You'll be surprised how many things you can do with a block of silken tofu! Here we've rounded up 40 of our favorite silken tofu recipes to give you ideas on how to use this nutrient-rich product!
Silken tofu is a common ingredient used in vegan cooking in a variety of recipes. From cakes, soups, and pasta dishes, to quiches, cheesecakes, and more!
Thanks to its versatility, the possibilities of using it are truly endless.
These vegan silken tofu recipes are nutritious, packed with protein, and easy to make. It's safe to say that we have something here for everyone, even if you're a tofu skeptic!
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What is Silken Tofu?
Silken tofu is a protein-rich ingredient made from soy milk. It contains a lot of moisture and has a very soft texture.
It has a subtle flavor and a mild taste. The consistency is creamy and smooth, often compared to custard or pudding.
Because of its soft texture, it can fall apart easily, which makes it a versatile ingredient in creamy sauces, dips, spreads, and many other recipes.
It's naturally vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free, but it's not suitable for people who have a soy allergy or are sensitive to soy products.
Best Silken Tofu Recipes
These delicious recipes will make you fall in love with silken tofu! They're all vegan and dairy-free, with gluten-free options included.
My favorites include the silken tofu pasta sauce and vegan chocolate mousse.
Savory Recipes
Creamy Silken Tofu Pasta Sauce
You'll be surprised by how creamy, rich, and delicious this Silken Tofu Pasta Sauce is! It's quick and easy to make, and ready in just 30 minutes. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
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Super Crispy Fried Silken Tofu
This Fried Silken Tofu is super crispy on the outside, and creamy and light on the inside. It's easy to make, using just a few pantry ingredients! Enjoy with our sriracha mayo or your favorite dipping sauce.
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Vegetarian Kimchi Jjigae
This Vegetarian Kimchi Jigae a.k.a. Korean Tofu Stew is sweet, spicy, tangy, and full of flavor! Enjoy this vegan stew with rice on the side and top with green onions. Ready in 30 minutes!
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Vegan Cordon Bleu (with Seitan Chicken)
This Vegan Cordon Bleu features tender seitan chicken stuffed with vegan ham and cheese, then coated in breadcrumbs, and cooked until crispy perfection!
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Savory Fried Leeks & Kale Tart
The best healthy savory pie stuffed with veggies and creamy tofu filling. It is so easy to make, requiring simple and easy-to-find ingredients that you probably have at home!
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Vegan Protein Mac and Cheese
Silken tofu is the secret ingredient to make this easy mac & cheese extra creamy. It's an easy way to add protein too.
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Butternut Squash Pasta
This butternut squash pasta sauce is creamy, rich, full of savory flavor, and yet uses no cream at all! A secret ingredient gives this sauce it's creaminess, plus some protein, but you'd have no idea it's in the sauce!
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Silken Tofu Caprese Salad
A plant-based version of an Italian classic! This tomato and silken tofu Caprese salad is ready in under 20 minutes and might become a regular in your household!
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Easy Vegan Spinach Quiche
You will not believe that this vegan spinach quiche is made without eggs! It's filled with spring vegetables such as leek, spinach, and peas to make it nutritious and healthy. Silken tofu provides a consistency that is incredibly similar to eggs and bakes really easily.
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Vegan Tofu Sour Cream
This vegan sour cream is tangy, creamy, and incredibly flavorful. It is extremely versatile, so use it in any dish that calls for sour cream! Made from a couple of simple ingredients like tofu, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.
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Oil-Free Vegan Mayo
Made with tofu and aquafaba, this Oil-Free Vegan Mayo is a lighter version than its regular oil-based counterpart. This vegan mayonnaise is the perfect spread for your favorite sandwiches, wraps, and veggie burgers.
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Silken Tofu Mac and Cheese
This silken tofu mac and cheese is a vegan copycat of Panera's mac and cheese. It's made from silken tofu and nutritional yeast for a creamy and cheesy pasta dish!
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One-Pot 'Baked' Feta Pasta
This creamy, cheesy dish is incredibly easy to make with silken tofu, requiring one-pot and ready in 30 minutes or less! It doesn't even have to be baked, making it perfect for meal prep!
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Vegan Silken Tofu Scramble
The Best Keto Tofu Scramble loaded with veggies is the best alternative to scrambled eggs even if you’re on a low-carb diet. It’s incredibly easy to make, full of flavor, and high in protein. In just 15 minutes, make a perfect vegan breakfast that tastes like scrambled eggs.
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Vegan Silken Tofu Omelet
This Vegan Tofu Omelette is light and fluffy and made in less than 15 minutes. It's an easy and healthy breakfast, and a great way to start the day!
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Vegan Chipotle Mayonnaise (Oil-Free)
This vegan chipotle lime mayonnaise is a low-calorie and high-protein alternative to mayo. It's so good too!
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Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
This easy recipe for vegan spinach artichoke dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish that will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike! It's creamy, cheesy, and savory, and it's also gluten-free, nut-free, and oil-free.
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Warm Rice & Quinoa Salad with Pan Fried Tofu
Warm Rice & Quinoa Salad with Pan Fried Tofu is packed full of red pepper, carrot, courgette & onion which is paired with crispy fried silken tofu, rice, and quinoa. This tasty vegan dish is utterly delicious.
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Easy Miso Soup
This easy miso soup recipe with silken tofu makes a perfect nutritious umami-packed savory vegan soup. Delicious and healthy lunch meal ready in just 15 minutes!
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Tomato, Enoki Mushroom and Tofu soup
This simple and delicious Tomato, Enoki Mushroom, and Tofu soup is a vegan and gluten-free version of the popular Chinese dish.
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Silken Tofu with Soy Sesame Sauce
This easy silken tofu recipe comes together in a few simple steps! All you need are some pantry staples to make the flavorful sauce.
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Vegan Butternut Squash Ravioli
This vegan butternut squash ravioli is filled with creamy roasted squash and silken tofu for a filling and comforting dinner. It's super easy to make with store-bought dumpling wrappers.
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Best Vegan Carbonara
This vegan carbonara puts silken tofu to use in one of the best ways possible: to make a rich and creamy pasta sauce! As a bonus, this recipe is quick to make and packed with protein.
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Vegan Egg Mayo Sandwich
Silken tofu makes the best vegan egg mayo! Paired with some firm tofu, kala namak (the secret ingredient), and turmeric for the greatest sandwich filling.
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Vegan Pasta Frittata
This vegan pasta frittata is made by using up leftover pasta, silken tofu, and spices. It slices beautifully for a sit-down lunch and travels well for car journies and packed lunches.
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Vegan Shakshuka
This vegan shakshuka recipe is the ultimate savory, lip-smacking brunch. With a rich spiced tomato base and delicious silken tofu eggs - it is a must-try!
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Easy Sweet Potato Soup (In The Instant Pot)
This easy sweet potato soup can be made in an instant pot and blended in a blender for a low-effort dinner. Silken tofu makes this soup extra creamy and satisfying.
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Sweet Recipes
Silken Tofu Smoothie (Vegan, High-Protein)
This vegan high-protein smoothie with silken tofu has an incredibly creamy texture and tastes like iced hot chocolate. And no, you don't taste the tofu! One serving contains incredible 22 grams of protein, which is just as much as a protein shake but without protein powder.
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Vegan Dutch Baby with Roasted Strawberries
Inspired by a classic Dutch baby but made healthier and vegan, this crispy and flaky baked vegan pancake is the ultimate weekend brunch! Maple strawberries get roasted at the same time, making this an easy weekend brunch idea.
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Vegan Chocolate Mousse
It’s divine, simple, and has a velvety smooth texture… It's Vegan Chocolate Mousse! This luxurious and rich dessert comes together in no time using some seriously chocolatey ingredients and is served with homemade raspberry compote on top.
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Vegan Banana Pudding
Vegan Banana Pudding is a creamy, plant-based banana dessert layered with crisp cookies and fresh bananas and topped with a dairy-free “cream.” This is a plant-based take on the classic Southern dessert.
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Vegan Burnt Basque Cheesecake
This Vegan Burnt Basque Cheesecake is so creamy and silky with the perfect gooey center. It's flavored with orange and sweet vanilla for a burst of spring-time freshness. Serve on its own or with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream on top!
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Blueberry Tart Recipe
This blueberry tart is dairy-free, thanks to a delicious silken tofu filling. This recipe is super easy to make and everyone adores it!
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Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
This super quick and easy, 5-ingredient, no-bake vegan chocolate peanut butter pie is super creamy, silky, and rich thanks to a secret ingredient - perfect for impressing at dinner parties, the holidays, and on lazy evenings!
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Silken Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Pie
This vegan chocolate peppermint pie combines a chocolate pie crust with a creamy silken-tofu chocolate-peppermint filling, all topped off with crushed candy canes, and is the perfect fuss-free holiday dessert.
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Silken Tofu Pumpkin Pie
This rich and creamy silken tofu pumpkin pie is a great dessert that everyone will love! It has the perfect custard texture, it’s not too sweet and it doesn’t even taste like tofu.
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Turtle Parfaits
These turtle parfaits make a perfect weeknight dessert with chocolate, tofu, and caramel! Top with whipped cream if desired and enjoy!
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If you try any of these silken tofu recipes, let me know in the comments below! I'm curious to know which one is your favorite. 😋
Tips for Using It
- Serve silken tofu raw with toppings, in soups or stews, or battered and fried, just like in my fried silken tofu recipe. It's also great to blend into sauces and dips, similar to my silken tofu pasta sauce.
- Avoid using it for grilling, stir-fries, or noodles dishes where you need the firm texture of regular tofu. It will most likely fall apart and turn into mush. If a recipe requires you to press the tofu, always use firm or extra-firm tofu!
- You can use it as an egg replacer in recipes like cupcakes, cakes, and pancakes. For every 1 egg, use ¼ cup of blended silken tofu. You may need to add more flour or liquid to adjust the texture of the batter if needed.
- Use it as a dairy substitute. If a recipe calls for heavy cream, you can blend silken tofu until it's smooth and creamy and use that instead. Keep in mind that this works best for soups, stews, and pasta sauces.
FAQ
Where can I buy silken tofu?
Nowadays, it can be found in the refrigerated section in most big grocery stores, depending on where you live. You can also get it from your local Asian market, or order silken tofu on Amazon.
How is silken tofu different from regular tofu?
They're made from the same ingredients, but the main difference is in their texture and firmness.
Silken tofu has high water content and a creamy consistency, which makes it perfect for blending and using in sauces.
Firm tofu and extra-firm tofu have less moisture and a denser texture, and they're best used for frying or baking. When using it in recipes, you'd usually press it to remove excess water, which makes it crisp up more.
What are the health benefits of eating it?
Silken tofu is high in plant-based protein and fiber, and low in fat, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. It's also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
It's packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, which support healthy bones, teeth, and muscles.
Do you press silken tofu?
No, you don't need to press silken tofu to remove excess liquid. In fact, if you press it, it may break into pieces and fall apart. It's better to gently pat it dry with a paper towel instead.
Can it be eaten without cooking?
Yes, silken tofu is completely safe to be eaten raw. In fact, this is an easy and delicious way to enjoy this healthy ingredient! Try it with some toppings like soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped green onion, and toasted sesame seeds.
How should I store it?
All types of tofu should be stored in a sealed or airtight container in the fridge. Generally, they last for 3-5 days after opening, but can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
📖 Recipe
Super Crispy Fried Silken Tofu
This Fried Silken Tofu is super crispy on the outside, and creamy and light on the inside. It's easy to make, using just a few pantry ingredients! Enjoy with our sriracha mayo or your favorite dipping sauce.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
Tofu
- 12 oz. (350g) package of silken firm tofu
- ¼ cup flour of choice (all-purpose, gluten-free all-purpose, or chickpea flour)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Sriracha mayo (optional)
- ½ cup vegan mayonnaise (or regular)
- 2-3 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
- Using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, carefully pat dry the tofu to remove excess water. Cut into 1 ½-inch pieces.12 oz. (350g) package of silken firm tofu
- Then, in a shallow bowl, add water, spices, and flour and mix until smooth. The mixture should be thick, but pourable, kind of like pancake batter. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out.¼ cup flour of choice, ¼ cup water, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- To another shallow bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. Start coating the tofu, first dip it in the wet batter, then in the breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat all sides of the tofu in the breadcrumbs, gently pressing them down so they stick.1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- If you don't have a deep fryer, heat 2 inches of oil in a cast iron skillet or a Dutch oven until it reaches 380ºF (190ºC). Use a kitchen thermometer to check when the oil is ready. Once hot, carefully drop the tofu and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, until golden brown.Vegetable oil, for frying
- Then, remove the pieces from the hot pan/pot and set them aside on a plate with a paper towel to soak the excess oil. Serve this fried silken tofu right away, while it's warm and crispy.
- For the sauce, mix the mayo and sriracha together until creamy.½ cup vegan mayonnaise, 2-3 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Notes
- Pat dry the tofu. In order for the breading to stick, you have to make sure that the tofu is as dry as possible. Since you can't press silken tofu with a tofu press, I suggest using a paper towel to remove excess liquid.
- Work carefully while coating the tofu. Silken tofu is very soft. I am talking, it can crumble in your hands by just touching it. Make sure to slowly and carefully coat each piece so it doesn't fall apart.
- Use a kitchen thermometer. This is essential to have on hand whenever you're frying something. It will help you know when the oil has reached the right temperature for frying, and it will help you monitor the temperature while cooking. However, if you don't have a kitchen thermometer on hand, you can use a wooden spoon or a chopstick. Dip it into the oil and if the edges sizzle right away, the oil is ready. Just keep in mind that this isn't as accurate as using a thermometer is.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Frying too many pieces at a time will make the temperature of the oil drop too much, and the tofu may stick together. Depending on how big your pot or pan is, you should fry a maximum of 5-6 pieces at a time.
- Be very careful when working with hot oil! Make sure to work very carefully to prevent burning. To be safe, I recommend wearing long sleeves, an apron, and even protective gloves if necessary. Use long kitchen tongs to take the churros out of the oil!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8.7g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 1.65g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11.3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 329.5mg | Potassium: 783.3mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 1.2g | Vitamin A: 82.4IU | Calcium: 30.3mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.
Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!
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