Name: Cacio e Pepe Tofu Bites
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 ounces firm tofu; 2 eggs; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 0.5 cup fine breadcrumbs; 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese; 1 tbsp + couple turns cracked black pepper; 0.75 tsp sea salt; Olive oil spray

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Cacio e Pepe Tofu Bites

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place on a flat surface, like a cutting board.

Place another cutting board on top of the wrapped tofu and place something moderately heavy on top of that, leaving it undisturbed for about 20 minutes. The weight of the item(s) on top of the tofu will help press any excess water out.

Cut the tofu block into cubes.

In a shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, 1 tablespoon of cracked black pepper, and ½ tsp sea salt.

In another shallow dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and the cornstarch until fully combined. Season mixture with a pinch of salt and some cracked black pepper.

Spray the parchment paper lined baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Dip each cube of tofu into the egg mixture and then the cheese and breadcrumb mixture, making sure to get all sides of the tofu coated.

Arrange all the breaded tofu cubes onto the sprayed parchment lined sheet, then spray the tops of the breaded tofu.

Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and turn each tofu cube over. Bake another 10 minutes or until golden.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy by themselves.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Press Your Tofu Thoroughly 🏋️
Remove as much moisture as possible from the tofu by wrapping it in paper towels and placing a heavy weight on top for 15-20 minutes—this ensures maximum crispiness and better coating adhesion.
Toast Your Breadcrumbs First 🍞
Lightly toast the breadcrumbs in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before mixing with cheese and seasonings to add depth of flavor and enhance the golden, crispy exterior.
Bloom the Black Pepper 🌶️
Add the cracked black pepper to your egg mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes before coating to allow the pepper oils to infuse, creating a more pronounced peppery flavor throughout each bite.
Freeze Before Frying ❄️
Refrigerate your coated tofu bites for at least 30 minutes (or freeze for up to 2 hours) to help the coating set and prevent it from sliding off during the olive oil spray and cooking process.
Finish with Fresh Pecorino 🧀
Reserve a small amount of finely grated Pecorino Romano to sprinkle on the bites immediately after cooking while they're still hot, ensuring the cheese melts and adheres for extra flavor and texture.