This Vegan Tofu Parmesan is the perfect meat-free version of chicken parmesan. It’s super crispy and flavorful and works for an easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion vegan dinner.
I originally had Valentine’s Day in mind when I decided to make this Vegan Tofu Parmesan recipe. It’s easy to make but also a little elegant and goes great with a side salad or plate of pasta. And of course, it also works great as an easy weeknight dinner.
I love tofu and have been cooking it all my life, but if you’re one of those people who thinks tofu is boring, you definitely need to try this vegan tofu parmesan! It’s anything but boring and will (I hope) turn anyone into a tofu lover 🙂
Why Your Body Will Love This Vegan Parm Recipe
Total Tofu – Tofu is a terrific meat-free protein source; half a cup of firm tofu contains nearly 22 grams. It’s also rich in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, contributing to healthy bones. The isoflavones found in tofu may even prevent bone disease in women. They also reduce the not-so-great form of cholesterol, lowering the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Vegan Chicken Parmesan Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
- Tofu – You want to make sure to use extra firm or super firm tofu that has been pressed well. I like to use pre-pressed, super-firm, high-protein tofu. I get it from Sprouts and Trader Joe’s.
- Batter – I make a super easy batter by mixing equal parts flour and plant-based milk. I also add some salt and garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Panko Mixture – I prefer panko to regular bread crumbs. It’s so light and crispy and just works really well when making this Tofu Parmesan recipe. I add nutritional yeast, granulated garlic, dried oregano, and salt to the panko mixture to make this recipe extra flavorful.
- Marinara Sauce – Any marinara or tomato sauce will work! I love the flavor of Rao’s Marinara Sauce. It’s on the pricier side, but it really does taste so much better than most jarred red sauces.
- Vegan Cheese – I don’t usually love vegan cheese, but it works well with this recipe. I used Violife shredded mozzarella and parmesan block that I made shards of and used as a garnish before serving. Vegan cheese doesn’t usually melt well, so it helps to broil it at the end of cooking. Any kind of vegan cheese will work! If you’re making these vegetarian, you can substitute regular cheese.
How To Make Vegan Tofu Parmesan
This Tofu Parmesan might look a little complicated, but it’s actually so easy to make:
- Prepare the tofu: Start by pressing as much water out of it as you can, or buy a pre-pressed tofu if you can find it. I put the tofu on its side and cut four big slices out of it. You can really cut the tofu whichever way works best for you. Set the tofu aside while you make the batter and panko mixture.
- Make the batter: To a small bowl, add the flour, milk, salt and granulated garlic. Whisk until a batter has formed.
- Make the panko mixture: Add panko to a shallow dish and then add the nutritional yeast, dried oregano, granulated garlic, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Batter and bread your tofu: I like to use my hands to spread the batter on all sides of the tofu. You don’t need it to be too thick, just a light coating to help the panko stick to the tofu. After spreading the batter on the tofu, place it in the panko mixture. Sprinkle the panko on top of the tofu and make sure the tofu is completely coated with panko. Repeat with each slice of tofu.
- Cook the tofu: You can either bake the tofu or pan-fry it. I like to pan-fry mine in about a Tablespoon or so of oil so the crust gets really nice and crispy. Heat a large pan with oil and place the tofu in. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and crispy.
- Place the crispy tofu on a baking sheet and top each one with a spoonful of marinara sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Tofu Parmesan Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this recipe gluten-free? No, but it can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko.
- Can I make this tofu parmesan ahead of time? Yes, I recommend not baking it until ready to eat so it will be as crispy as possible when serving.
- Can the tofu parmesan be frozen? Yes, you can either freeze it just before or after baking. Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.
- What kind of vegan cheese do you use? I used some Violife mozzarella shreds as well as the Violife parmesan block.
- What should I serve this with? I just served mine with a vegan Caesar salad, but traditionally, I see chicken parmesan served over pasta a lot, so that would be great, too!
Have a question that I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section, and I will reply ASAP!
Tips For Making The Best Vegan Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Make sure your tofu is well pressed. This recipe tastes best when the tofu is nice and firm, rather than being mushy or watery. I like using this tofu press.
- Use panko instead of breadcrumbs. Like I said above, panko is much lighter and crispier than breadcrumbs and it gives this tofu parmesan such great crunch.
- Use a good marinara sauce. I like to use Rao’s brand of marinara or tomato sauce. It has so much flavor and really adds to making this recipe delicious.
- Pan fry the tofu in oil. Yes, baking the tofu is healthier, but I really love the taste and the crispiness that you get from frying the tofu in a little bit of oil. You don’t have to use a lot, just enough to really crisp up the panko on the outside of the tofu.
Looking For More Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes?
Sheetpan Gnocchi with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes
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Vegan Tofu Parmesan
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Tofu Parmesan is the perfect meat free version of chicken parmesan! It’s super crispy and flavored perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package extra firm or super firm tofu, pressed well
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional toppings: vegan parmesan, fresh herbs such as parsley or basil
Batter:
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup plain, unsweetened plant based milk (I used almond)
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Panko Mixture:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare the tofu: start by pressing as much water out of your tofu as you can, or buy a pre-pressed tofu if you can find it. I put the tofu on its side and cut 4 big slices out of it. You can really cut the tofu whichever way works best for you. Set tofu aside while you make the batter and panko mixture.
- Make the batter: to a small bowl, add the flour, milk, salt and granulated garlic. Whisk until a batter has formed.
- Make the panko mixture: Add panko to a shallow dish and then add the nutritional yeast, dried oregano, granulated garlic and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Batter and bread your tofu: I like to use my hands to spread the batter on all sides of the tofu. You don’t need it to be too thick, just a light coating to help the panko stick to the tofu. After spreading the batter on the tofu, place it in the panko mixture. Sprinkle the panko on top of the tofu and make sure the tofu is completely coated with panko. Repeat with each slice of tofu.
- Cook the tofu: You can either bake the tofu or pan fry it. I like to pan fry mine in about a tablespoon or so of oil so the crust gets really nice and crispy. Heat a large pan with oil and place the tofu in. Cook for about 5 minutes each side, until browned and crispy.
- Place the crispy tofu on a baking sheet and top each one with about 1/4 cup marinara sauce and 2 tablespoons of cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner, Vegan
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
I made this today and it turned out good. It’s a keeper!