Spicy, smoky, and delicious Blackened Tofu made with a homemade spice blend! Use these crispy, flavorful tofu steaks as a main dish or in salads, tacos, bowls, and more! 

What Makes This Recipe Great

Blackened Tofu is a dish similar to other “blackened” recipes. In this case, high-protein tofu is seasoned with a mix of spices and then seared at high heat to create a flavorful, charred crust. 

My version of the spice mix, or blackening seasoning, includes ingredients like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, ground cumin, coriander, mushroom, salt, and black pepper. This blend creates a spicy, smoky flavor that brings the tofu to life, though you can always adjust spices as you see fit (oregano, thyme, and onion powder are popular options as well). 

We’re oven-baking these tofu slabs to absolute perfection, then torching or broiling to add that crispy, blackened crust. The resulting dish is full of flavor and packs a ton of plant-based protein!

It’s vegan, gluten-free, and takes under 30 minutes from start to finish! 

Ingredient Notes

• neutral oil: Avocado oil or olive oil will work great. 
• extra firm tofu: You’ll need a block of tofu cut into slices. Make sure to remove excess water with paper towels, a tofu press, or a heavy object. Extra-firm tofu is a great option because it doesn’t have as much water as other versions, so it will get nice and crispy. 

Dry Spice Blend 

• Spanish smoked paprika
• garlic powder
• ground cumin
• ground coriander
• ground cayenne
• mushroom powder
• salt
• black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
2. Drain and pat dry your high-protein tofu using a paper towel or kitchen towel. Slice into 4, roughly 2″x3″ inch slices and gently score the top of the tofu slices diagonally one way and the other, being careful not to cut all the way through the tofu. 
3. In a shallow, wide bowl, mix together all of the spices, salt and pepper. Dip each piece of tofu in the spice mix and coat generously. Transfer to a baking sheet then drizzle with oil before popping into the oven. 
4. Bake the tofu pieces for 10-12 minutes, then remove the parchment paper or nonstick baking mat and torch until nicely charred on both sides. Alternatively, broil the tofu for 1-2 minutes for a similar result. 

Secrets to Success

• Alternate to torching or broiling, you can add the baked tofu to a hot cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for a minute or two to sear and blacken. Lower to medium heat if it’s charring more than preferred. 
• You can use the blackening seasonings for other plant-based proteins as well. There are so many different ways to use it. Plus, it’ll add delicious flavor to all your favorite dishes! 

Serving Tips

Serve these blackened tofu steaks as a main dish, added to salads, in corn tortillas for tofu tacos, or bowls, made into a blackened tofu sandwich, or enjoyed with sides like rice, potatoes, vegetables, or a small bowl of dipping sauce.

I like serving it with my favorite roasted veggies like asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or a simple side salad. 

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or in a large skillet over the stovetop for 2-3 minutes until crispy and warmed through. 

More Healthy Recipes

Crispy Garlic Tofu Sticks

Grilled Vegan Tofu Satay

Korean Braised Tofu

Lemon & Herb Crusted Tofu

If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!

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