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Panzanella mit Tofu

8 JULY 2021

Panzanella with Tofu

This post is also available in: deutsch

Last updated 8 June 2026

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
50 min
Servings
4 servings

Hello Lovelies, finally we can enjoy the summer and of course today I have a recipe to go with it: Panzanella with tofu. In collaboration with Taifun Tofu*, I created this version of the summer classic for you. I think it's no longer a secret that Taifun's tofu has been one of our favorites for years and is enjoyed by the whole family almost every day. But I also keep discovering varieties in the range that I rarely use and which then surprise me.

Panzanella mit Tofu

For the Panzanella I have chosen the Mediterranean varieties: Tofu Basilico, Tofu Rosso and the Tofu Olive. All three go perfectly with the Italian bread salad and I'll show you 3 different ways how you can prepare the tofu and serve it with the salad. It is guaranteed not to be boring.

Panzanella mit Tofu

**Panzanella **

The bread salad, called Panzanella in Italy, comes from Tuscany, but is also served in other Italian regions. There are different views as to where the dish originally came from. But it is called "poor people's food". referred to because stale bread is used to make it edible again. Today the salad is very common and with the few ingredients it tastes simply delicious! It is also a great way to avoid food waste.

Panzanella mit Tofu

Panzanella with Tofu

Panzanella mit Tofu

The classic summer salad - refined with tofu

  • Backofen

Brot

  • 1/2-3/4 (ca. 250 g) Ciabatta or baguette (from the day before)
  • 200 g Taifun Tofu (e.g. Basilico, Rosso or Olive)
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1-2 tsp salt

Salat

  • 500 g tomatoes
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 2 red onions
  • 8 Tbsp olive oil
  • 5 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • fresh basil, capers and olives as desired

Bread

Heat the oven to 160 degrees

Cut the bread into cubes, approx. 2x2 cm

Cut the tofu into cubes

Press or finely chop the garlic, mix with the oil and salt and turn the tofu and the pieces of bread in it until everything is well distributed

Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 20-30 minutes until crispy

Salad

Cut the cucumber (cut away the inside) and tomatoes into cubes (pieces), put the onions in thin rings, everything in a bowl

Mix the dressing with the oil, vinegar, S&P and maple syrup and pour over the cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, let it steep for a while

Add the bread and tofu, mix everything and add fresh basil, capers and olives if desired

Panzanella mit Tofu

You have to try the salad, it's just perfect for the summer days. And if you don't want to put the tofu in the oven, you can fry it in the pan until crispy. To do this, cut the tofu into cubes, pat dry with kitchen paper, dust with a little starch and then fry in oil until crispy. We used the Tofu Rosso for this, which was very tasty.

Panzanella mit Tofu

Another version - especially popular with olive lovers - is to add the tofu olive raw to the salad. Simply crumble a little with your hands and add extra olives to the salad and you have another delicious variation.

  • Panzanella mit Tofu
  • Panzanella mit Tofu

Now you have many options to enjoy this fine salad. I'm curious what you like best. And if you are looking for more tofu ideas, you will find many recipes here on the blog.

If you love light summer salads, you will probably also enjoy my tomato-peach salad or the refreshing vegan watermelon-feta salad – just like the panzanella, both are perfect for warm days.

Enjoy your summer!

Love Verena

PINTEREST

If you have Pinterest you can find me here and you can pin one of these pictures if you like:

  • Panzanella with Tofu
  • Panzanella with Tofu
  • Panzanella with Tofu

*This blog post was created in collaboration with Taifun Tofu - the recipes are my own.

Yours, Verena

TIPS

Verena's notes

Always use day-old, stale bread – it soaks up the dressing without going mushy. You can also pan-fry the tofu until crispy or crumble it in raw.

Panzanella mit Tofu

5.0 from 1 vote

Panzanella with Tofu

Panzanella with tofu – the classic Italian bread salad from Tuscany with tomatoes, cucumber and crispy bread. A summery, vegan main in 3 easy tofu variations.

  • Course:Salad
  • Keyword:panzanella, bread salad, tofu, summer, vegan
  • Prep:20 min
  • Cook:30 min
  • Servings:4 servings
Vegan

EQUIPMENT

  • Backofen

INGREDIENTS

Brot:

  • 1/2-3/4(ca. 250 g)Ciabatta or baguette from the day before
  • 200gTaifun Tofu e.g. Basilico, Rosso or Olive
  • 4Tbspolive oil
  • 2garlic cloves
  • 1-2tspsalt

Salat:

  • 500gtomatoes
  • 1/2cucumber
  • 2red onions
  • 8Tbspolive oil
  • 5Tbspbalsamic vinegar
  • salt & pepper
  • 1tspmaple syrup
  • fresh basil, capers and olives as desired

INSTRUCTIONS

Bread

  1. Heat the oven to 160 degrees
  2. Cut the bread into cubes, approx. 2x2 cm
  3. Cut the tofu into cubes
  4. Press or finely chop the garlic, mix with the oil and salt and turn the tofu and the pieces of bread in it until everything is well distributed
  5. Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 20-30 minutes until crispy

Salad

  1. Cut the cucumber (cut away the inside) and tomatoes into cubes (pieces), put the onions in thin rings, everything in a bowl
  2. Mix the dressing with the oil, vinegar, S&P and maple syrup and pour over the cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, let it steep for a while
  3. Add the bread and tofu, mix everything and add fresh basil, capers and olives if desired
calories
420 kcal
GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

  • Panzanella is a classic Italian bread salad from Tuscany. It is made with stale bread, tomatoes, cucumber and red onions dressed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and it is a typical summer dish.

  • Rustic white bread like ciabatta or baguette from the day before works best. Stale bread soaks up the dressing without turning mushy, which is exactly why panzanella is such a great way to use up leftovers.

  • Ideally, yes. Day-old, dry bread keeps more bite in the salad. If you only have fresh bread, cut it into cubes and toast it briefly in the oven so it crisps up.

  • Panzanella tastes best freshly tossed. Covered in the fridge it keeps for about 1 day, but it softens over time as the bread keeps absorbing liquid.

  • Yes, this recipe is fully vegan. Instead of cheese or anchovies, crispy tofu adds protein and flavor, turning the bread salad into a satisfying main course.

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