Irresistibly delicious spicy baked tofu noodles in one easy to make dish! Naturally gluten-free and vegan.

A triangle of white tofu topped with veggies resting on a bed of cooked brown noodles.

❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

Super easy to make.
Packed with beautiful flavors and textures.
Filling, comforting and hearty.
This dish makes for a lovely presentation that really impresses guests.
Naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.

A tan ceramic bowl filled with thin noodles, tofu and sliced peppers.

🔪 What You Will Need To Make This Recipe

Skillet: A good nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet works well here.

Baking Dish: I like to use a 9″ x 13″ceramic casserole dish for this, but if you only have a square baking pan, that will work, too!

Tofu Press: This item is not necessary, but if you have one at your disposal, it will help make the tofu as crispy as is possible!

A close shot of a triangular slab of tofu resting on a bed of noodles.

🌶️ Ingredients and Substitutes

Tofu: Extra firm tofu will work best in this recipe as it will crisp up better and hold its shape better than other varieties of tofu. Having said this, if you only have firm, medium or soft tofu on hand, it will work, just with some slight texture differences. You might like: Is Tofu Gluten-Free?

Tapioca starch: Coating the tofu in starch before pan-frying helps crisp the tofu up quickly and contributes to the over all texture of this dish. If you do not have tapioca starch, any starch will do – corn starch, arrowroot starch, potato starch, etc.

Maifun noodles: Maifun noodles are super thin rice noodles. They are great for this recipe as due to being thin, they cook more quickly and easily in the oven than other noodle varieties. They also offer a nice texture contrast against the tofu.

Coconut aminos: Coconut aminos add a bit of salty umami flavor to this dish. Soy sauce can be used in its place if need be.

Sriracha: Sriracha adds the bulk of the spicy factor to this recipe, as well as some sweet chili and garlic notes.

Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil adds a subtle background hint of smokiness to this dish. I do not recommend replacing it with regular sesame oil, as toasted sesame oil is quite different in flavor.

Salt and pepper: Essential to any good savory dish!

Coconut sugar: I love to use coconut sugar, but you can use any granulated or liquid sweetener you prefer. My second choices would be brown sugar or honey.

Cilantro: Cilantro adds a bit of freshness to the finished dish. If you are not a cilantro fan, feel free to replace it with another fresh herb you prefer or even a handful of fresh salad greens.

Chiles: Sliced fresh chiles add a bit of crunch and heat that greatly complement the warm noodles and tofu. If you are not a fan of fresh heat, feel free to omit or replace with pickled peppers or a dash of hot sauce instead.

Garlic and ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger greatly contribute to the overall flavor of this dish.

Vinegar: I like to use rice vinegar, but apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, rice wine vinegar, and white wine vinegar also work well.

A triangular slab of tofu resting on a bed of thin noodles in a large tan bowl.

🍜 How-to Make Tofu Noodles

A white block of tofu dusted with flour. — Step 1

A block of tofu sitting in an oiled skillet — Step 2

A browned block of tofu sitting in an oiled skillet. — Step 3

Press and drain the tofu. Coat the tofu in starch.
Place the coated tofu in an oiled skillet.
Cook the tofu until crisp and golden on each side.

Dried thin noodles resting in a large white baking dish. — Step 4

A golden block of tofu resting on dried noodle nests in a white baking dish. — Step 5

A close shot of liquid ingredients in a measuring cup. — Step 6

4. Preheat the oven and place the noodles into a large baking dish.

5. Place the seared tofu on top of the noodles.

6. Mix the sauce ingredients.

Tofu and noodles drizzled with brown sauce resting in a white casserole dish. — Step 7

Tofu, noodles and sauce sitting in a white baking dish. — Step 8

Brown cooked noodles and tofu in a large baking dish. — Step 9

7. Pour the sauce over the noodles and tofu.

8. Pour the water into the baking dish.

9. Bake.

A block of white tofu topped with fresh cilantro, resting on a bed of thin cooked noodles. — Step 10

A bundle of cooked brown noodles in a large white ceramic baking dish. — Step 11

10. Slice the tofu as desired.

11. Gather the noodles and place into a bowl(s).

12. Top the noodles with sliced tofu and garnish with cilantro and sliced chiles. Enjoy!

🍽️ Variations

For extra vegetable power, you serve with a side of roasted veggies. Broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas and cauliflower work well.
Top with sautéed mushrooms.
Top with pickled cabbage.
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions.

🥡 Storing and Reheating

Keep this dish stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, place into a large skillet or wok over medium-low heat and heat, tossing frequently, until warm throughout. They make excellent leftovers!

🍢 More Delicious Tofu Recipes

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Sticky Maple Ginger Tofu

Green Tofu Bowl