1-First Step: Press the tofu Start by draining the tofu and pressing it for about 30 minutes. Wrap each block in paper towels or a clean tea towel, then place something heavy on top, like a skillet or a stack of books. This step matters because tofu holds a lot of water, and removing that moisture helps it bake up crisp instead of soft. If you have a tofu press, feel free to use it. A heavy object works just as well, and it is a simple way to get better texture from your baked tofu recipe.

2-Second Step: Prep the oven and pan While the tofu presses, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large sheet pan so the tofu does not stick. This higher heat is what helps the tofu get golden around the edges during the first bake. Some cooks like to line the pan with parchment, but a greased sheet pan also works well. Either way, the goal is to give the tofu room to roast instead of steam.

3-Third Step: Slice the tofu Once the tofu is pressed, slice each block into half-inch pieces. Then cut the slices diagonally into triangles, or keep them in cubes or rectangles if that shape is easier for you. The shape does not change the flavor, but smaller pieces can crisp a little more around the edges. If you are serving this baked barbecue tofu recipe in sandwiches or wraps, rectangles are a great choice. If you want snackable bites, cubes are easy to grab.

4-Fourth Step: Coat the tofu Place the tofu pieces in a large ziplock bag or a bowl. Add the olive oil, cornstarch, and salt. Seal the bag and gently shake it until the tofu is evenly coated. If you are using a bowl, toss carefully so the tofu does not break. The ziplock bag method is a smart trick because it helps coat the tofu without much mess. It also keeps the pieces intact, which matters when you want crispy baked tofu that still looks nice on the plate.

5-Fifth Step: Bake until golden Arrange the tofu in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tofu starts turning golden. If you want extra even browning, flip the pieces halfway through the first bake. This is one of the easiest ways to help baked tofu crisp on more than one side. At this stage, the tofu should look dry on the outside and lightly golden, with the edges starting to firm up. That is exactly what you want before adding the barbecue sauce.

6-Sixth Step: Add the barbecue sauce Remove the pan from the oven and coat the tofu with the barbecue sauce. Stir gently so every piece gets covered without falling apart. Then return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. If your sauce is very sweet, you can shorten this second bake to about 5 minutes so it does not burn. Thick sauces usually work best because they cling to the tofu instead of pooling at the bottom of the pan.

7-Final Step: Serve right away Once the tofu is sticky, glossy, and hot, serve it immediately. That is when the texture is at its best. You can spoon it into bowls, tuck it into sandwiches, pile it onto burgers, or wrap it in tortillas for a quick meal.