallow bowl.
- Dredge the tofu in the soy milk mixture and then coat in the panko mixture, patting the panko onto the tofu to help it adhere. Arrange in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
Make the Tofu in the oven.
- Transfer the tofu to your baking sheet in a single layer, and spray with oil, if you're using it. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the tofu over and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the panko is turning golden brown. Slice the tofu on the bias, and serve.
Make the Tofu in the air fryer
- Spray the coated tofu with oil, if you're using it. Arrange the tofu in a single layer in you air fryer basket. Air fry at 400° F for 15-20 minutes, until the tofu is golden brown, shaking the basket gently after 8 minutes of cooking, just to prevent sticking. You may need to do this in 2 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Remove, slice the tofu on the bias, and serve.
Equipment
- Air Fryer optional
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
It can be! Just use gluten-free panko, and you're golden.
Yes, this is essential. Pressing gets the excess water out, which will yield the best texture.
The dredging first in the soy milk-vinegar mixture and the cornstarch-panko mixture will make it stick perfectly. Think of liquid + cornstarch as creating food glue that makes the panko coating adhere.
Marie
I substituted Glutino Table Cracker crumbs for the panko and Bragg’s liquid aminos for soy sauce to make it gluten-free. I also trimmed these into nugget shapes and they were delicious! 5/5 definitely will make them again!
Becky Striepe
Thank you so much for sharing your substitutions! I'm glad that you enjoyed it, Marie!
Julie
This recipe is amazing! I love how the vegan mayo nulls the need to spray with oil for the air fryer. I added vegan poultry seasoning to the panko mix. I will definitely be making this often?
Becky Striepe
Oh, adding poultry seasoning is a great idea! I need to try that next time I do it. Thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe and leave such a thoughtful comment. I appreciate it so much!
Shellie
I don't have an air fryer yet, but this recipe sounds wonderful. It's in baking in my oven now. I set it for 400 F for 20 mins. to start. Hope it works.
Darby
Nutritional content please!?
tracy
This is a recipe that I will try, very creative thank you. FYI having the 'nutritional information' available never factors into what recipes I try. I hope it does not deter you from posting more recipes. Some people are just very rude.
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Tracy!
Agness of Run Agness Run
This is a great recipe, especially because you added spices, Becky! So crunchy and finger-licking!
Becky Striepe
Thank you! Enjoy it!
The Vegan 8
I love all the spices you added to this tofu! They are some of my favorite spices to use, so I can only imagine how delicious this is!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Brandi! It's very flavorful, for sure!
Alisa Fleming
This looks so good! And my favorite tofu recipe is straight up stir fry. I love those big tofu chunks with ample Asian sauce.
Becky Striepe
Ooh yum. I love a stir fry!
Terri Cole
I love baked barbecue tofu, but my new air fryer will probably give me a new favorite. ;) I can't wait to try this recipe!
Becky Striepe
Yay! Enjoy the new air fryer. I'm crazy about mine!
Linda @ Veganosity
Wow, I love that you used vegan mayo for the binder in this recipe. So creative! This looks delicious, Becky.
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Linda!
Karen D
Homefries with tofu from Horn of the Moon Cookbook
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I love crunchy tofu! Really only way I like it. Soft makes me gag. LOL!
Becky Striepe
Too funny!
Amanda
I love using Tofu for a lemon and basil ricotta. Adding it to lasagna or manicotti is delicious!
DJ
I always love chocolate tofu mousse.
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
Crunchy, crispy tofu is my favourite way to eat it. Great idea to use mayo to stick the coating on!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
You can't beat crispy tofu! It looks delicious and I really must invest in a tofu press and an air fryer.
Cadry
This looks so good, Becky! I've been working on a similar air fried tofu recipe, but I hadn't been dredging mine in panko. I'm sure that adds such wonderful texture! Plus, what a genius idea to use vegan mayo to make the breading stick. I love it!
Becky Striepe
Thank you! I can't wait to see yours!
Jenn
Oh my gosh, this looks so crispy and delicious! I gotta get an air fryer!!
Becky Striepe
Oh man, I would love to see what amazing recipes you created for an air fryer, Jenn!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I really never met a piece of tofu I didn't like, but this recipe looks particularly delicious!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Amy!
Dianne
These look so good! I can't wait to try them. I love all of your tofu recipes.
Becky Striepe
Thank you so much, Dianne!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
This looks delicious Becky! I love panko for anything too, it just seems to make things more crunchy!
I'd totally enter to win that awesome ez tofu press but I won last time. I love it and use it at least a few times a week so anyone that wins is going to be lucky!
Becky Striepe
Oh yeah! Congratulations. I'm glad to hear that you're digging your press!