Ingredients
Method
Press and Prep the Tofu
- Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and place a heavy pan or book on top. Press for at least 10 minutes to remove excess moisture — the drier the tofu, the crispier it will bake.
- Once pressed, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and place in a bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the neutral oil, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and toss gently until all cubes are evenly coated.
Make the Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze. Remove from heat and set aside. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Bake the Tofu
- Preheat your toaster oven to 400°F (200°C) on the bake setting. Line the toaster oven baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Spread the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes in a single layer on one half of the prepared pan, leaving space between each piece. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each cube carefully with tongs or a spatula.
- Brush each tofu cube generously with teriyaki sauce, reserving the rest for serving. Return to the toaster oven and bake for another 10 minutes until edges are deeply golden and caramelized.
Roast the Broccoli and Pineapple
- While the tofu is in its second bake, toss the broccoli florets with the remaining 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Spread them on a separate small oven-safe pan or foil-lined tray that fits in your toaster oven.
- Add the pineapple chunks alongside the broccoli on the tray. Drizzle everything with sesame oil. Place in the toaster oven alongside or after the tofu and roast at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until the broccoli tips are lightly charred and the pineapple is golden and caramelized at the edges.
Assemble and Serve
- Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with the glazed tofu cubes, roasted broccoli, and caramelized pineapple chunks.
- Drizzle additional teriyaki sauce over each bowl to taste. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Pressing the tofu is the single most important step — skip it and you will get steamed, soft cubes instead of crispy ones. For extra crispiness, increase the cornstarch coating to 3 tablespoons. If your toaster oven is small and cannot fit two trays at once, bake the tofu first through both stages, then roast the broccoli and pineapple while you prep the bowls — the tofu holds its texture well for 10 minutes at room temperature. Swap honey for maple syrup to make this fully vegan. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat the tofu and vegetables on the toaster oven bake setting at 375°F for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispiness. Do not microwave the tofu if you want it to stay crispy.
