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    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Tofu and Tempeh Recipes

    Vegan Honey BBQ Tofu

    Published: Mar 30, 2021 · by Nicole · Updated: Mar 9, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This vegan honey BBQ tofu is made with a crispy breading and a savory, sticky 'honey' sauce. You need just 20 minutes and simple ingredients to make this delicious plant based dinner that's ideal for a weeknight after a busy day!

    Vegan honey BBQ tofu-9

    It's pretty obvious that I love tofu. Seriously, my love for this ingredient has no boundaries. It's incredibly versatile, and can be used in so many different recipes - sweet and savory alike! So all in all, you really just can't go wrong if you learn how to prepare it correctly. So whenever I'm super tired after a long day and don't know what to make, I usually default to a tofu-based dish.

    I think a lot of the negative reputation comes from the fact that tofu by itself is very neutral in flavor. But, that's actually in advantage! As you can see, if you learn how to make tofu taste good, you can turn it into anything, including crispy, chewy nuggets of deliciousness. Add an amazing 'honey' BBQ sauce, and there's a dinner of your dreams. As for any scepticism about tofu? Gone.

    Vegan 'honey' BBQ tofu with potatoes and cucumber in a bowl

    Crispy fried tofu

    As you can see, the star of this vegan honey BBQ tofu recipe is the crispy fried tofu. Given how often it makes an appearance on my dinner table, I wrote a whole post about how to make crispy tofu. And this is a fantastic way to serve it: with a BBQ sauce that requires just a few ingredients for ultimate deliciousness. If you have non-vegans to impress, this meal will have them going back for seconds!

    This honey BBQ tofu uses a simple breading which requires just 4 ingredients and creates a perfect crunch. The inside is tender and chewy, with just the right amount of bite. Say goodbye to bland or soggy tofu!

    Bowl with tofu, potatoes and cucumber

    How to press tofu

    For best results, it's incredibly important to press the tofu you're using. This will ensure that the texture is firm on the inside, and the tofu crisps up very nicely. Some brands sell tofu that is pressed already, in which case you can skip this step. But if not, you can easily press the tofu yourself.

    BBQ tofu in a bowl

    Simply cube it into bite-sized pieces and lay them out on a flat surface. Next, lay a few paper towels on top, followed by a wide frying pan. Proceed to place more heavy objects inside the frying pan, such as cans of beans or books. Leave for 20-30 minutes, after which your tofu will be ready to use!

    Ingredients & substitutions for vegan honey BBQ tofu

    Crispy tofu ingredients
    • Tofu. There are many different varieties of tofu, and for this recipe I would recommend using either firm or extra firm tofu for the best results.
    • Breadcrumbs. Any variety you have available should work just fine.
    • Flour. This will also go in the breading. I used plain white flour. You can also sub in a gluten-free flour of your choice, such as an all-purpose blend, buckwheat flour, or chickpea flour.
    • Salt and paprika for seasoning the breading.
    • Sesame oil or olive oil for frying the tofu.
    • BBQ sauce. Ensure that this is vegan if using store-bought. You can also use homemade BBQ sauce.
    • Maple syrup or any other vegan liquid sweetener of your choice. This works as a honey replacement for the sauce.
    • Apple cider vinegar.
    • Cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Tapioca flour will also work.
    Vegan BBQ tofu in a bowl with rice

    How to make vegan honey BBQ tofu

    This is a summary of the cooking instructions to go along with the ste-by-step photos. For a full ingredient breakdown with measurements, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post.

    Start by making the breading. Whisk together the breadcrumbs, flour, paprika and salt.

    Ingredients for crispy tofu
    Tofu coated in breadcrumbs

    Next, heat a thin layer of olive oil in a wok or pan over a medium-high heat. Dip the tofu cubes in the breading, making sure each one is thoroughly coated.

    Tofu in a frying pan
    Crispy tofu in a frying pan

    Transfer the tofu cubes to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it - it may be necessary to work in batches. Fry for 8-10 minutes, rotating the tofu cubes around once every 2 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside when done.

    BBQ sauce in a frying pan
    Crispy tofu on a plate

    Clean the wok/pan, before adding the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, water and cornstarch. Lower the heat to a low/medium and whisk continuously until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, add the tofu cubes, mix together, and serve.

    How to serve vegan honey BBQ tofu

    This tofu recipe is so versatile! You can serve it with any side dish of your choice, such as rice, noodles, potatoes, pasta, etc. You can also add it to a sandwich, wrap, or salad. It's fantastic for a flavorful and comforting lunch or dinner! I love to add some chopped spring onions on top, as well as chilli flakes. I'd also recommend sesame seeds as a great finishing touch.

    Bowl of tofu in a BBQ sauce with rice

    Frequently-asked questions

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Crispy tofu is best eaten straight away, because if you leave it for too long, it will go soggy.

    Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and a gluten-free flour mix.

    Can I make baked crispy tofu?

    Yes - you can bake this tofu at 180 degrees C (350 F) for 20-25 minutes to achieve a very similar result.

    Other amazing tofu recipes

    • My sweet and sour tofu is perfect for a quick dinner!
    • Try out scrambled tofu for a delish savory breakfast.
    • Miso-glazed tofu steaks are amazing served with a side dish of your choice.
    • For a refreshing and wholesome lunch, try out a macaroni salad with tofu feta.
    Vegan honey BBQ tofu-12

    Let me know in the comments: what's your favourite sauce to serve with tofu? If you give this 'honey' BBQ tofu a go, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@ohmyveggies) so I can see your creations, and leave your feedback in the comments below together with a star rating!

    Click here to pin this for later

    Vegan 'Honey' BBQ Tofu

    This vegan honey BBQ tofu is made with a delicious and crispy breading and a flavorful, savory sauce using just a handful of simple ingredients. Serve with a side dish of your choice for a quick weeknight dinner that's ready in 20 minutes!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: BBQ sauce, Breadcrumbs, earth of maria, Maple syrup, to move, Tofu
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 551kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Frying pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 15 oz extra firm tofu
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • ½ cup BBQ sauce ensure vegan
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Whisk together the breadcrumbs, flour, paprika and salt in a mixing bowl.
    • Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a wok or pan over a medium-high heat. Dip the tofu cubes in the breading, making sure each one is thoroughly coated.
    • Transfer the tofu cubes to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it - it may be necessary to work in batches. Fry for 8-10 minutes, rotating the tofu cubes around once every 2 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside when done.
    • Clean the wok/pan, before adding the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, water and cornstarch. Lower the heat to a low/medium and whisk continuously until the sauce thickens.
    • Remove from the heat, add the tofu cubes, mix together, and serve.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 551kcalCarbohydrates: 85gProtein: 17gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1026mgPotassium: 422mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 326IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 5mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
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    30 Minutes or Less, Earth of Maria, Tofu and Tempeh Recipes, Vegan Dinner Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegan Weeknight Meals, Vegetarian Recipes BBQ sauce, Breadcrumbs, maple syrup, tofu

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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