Need a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love? This baked BBQ tofu is always a hit and comes together in about 30 minutes. It's flavorful, satisfying, and perfect for busy nights.
What sets this baked BBQ tofu apart from others is its bold flavor and minimal effort. It's double-basted so every bite is packed with that classic BBQ taste (smoky, savory, tangy, and slightly sweet), no grill required.
Even better, this recipe is quick and easy to make. With a good BBQ sauce and a few basic ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in under an hour.
It's a dish that's earned a permanent spot in my kitchen, and it's sure to earn one in yours too.
If you're in the mood for a crispy, breaded BBQ option, be sure to check out my BBQ cauliflower wings.
Ingredients You'll Need
You only need four simple ingredients to make the best BBQ tofu.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutes
- Tofu - For the best texture, use extra-firm or super-firm tofu.
- BBQ sauce - Use your favorite BBQ sauce or choose a high-quality one. I like the 365 brand. It's thick with a deep, rich, smoky flavor and sticks beautifully to the tofu.
- Cornstarch - This helps the outside crisp up. To substitute, use potato starch or tapioca starch.
- Spray oil - Using spray oil is the quickest and easiest way to coat the tofu. If you don't have any on hand, simply toss the tofu with a little oil instead.
Instructions to Make Baked BBQ Tofu
Learn how to make flavorful baked BBQ tofu with these simple step-by-step instructions.
1. First, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Then, use your hands to break it into chunks, placing them in a plastic bag or lidded container as you go.
2. Sprinkle 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch over the tofu. Close the bag or container and shake to coat each piece.
3. Arrange them on a baking sheet and lightly spray them with cooking oil. It's okay if the pan is a bit crowded. The tofu will shrink as it bakes.
Pro tip: No spray oil? No problem! In step 2, after coating the tofu with cornstarch, drizzle about 1 tablespoon of oil over it. Seal the bag or container and shake until the pieces are evenly coated.
4. Bake at 400ºF for 10-15 minutes, or until firm and golden brown. Toss the pieces halfway through to ensure even baking.
5. Use a spoon to carefully gather the tofu pieces in the center of the pan. Drizzle with ½ cup of BBQ sauce, toss to coat, then evenly space them on the pan.
6. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until the BBQ sauce is caramelized and sticky.
7. Toss the tofu around the pan, then gather it in the center once more. Use a spoon to drizzle the remaining BBQ sauce over the pieces, ensuring each one is coated, as shown above.
8. Bake for another 5 minutes to caramelize the sauce. Serve immediately.
Tip: Basting the tofu twice with BBQ sauce is the key to achieving the best taste. This layering technique builds deep flavor and creates a sticky, caramelized finish.
How to Serve It
One of the best things about this baked BBQ tofu is how versatile it is. Serve it:
- Over grains: Enjoy on a bed of white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or rice pilaf.
- With veggies: Pair alongside roasted or steamed vegetables, corn on the cob, or grilled zucchini for a balanced plate.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and/or diced avocado for extra flavor.
- On a salad: Top a fresh green salad with warm BBQ tofu for a protein-packed, flavorful lunch or dinner.
- With hearty sides: Pair with roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, crispy potatoes, pasta salad, cornbread, creamy coleslaw, or mac and cheese.
- Stuffed into sandwiches or wraps: Layer with avocado, pickles, onion, and extra sauce for a satisfying meal.
This crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for easy meals or an impressive dish for dinner guests.
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See ya there!
Recipe
Baked BBQ Tofu
Ingredients
Instructions
Drain and Press the Tofu
- For firm or extra-firm tofu, press out the excess water. Use a tofu press or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, place it on a plate, and top with a heavy object (like a small pan or book) for 5-10 minutes.
For the BBQ Tofu
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF, then break the tofu into chunks and place them in a zip-lock bag or lidded container as you go.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu. Close the bag or container and shake to coat each piece.
- Arrange the tofu on a baking sheet and lightly spray each piece with cooking oil. Bake at 400ºF for 15-20 minutes, or until firm and golden brown. Halfway through baking, toss to ensure even cooking.
- Use a spoon to carefully gather the tofu pieces in the center of the pan. Drizzle with ½ cup of BBQ sauce and toss to evenly coat. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
- Remove the pan from the oven and toss the tofu around, then gather it in the center once more. Use a spoon to drizzle the remaining BBQ sauce over each piece. Bake another 5 minutes to caramelize the sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Serving options: Enjoy with white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. Add sautéed onion, diced avocado, and green onions or chives. For more serving suggestions, see the post above.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce or choose a high-quality one. I like Amazon's 365 brand. It's thick with a deep, rich, smoky flavor and sticks beautifully to the tofu.
Nutrition
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
*This recipe was originally posted on Nov. 5, 2015. It has since been updated with new photos, an improved recipe, and more detailed information.
More Tofu Recipes
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Spirit
None of my pieces browned, just barely crispy. They all were an icky white powder, not eye appealing. But that quickly is fixed with the sauce. I baked for 25 mins, added sauce, baked another 10 mins. The flavor was good. I like the way I can so easily bake up flavorful tofu & added it to whatever. I will make this again.
Marlena Luna
Thank you for sharing your experience. Tofu browning and texture can vary depending on the brand, type, and amount of moisture pressed out. Pressing it well helps the cornstarch coat evenly for better browning. I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor and plan to make it again!
Misch
Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for the great recipe! This was my first time making tofu and this recipe was super easy and very accessible for non-vegetarian folks. Look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Marlena Luna
I'm so glad you liked the tofu, Misch! :) It's actually in my weekly rotation, my family loves it! Let me know if you try any of my other recipes!
Denise
Excited to try this recipe! :)
Marlena Luna
Hi Denise! Enjoy and let me know how it goes!