This Baked BBQ Tofu is the perfect plant-based protein to add to your summer dinner rotation. Tofu gets coated in seasonings, baked until golden brown, and then brushed with sweet and smoky bbq sauce. It's vegan, gluten-free, and family-friendly!
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One of my favorite things about cooking with tofu is that it's a blank canvas.
You can cook it in so many different ways and change up the flavors with various seasonings and sauces.
This delicious bbq tofu recipe is easy to prepare, packed with protein, and can be served with a variety of different side dishes.
It pairs perfectly with creamy vegan cucumber salad!
Ingredients
This barbecue tofu recipe requires a few simple ingredients including tofu, seasonings, and bbq sauce!
Tofu: Firm tofu or extra-firm tofu will work well for this recipe. But pressing the tofu is crucial to getting the right texture.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch mixed with seasonings helps to create a nice crust around the tofu.
Seasonings: I used garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper but feel free to get creative. A pinch of cayenne would be great too.
BBQ Sauce: I recommend this Gluten-Free BBQ sauce recipe. It's the one I used and it's fantastic! But feel free to use your favorite bbq sauce.
Is BBQ Sauce Vegan?
Not always! Sometimes barbecue sauce contains animal-based ingredients like Worcestershire sauce which has anchovies in it. It can oftentimes include honey as well.
Luckily, a lot of store-bought BBQ sauces are vegan-friendly.
I used a homemade BBQ sauce recipe that is made up of organic ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
It's tangy, sweet, and has a hint of spice from cayenne pepper. It's incredible and I highly recommend giving it a try!
Helpful Equipment
If you eat tofu at least a few times a week, I highly recommend investing in a tofu press. My favorite tofu press is by Tofuture.
Removing the excess water will help you achieve the perfect texture. It's not always necessary but for this recipe it is!
How to Make This Recipe
Tofu is one of my favorite protein sources and for good reason! It's incredibly versatile and there are so many different ways to prepare it.
This easy baked bbq tofu recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious!
The full recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Preheat oven to 425F. Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water.
While the tofu is pressing, make the vegan bbq sauce. Alternatively, you can use store-bought.
Step 1: Cut the block of tofu into 8 large triangles. Whisk together the cornstarch and the seasonings. Lightly sprinkle each piece of tofu in the cornstarch mixture.
Step 2: Place the tofu onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray and spray with avocado oil. If you don't have spray oil, you can lightly drizzle it over the top.
Step 3: Bake for 20 minutes then flip and continue to cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The tofu pieces should be nice and golden brown.
Step 4: Then, brush the crispy baked tofu with a light coating of BBQ sauce and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Remove from oven and serve immediately or allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is customizable so feel free to get creative!
Tofu: This same method can be used for tempeh. Coat it in seasonings and bake until crisp or pan-fry.
Cornstarch: If you can't have cornstarch, replace it with nutritional yeast. Its only purpose is to create a crisp coating.
Seasonings: Use a dry seasoning blend that you enjoy!
BBQ Sauce: Try it with buffalo sauce!
Serving Ideas
This BBQ tofu is the perfect main course for outdoor gatherings and summer parties.
Serve over rice: I love serving this plant-based protein over rice with cucumber salad. It's been my go-to summer dinner!
Enjoy it at a BBQ: Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, and grilled vegetables.
Add it to BBQ tofu sandwiches: Serve with red cabbage slaw, pickles, vegan mayo, and a toasted bun!
Serve with potatoes: Mashed potatoes, potato salad, or crispy roasted potatoes are all good side dish options. Green beans or Brussels sprouts would be nice too.
Serve it over mac & cheese: If you've never had vegan mac and cheese topped with BBQ tofu you are missing out. It's pure comfort food! Drizzle it with vegan ranch dressing- trust me.
Grain bowl: Add it to a grain bowl with brown rice, sweet potatoes, and roasted broccoli.
Tips & Tricks
Tofu can get a bad rap for being bland but these tips can turn a tofu hater into a tofu lover!
Don't have a tofu press? I highly recommend them but you can create your own DIY tofu press by wrapping the block of tofu in paper towels or clean dishcloths and placing it in a shallow bowl and stacking heavy items on top. Press for as little as 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature before baking the tofu. This helps to ensure even cooking and proper browning.
Arrange tofu in an even layer: When placing the tofu on a baking tray, arrange the tofu in a single layer with space between each piece.
Storage
This BBQ tofu recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
BBQ sauce is frequently vegan-friendly, but occasional variations may include non-vegan elements, such as Worcestershire sauce with anchovies or honey for added sweetness. Always check the label.
Yes, this recipe for BBQ tofu is 100% gluten-free if using this Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce.
I typically use a homemade version but my favorite store-bought brands are Whole Foods 365, Organicville, and Noble Made.
More Tofu Recipes You'll Love
Recipe
Baked BBQ Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 oz Block of Firm or Extra-Firm Tofu
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Spray Avocado Oil for cooking
- ½ cup Vegan BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water. You can do this by using a tofu press or by making a DIY tofu press. To do so, simply wrap the block of tofu in paper towels or clean dishcloths and place it in a shallow bowl. Then, stack heavy items on top to drain the excess water.
- While the tofu is pressing, make the vegan bbq sauce. Alternatively, you can use store-bought.
- Cut the block of tofu into 8 large triangles. If you'd like smaller pieces, cut it into smaller triangles or cubes.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and the seasonings. Lightly sprinkle each piece of tofu in the cornstarch mixture.
- Place the tofu onto a parchment-lined baking tray and spray with avocado oil. If you don't have spray oil, you can lightly drizzle it over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes then flip and continue to cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The tofu pieces should be nice and golden brown. Then, brush with a light coating of bbq sauce and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately or allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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