Craving a classic BBQ sandwich but without the meat? This Crispy BBQ Tofu Sandwich has you covered!
With crispy crunchy tofu smothered in ooey-gooey BBQ sauce and endless topping options, this meatless sandwich is bound to curb your backyard BBQ cravings!
Make it all from scratch by whipping up this Homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce to go with it or keep it stupid simple with storebought sauce so the entire thing just requires 5 ingredients (plus whatever toppings you want to add).
Trust me, as a mom with a packed schedule and passion for gourmet food, I rely heavily on easy, efficient, and elevated 5 ingredient meals!
BBQ Tofu Sandwich Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- BBQ Sauce.
- Extra-Firm Tofu. Half of a 14-ounce pack will yield more than enough for 1 sandwich. If you’re making two or more sandwiches, double the recipe and if you have leftovers, they will keep for 3-5 days.
- Olive Oil.
- Cornstarch. To absorb excess liquid, allowing for an even crispier exterior on your tofu.
- Toppings. Whatever you fancy. I keep it simple with tomato slices and some greens.
- Bun.
BBQ Tofu Sandwich Tips and Tricks
Press Your Tofu
To avoid that infamous “spongy” texture that tofu sometimes gets a bad rap for, it’s best to drain and press your tofu.
If you don’t have a tofu press, no problem! Wrap your tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a cutting board on top. Then you have an even surface to stack something heavy on top.
This will force excess liquid out of the tofu to be soaked up by the kitchen towel.
Slice the Tofu Evenly
7 ounces of tofu should be enough for each sandwich (you may even have leftovers, depending on how tall you like to stack your sandwiches). I like to slice my tofu in 4 thick, even parts, using two thick pieces per sandwich.
You could also opt for thinner slices if you really love sauce! This will make your sauce: tofu ratio a lot saucier!
Coat Your Tofu
In order to get your tofu crispy, you’ll need both olive oil and cornstarch. These two ingredients work together to get you that perfect texture.
Regardless of how much you press your tofu, it’s likely there will still be some excess moisture. The cornstarch soaks up that excess liquid while the oil heats in the oven to essentially fry the outermost layer of the tofu.
For best results, we need an even layer of oil on each piece of tofu and just a sprinkle of cornstarch. Too much cornstarch can leave you with a bitter taste.
You can choose to toss the tofu in oil and cornstarch or you can use a pastry brush to add the olive oil to the tofu, spreading it evenly. Then, simply sprinkle the cornstarch on top.
Flip the tofu and repeat to make sure you get both sides.
Bake Until Golden
Spread your tofu out evenly on your baking sheet. You can opt to use tin foil for less clean-up, but I find the tofu tends to stick to foil more than if you just place it directly on your baking sheet.
With your oven at 400°F and with your tofu on the top rack, it should start to brown within 25-30 minutes. Flip your tofu after 15 minutes and then watch it closely after 20. We want that perfect golden brown, so we have to catch it before it burns!
Sauce it Up!
I love to use my pastry brush to generously lather the BBQ sauce on that crispy tofu. It allows for even distribution. You can also opt to toss the tofu in the sauce!
Serve it Your Way!
I kept it simple with some greens and fresh sliced tomato, but make it your own!
This sandwich pairs perfectly with these Old Bay Fries or Parmesan Truffle Fries.
How to Store and Save Tofu Sandwiches
The prepared tofu will last 3-5 days covered in the refrigerator. I sometimes just eat these leftovers cold, but you can also reheat in the oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until heated thoroughly.
This BBQ Tofu also makes for a great addition to a salad or quinoa bowl, or even just as a delicious vegan appetizer on its own.
Why You Should Make This BBQ Tofu Sandwich
- The texture. The tofu gets crispy and adds a delicious crunch to your sammy!
- The sauce. Just another excuse to smother BBQ sauce on somethin’.
- It’s better for you and the planet. ‘Nough said.
Crispy BBQ Tofu Sandwich
SAVE RECIPE TO COLLECTION PIN PRINT RATEEquipment
- Tofu Press (optional)
Ingredients
BBQ Tofu Sandwich
- 7 ounces extra-firm tofu (7 oz usually = ½ block)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 bun of choice
Optional Topping Ideas (choose your faves!)
- 2 slices fresh tomato
- 1 handful fresh spinach or arugula
- 1 piece iceberg lettuce
- 1 slice cheese (dairy or plant-based)
- ¼ cup caramelized onions and mushrooms
- 1 sliced jalapeno
- 1 sliced dill pickle
- ¼ large red onion, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Drain your tofu using a tofu press—or manually by placing it between a clean, folded kitchen towel and putting something heavy on top—for at least 5 minutes.
- Slice your tofu into 4 thick strips and press one more time with a clean towel to absorb any excess liquid.
- Use a pastry brush to coat all sides of the tofu with olive oil (or toss the tofu in olive oil).
- Sprinkle cornstarch on both sides of your tofu strips and lay them out flat on a baking sheet, making sure they are not overlapping one another.
- Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven to flip, and then bake for another 10-15 more minutes. Check on your tofu regularly. You’ll know your tofu strips are done when they start to turn golden brown.
- Remove the tofu from the oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before coating with a generous amount of BBQ Sauce.
- Assemble your sandwich by placing the BBQ tofu on the bottom half of the bun and stacking your toppings of choice on top. Add the other half of the bun and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- You can toast your bun if you prefer.
- Make sure to sprinkle the cornstarch on top of the tofu evenly. It will absorb excess liquid to make your tofu nice and crunchy, but too much can leave a bitter taste.
