Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (2024)

Updated: by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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Tofu Bacon: tofu marinated in a sweet, salty, smoky, tangy sauce and baked to crispy chewy perfection! Easy, Crazy good, protein rich and gluten free.

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (1)

Wait until you guys try my bacon recipe made with tofu!! Yup vegan tofu bacon! It really tastes a lot like real bacon! Not kidding! You're gonna love it, it’s simple, delicious and it’s ready in no time! And makes the perfect Vegan BLT Sandwich you’ve been missing!

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (2)

Or enjoy along side yourtofu scramble, vegan waffles, pancakes and breakfast fries in the morning or on avocado toast, mmm. Super tasty in a wrap too with grilled or fresh veggies. Yum! Lots of ways to enjoy this meatless bacon!

So there are quite a few vegan bacon recipe options out there, rice paper, tempeh, seitan and even coconut or mushroom bacon! Tofu is the easiest to make and my favourite! The flavour is top notch! and the chew is bang on! Don’t even bother with store bought!!

And I always have tofu on hand in my fridge and I mean always!! It’s my main source of protein I love it!

What’s the best tofu for tofu bacon?

I mostly use super firm (pre pressed) tofu for this recipe but if you have smoked tofu it is also a delicious choice!! I have used extra firm tofu but it can be more finicky to cut thin and can fall apart in the marinade if you’re not careful. Having said that try it if you like just press it first!

Ok guys this recipe is so easy!! You marinate the tofu and either bake it or fry it! Thats it!! Oh and try not to eat half of it right away when it’s done!! Uh yah that’s the hard part haha

So here’s My Vegan Canadian Bacon Recipe EH!🇨🇦 Lol!

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (3)

How do you make tofu bacon?

Slice the tofu into ⅛ inch slices and add to a large ziplock bag or shallow dish like a pie plate. (the thinner you cut the tofu the faster it cooks ⅛ of an inch is perfect or slightly larger but no thinner than ⅛ of an inch)

Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Heat in the microwave or small pot until just simmering, you want it really hot. Pour the marinade over the tofu, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Let cool then remove the air from bag and seal. Marinade tofu for 30 minutes to 1 hour or overnight if you wish, turning the bag a few times. (I also have quick marinade option)

Preheat oven to 400° Spray a large non stick baking sheet with cooking spray (no parchment paper)

Place the tofu one by one on the baking sheet. Baste each one with a little more marinade. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.( For pan fried method see Notes*)

Remove from the oven, flip the tofu pieces over using a fork. Baste with more marinade and spray with more cooking oil. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or longer. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. I usually remove mine after 15-16 minutes total cooking time. (Depends on how thick you sliced the tofu).They will firm up as they cool.

Enjoy! Try not to eat them all straight from the pan!! 😊 For full ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (4)

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (5)

OK GUYS LETS MAKE SOME TOFU BACON, IT'S

gluten free

the perfect addition to so many dishes

easy

full of protein

addicting

kid friendly

umami!

super satisfying

Enjoy guys! Happy day to you! feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.

Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

WANT MORE VEGAN TOFU RECIPES? CHECK THESE OUT!

  • Vegan Orange Chicken
  • Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets (Tofu) (Oven Baked)
  • Tofu Stir Fry Recipe (Chinese)
  • Balsamic Marinated Tofu
  • Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich

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Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (6)

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried)

★★★★★5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Verna
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Tofu Bacon: tofu marinated in a sweet, salty, smoky, tangy sauce and baked to crispy chewy perfection! Easy, Crazy good, protein rich and gluten free.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 package super firm tofu, pre pressed, (for more options see notes*)
  • cooking oil spray

Bacon Tofu Marinade:

  • ⅓ cup Tamari (haven't tried soy sauce or Lite Tamari with this recipe)
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 3 teaspoons liquid smoke, I use hickory flavoured
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon granulated onion
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin

Instructions

  1. Slice the tofu into ⅛ inch slices and add to a large ziplock bag or shallow dish like a pie plate. (the thinner you cut the tofu the faster it cooks ⅛ of an inch is perfect or slightly larger but no thinner than ⅛ of an inch)
  2. Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Heat in the microwave or small pot until just simmering, you want it really hot. Pour the marinade over the tofu, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Let cool then remove the air from bag and seal. Marinade tofu for 30 minutes to 1 hour or overnight if you wish, turning the bag a few times. (For quick marinade version see Notes*)
  3. Preheat oven to 400° Spray a large non stick baking sheet with cooking spray (no parchment paper)
  4. Place the tofu one by one on the baking sheet. Baste each one with a little more marinade. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.( For pan fried or air fryer method see Notes*)
  5. Remove from the oven, flip the tofu pieces over using a fork. Baste with more marinade and spray with more cooking oil. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or longer. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. I usually remove mine after 15-16 minutes total cooking time. (Depends on how thick you sliced the tofu).They will firm up as they cool.
  6. Enjoy! Try not to eat them all straight from the pan!! Step by step photos in a above post 🔼
  7. Delicious in a vegan BLT with avocado, or with tofu scramble and breakfast fries. Also great in a wrap or chopped in salads likecaesar salad! Lots of choices! Super Tasty!!

Notes

  • Tofu options: I mostly use super firm (pre pressed) tofu for this recipe I like the consistency the best but if you have smoked tofu it is also a delicious choice!! I have used extra firm tofu but it can be more finicky and can fall apart in the marinade if you’re not careful. Having said that try it if you like just press it for at least 20 minutes first!
  • Quick marinade (this works well): add sliced tofu strips to a non stick shallow pan pour over marinade and simmer on medium to medium low heat for 7 minutes. Basting as you go. Continue from Step 3.
  • Pan Fried Tofu Bacon: add marinated tofu to a non stick pan with some oil. Cook in batches over medium to medium low heat for a few minutes on each side. (Baste as you go), until you’re happy with the texture.
  • For oil free:I prefer using my cooking oil spray but it will work without oil, just won't be as crispy. Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Air Fryer Method: My daughter does this❤️ Add marinated tofu to air fryer in batches. Spray with cooking oil spray (opt) Cook at 400° for 13-20 minutes. Watch carefully from 13 minutes and on to prevent burning.
  • To reheat Tofu Bacon: add a little reserved marinade and warm in the oven or microwave for a few minutes.
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes (doesn't include marinating time)
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Category: Breakfast & Baking, gluten free, Snacks & Sides,
  • Method: Oven or stovetop
  • Cuisine: Canadian, American

Keywords: tofu bacon, vegan bacon, meatless bacon, smoky, sweet, recipe,

Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

Is tofu better pan fried or air fried? ›

It's crunchy, super flavourful, protein-packed, and simple to make. And you don't have to do any chopping! I do prefer this air fried tofu over pan fried tofu. The cooking method itself is just easier and it doesn't make as much of a mess.

Should tofu be fried before adding to curry? ›

About Tofu Curry

To begin with, first you will get rid of the excess moisture from the tofu and marinate it with spices and herbs for a short time until the curry is ready. It is then pan-fried and then added to the delicious curry sauce. So the Tofu in the Curry is full-flavored with a excellent texture!

Should tofu be deep fried? ›

If you don't like the usual texture of tofu, you may enjoy crispy deep-fried tofu. For nonvegetarians, the texture will be more meat-like. The frying will give it extra flavor as well. If you are on a gluten-free diet, make sure you use a gluten-free cornstarch.

Is baked tofu healthier than fried? ›

On the other hand, baking tofu is a healthy alternative to frying, with much lower fat and calorie content, although it doesn't offer the same crispiness.

Why isn't my tofu getting crispy in the oven? ›

If you have tried to make tofu before and could never seem to get it to crisp up, there could be a few reasons as to why. First off, you may have not baked your tofu at a high enough temperature. High heat is important for getting your tofu to turn out nice and crispy.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Despite the nutritional benefits of tofu, fried tofu is not a healthy food choice. The problem lies in the frying cooking method. Although tofu is naturally low in calories and fat, frying adds tons of fat grams to the tofu and drastically increases the dish's calorie count.

Why is my tofu not crispy air fryer? ›

Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave a little space around each one. If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary!

Do you marinate tofu before or after frying? ›

Simply marinate your tofu then fry, bake, or cook in the air fryer for beautifully crispy tofu that tastes delicious every single time.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Baking is my go-to method for how to cook tofu. It yields flavorful, firm cubes that are perfect for adding to a stir fry, salad, or bowl!

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

What is the best oil to fry tofu in? ›

Frying oil: Regular vegetable or canola oil, peanut, corn, safflower or sunflower oil are all good options for frying.

Should I salt tofu before frying? ›

Blanch the Tofu

Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with a tablespoon of kosher salt. This simple but important step will help firm up the tofu and allow it to hold its shape when frying. Add tofu to the boiling water, cover and turn the heat to low.

Do you have to press tofu before pan frying? ›

Do you need to press tofu? Pressing can be important but it depends on the recipe. It can make a lot of difference, particularly where the tofu is being pan-fried or baked and you want the slices or pieces of tofu to hold their shape.

How should I cook my tofu? ›

Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.

How do you cook tofu like they do in restaurants? ›

You can bake, pan-fry, or deep fry your tofu.

All methods work well, but if you want it truly crispy like the kind you may get at your favorite Asian restaurant, you need to deep fry it or at least use a lot of oil while pan-frying.

Does cooking tofu destroy nutrients? ›

It also contains trypsin inhibitors, which interfere with the digestion and absorption of protein. Fortunately, this should not be much of a concern for most people, as soaking, sprouting, cooking and fermenting tofu can significantly slash the antinutrient content.

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