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.
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!
Or enjoy along side your tofu 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!
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.
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.
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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
Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
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
- 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
- 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. (For quick marinade version see Notes*)
- 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 or air fryer 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!! Step by step photos in a above post 🔼
- Delicious in a vegan BLT with avocado, or with tofu scramble and breakfast fries. Also great in a wrap or chopped in salads like caesar 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,
Ayla
I definitely would use a glass container, pouring hot or warm liquids in a plastic bag isn’t ideal. I think I would like to try this in an air fryer might crisp it up without the added oil. Thanks for sharing the receipe
LJ
Made this last for dinner. It seemed bland and I couldn’t get it to crisp up—or even to a chewy texture—in the oven. This morning I put the leftovers on the cast iron grill and sprinkled on some smoked salt and additional nutritional yeast. Perfect!
Jen
Delicious! I'm always skeptical of meat substitutes, but this is simply a tasty way to enjoy tofu with some umami flavors. I marinaded it overnight, and hubby was disappointed I wasn't baking it immediately bc it smelled so good! We both enjoyed it with breakfast this morning, plan to try it in a homemade bagel sandwich tomorrow. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Verna
So glad you both enjoyed the recipe. Thank you so much for your feedback it is so very appreciated. Happy New year!
Joanna
I used to love bacon sandwiches so thank you for this!
★★★★★
Verna
You're so welcome!
Regan
Best vegan bacon I’ve tried I much prefer tofu over the rice paper method. Thank you for recipe
★★★★★
Verna
You are so welcome thrilled you enjoyed it! Thanks for the awesome feedback
Morgan
Superb! Perfect with english muffins for eggs benedict. Flavor is outstanding. The whole house smelled wonderful while it was baking!
★★★★★
Verna
Yay!! I am thrilled you enjoyed it. You made my day Morgan!
Hank
Made this tofu bacon with your pancake recipe and had the best Sunday brunch 🙂
★★★★★
Verna
Great idea! Sounds wonderful Hank. Pancakes and bacon good combo!! Thanks for sharing!
Laura
This recipe looks intriguing! I think the hubby would enjoy it. 😉 Eager to try it out, thank you!! A couple of questions, if you don’t mind:
• If I use smoked tofu can I skip the liquid smoke?
• Can I marinate it overnight in a sealed glass container like a lasagna dish? Do I have to use a plastic bag?
• Can I baste with a brush? I don’t have oil in a spray.
Many thanks in advance! Wishing you a wonderful day. 🙂
Verna
Hi Laura! yes I would still use liquid smoke. I have used my glass pie plate instead of a plastic bag. Marinating overnight is great! and it'll work just fine basted with a brush!! Hope that helps and you have yourself a super day too!!😊 Enjoy the recipe!
Midge
We love this on our BLT ,
★★★★★
Verna
Thanks Midge glad you enjoyed it!!
Susan
Hi there
How much maple syrup.
I don't see it
Thanks ❤
Verna
Hi Susan😊 3 tablespoons maple syrup. It's been fixed in the recipe card. Enjoy!