This savory Miso Tofu has quickly become our new favorite! It is savory, sweet, sticky, crispy, and an umami bomb in your mouth. It’s super easy to make and you only need 8 ingredients. It pairs well with brown rice and veggies for a balanced and nutritious meal!
The BEST Miso Glazed Tofu
I’ve been working on this miso tofu recipe for a while now and I’m happy to present your new favorite tofu recipe! The tofu itself is delicious, crispy, savory, and addicting. I love making it in my air fryer to get maximum crispiness but I also list a baking option.
Make this recipe for anyone who says they don’t like tofu because I can almost guarantee that they will truly enjoy it! I’ve given this recipe to the pickiest of eaters and have had zero complaints. Meat eaters, picky eaters, EVERYONE will love this miso-glazed tofu AND it’s made with only 8 ingredients:
Miso Tofu with only 8 Ingredients
Tofu: I highly recommend getting “high protein tofu” if possible. It saves you labor because you don’t have to press it AND the texture is insanely firm and meaty. If you can only manage to get “extra firm” tofu – just make sure you press it well.
Soy Sauce/Tamari: This helps bring more flavor to the tofu as well as color. If you are gluten-free make sure to use Tamari and if you are watching your sodium choose low-sodium.
Miso Paste: The star of the show! Miso paste is the star in this delicious Miso Glazed Tofu so I recommend using the best of the best. If you have your favorite miso, go ahead and use it. If you’re vegan, make sure your miso paste is vegan (not all of them are, I KNOW UGH). This is my favorite miso paste. However, please note that not all miso paste is going to be the same. Some miso past can be saltier than others so adjust the amount depending on how strong your miso is.
Maple Syrup: For sweetness! Don’t have any? That’s okay, you can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar, cane sugar, or sugar in the raw. If using granulated sugars, make sure to whisk into a tablespoon of boiling water before marinating the tofu in it. Tofu marinates best in liquids.
Sesame Oil: I love adding it for flavor but you can also use avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. You can also avoid it altogether and sauté garlic in a little water.
Garlic: I don’t think I need to say much here besides, don’t skip it! This recipe (like many others) gets lots of flavor from garlic.
Nutritional Yeast: YES, USE IT. It adds extra nutty/meaty flavor to the tofu as well as an extra “bread-like” coating to make it extra crispy. I recommend buying it at Trader Joe’s or online to get a better deal because it can get pricey.
Corn Starch: Adds to the crispy factor! You can also opt-out and just use extra nutritional yeast.
Tips for the BEST Tofu:
I recommend using high protein extra firm tofu for this recipe. High-protein tofu does not have to be pressed and it is a lot denser than regular “firm” or “extra firm” tofu. I get mine at Trader Joe’s for about $2.50.
Freeze it for a day and then fully defrost it before cooking it. The texture is unreal and more “chicken-like”. You don’t have to remove it from its package to freeze because once it defrosts you will be able to open it as usual.
Don’t forget to marinate it. For best results, marinade overnight that way the tofu can soak up all the flavors.
Air fry it if you can! If you don’t already have an air fryer, what are you waiting for? Click here to check out the one I have been using for almost 2 years now. I use my air fryer at least 4 times a week and it helps us eat crispy food more healthily.
If you love this Miso Glazed Tofu, you will also love:
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Miso Glazed Tofu
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This savory Miso Glazed Tofu has quickly become our new favorite! It is savory, sweet, sticky, crispy, and basically an umami bomb in your mouth. It’s super easy to make and you only need 8 ingredients. It pairs well with brown rice and veggies for a balanced and nutritious meal!
Ingredients
- 1 packet high protein tofu (or extra firm)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (1 for the sauce and 2 for the tofu marinade)
- 2 tablespoons miso paste (can vary, see above)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
- ½ tablespoon garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch (1 tbsp to coat tofu)
- ½ cup water or more to taste
Instructions
- Dice tofu into 1-inch cubes. Marinade for 30 minutes in 2 tbsp soy sauce/tamari (adjust to taste, if you are sensitive to salty foods use 1 tbsp or choose low sodium).
- After 30 minutes, add nutritional yeast, corn starch, and garlic powder. Use a small spatula to toss it until it is evenly coated.
- Air fry at 375 F for 12 minutes, toss and continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes until desired crispiness is achieved. You can also bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes. Make sure to flip or toss halfway through cooking.
- Next, whisk the miso paste into the ½ cup of water along with the cornstarch, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
- Set a pan on medium heat and add sesame oil. Once hot, add garlic and fry for 30-45 seconds.
- Add the sauce ingredients, stir consistently, and let simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens.
- Check the consistency of the sauce and add more water if desired. The sauce should be thick and viscous but still a bit runny.
- At this point, tofu should be done cooking. If tofu has met your desired level of crispiness, add it to the pan and toss it into the sauce.
- Serve over rice and vegetables, enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Tofu
- Method: Air Fryer, Stove
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
Made this tonight, it was a big hit with the family! This will be our go-to todo prep method from now on, it’s much easier, healthier, and less messy than pan frying. The tofu method would work just as well with a teriyaki or orange glaze. Thanks so much!
SO glad you loved it! 🙂
Made this tonight, and it was just an explosion of flavors and comfort!
Thanks for trying it out Janet! I hope you find other recipes on here that bring you that same comfort 🙂
Where is the nutritional info? I’m looking for high-protein dishes!
I don’t add nutritional info for multiple reasons. However, tofu is high in protein. so yes, this recipe is high in protein.
How much soya sauce does this recipe require for 1 person? In point 1 it says use 2 tbsp for marinate. Then in point 5 it says to “add the rest of the soy sauce (2 tbsp)”. That sums up to 4 tbsp. But in the list of incidents it says 2 tbsp.
Great question! I will edit it to make more sense. It should be only 2 tbsp but of course add to taste.
just edited, sorry for the confusion!
No it’s not.
I made this recipe and it was a hit!, I love baked tofu, with these ingredients it was
sweet and savory. I definitely will make it again. Love
Question- if I don’t have nutritional yeast and don’t plan on purchasing a whole jar for this recipe (still new to using it- I don’t want to waste if I’m not into it) can I leave it out, or is there an appropriate sub for this recipe? Thank you!
I personally recommend buying it – 99% of people that try it LOVE it. You can add it to soups for umami flavor, popcorn, and so much more! Don’t miss out!
This recipe has completely changed and blown my mind about tofu! So good! I bet it can get even the tofu haters to jump on the bandwagon!
Which air fryer do you use?
Thanks!
Susan
I used the ninja air fryer
Loved this recipe. Put on top of black rice and stir fry veggies. Thanks for the recipe, we will make this again in the air fryer!
SO glad you lived it Beth 🙂 Please consider giving it a 1-5 star rating P.S. I think you might like the other tofu recipes on here too!
You won’t need any other tofu recipe!! THE BESTT
So I don’t need to press the tofu first to remove moisture?
Not for extra protein tofu! 🙂 Any other tofu, yes.
Great recipe! Chef’s kiss
glad you liked it! 🙂 if you can please use the 5 star rating option!
How many calories per serving?
I don’t post calories as calorie counting is not recommended for weight loss. You can however get an app that helps calculate it for you 🙂
What’s the weight of the pack of tofu you mention?
16 ounces 🙂
Your ingredient list calls for minced garlic but the instructions say garlic powder? Which should it be? Thanks.
Never mind. I reread and see that you’re using both garlic powder and minced garlic in different stages. Thanks again.
Thank you for the update! I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think 🙂
Can you freeze the tofu and sauce? Thank you
Yes you can! 🙂
wonderful! thank you
Always was a tofu lover, but this recipe took it to another level. I made it for my boyfriend and I a few days ago, served with white rice and oven baked bokchoys and sweet peas… I can’t stop thinking and talking about it since! I bought a tofu press FOR this recipe. Thank you so much!
Jeanne, thank you so much for sharing! 🙂 So glad you loved this recipe. I feel like you would love my orange tofu recipe as much too.