Baked Crispy Tofu Sticks (Vegan)

Recipe from Tasty

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Serves 4

If you’ve never had tofu, this would be a great way to introduce yourself to it.  And for tofu beginners, there is a link in the recipe that will take you to my post on how to prepare (press) tofu.  I think youngsters will love helping you make these.  They will love to eat them too because they are perfect for dipping into their favorite sauce.  Add a piece of whole fruit and a veggie that they like and they will have one heck of a great-tasting nutritious lunch.

14 oz. package extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

½ cup whole-wheat flour (or regular flour)

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

½ cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond milk.)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ cup dry breadcrumbs

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast

¼ teaspoon cayenne (Omit this if you don’t like spicy.)

Olive oil

Cut the pressed tofu slab into finger sized sticks.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set up 3 shallow bowls or pie plates.  Whisk the flour and cornstarch in one of the bowls.  In the second bowl, whisk together the milk and mustard.  In the third bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, nutritional yeast and cayenne (if using.)

Preheat the oven to 425F.  Coat a baking sheet with olive oil or olive oil spray.

While the oven is preheating, prepare the tofu in this order:

First dip the tofu sticks in the flour mixture.  Then coat with the milk mixture.  Then dip the tofu sticks back into the flour mixture and then the milk mixture once again.  Finally, coat the tofu sticks with the breadcrumb mixture.  Place the coated tofu sticks onto the prepared baking sheet.  Spray or brush the tofu sticks with olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes, then using tongs, flip the tofu sticks over and bake another 10-15 minutes longer. 

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce (ketchup, bbq, cheese sauce, etc.)

Make these on the weekend with the kids and pack
them up in their lunchboxes during the week.