Crispy Tofu Chicken Parm Bakes (Printable Version)

Crispy breaded tofu cutlets with Asiago cheese, topped with marinara and melted mozzarella for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Tofu

01 - 2 (16 oz) blocks extra-firm tofu, pressed and sliced into ½-inch thick cutlets

→ Breading

02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - ½ cup grated Asiago cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying

→ Sauce and Topping

11 - 2 cups marinara sauce
12 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Press tofu blocks for at least 20 minutes to remove excess moisture. Slice into ½-inch thick cutlets.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko, Asiago, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Dredge each tofu slice in flour, dip into beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the panko-Asiago mixture.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry tofu cutlets in batches until golden brown and crispy on both sides, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Spoon marinara sauce over each tofu cutlet. Top evenly with mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tofu becomes genuinely crispy and golden, not mushy or bland—the breading trick changes everything.
  • You get the exact comfort of chicken parm without any of the ethical wrestling or actual chicken involved.
  • The whole thing comes together in under an hour, so weeknight dinners feel fancier than they should.
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu isn't optional—skip this and you'll end up with soggy cutlets that won't crisp properly no matter how hot your oil gets.
  • Don't crowd the skillet when frying or the temperature drops and you get grease-soaked mediocrity instead of crispy magic.
03 -
  • Press your tofu the morning of cooking and leave it pressed until you're ready to slice—extra time equals extra crispiness.
  • If your breading is falling off during frying, your oil isn't hot enough; wait until it shimmers noticeably before adding tofu.
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