Vegan Caprese-inspired stacks are like warm, cozy version of a vegan tofu Caprese. Instead of serving it cold, you bake these tofu tomato towers in the oven with a garlic herb breadcrumb topping. They are absolutely delicious!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: tofu caprese, vegan caprese
Servings: 4
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Vegan Richa
Ingredients
3or 4 juicy heirloom tomatoessliced into ½” thick slices
For the Garlic Breadcrumb Topping
2clovesgarlicfinely chopped or minced
¼cupbreadcrumbspanko or other dried breadcrumbs
¼teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonred pepper flakes
½cupvegan cheeseI use a mix of mozzarella and vegan Parmesan
2tablespoonsfresh Italian herbslike basil, or parsley or you can use green onion instead
1teaspoondried Italian seasoningor use a mix of basil and Italian seasoning
2 to 3teaspoonsextra virgin olive oil
For the Tofu Layer
1teaspoonolive oil
14ouncefirm or extra from tofuno need to press it, drained and sliced into ½” thick slices
Preheat the oven to 400° F (205° C). Slice the tomato, if you haven't already. Also slice your tofu, and use a cookie cutter to cut through the tofu slices to match your tomato slice sizes, or you can just use the square or rectangular tofu slices.
Make the Garlic Breadcrumb Topping
Add all of the ingredients and 1 teaspoon olive oil listed under Garlic Breadcrumb Topping into a bowl, and toss to mix really well. Set aside.
Assemble and bake.
Brush olive oil all over the bottom of a 9x8” or a similar-sized baking dish (or any baking dish which will fit all of your tomatoes). Then, place your tofu in the baking dish.
In a small bowl mix the nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper, and sprinkle it all over the tofu in the pan. Then, place your tomato slices on top of the tofu.
Distribute the garlic-breadcrumb mixture over all the tomato slices. I usually put about 2 tablespoons or more on each tomato slice. Drizzle another teaspoon or so of olive oil gently all over the breadcrumbs.
Bake for 25 minutes, checking at the 20-minute mark to see if it is golden brown on top, in which case it's done. Depending on your preference, you can crisp up the top really well by baking it a bit longer.
Remove the baking dish from the oven, let it sit for a minute or two, then scoop up the tofu Caprese towers using a spatula and serve. Or, you can just slice from the baking dish itself if you used rectangular tofu slices. Serve as side or appetizer, with creamy pasta or herbed pasta and or toasted sourdough.
Store refrigerated for upto 3 days. Reheat in microwave or oven.
Notes
To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.This recipe is nut-free if you use nut-free vegan cheese.To make this without soy, use non-soy tofu, like chickpea tofu, fava bean tofu, or pumpkin seed tofu.