Hawaiian BBQ Tofu
This sweet and saucy Hawaiian BBQ Tofu is the perfect fusion of tropical vibes and classic smoky BBQ flavours! It’s delicious in a sandwich or as a high-protein side dish.
Jump to RecipeWatch how to make this Hawaiian BBQ Tofu on my YouTube channel!
Ingredients & Inspiration
One of the things many plant-eaters say they miss eating when first adopting a plant-based diet is, not shockingly, meat. It’s totally normal to still crave your favourite comfort meals and nostalgic recipes, while still choosing to not eat meat. Luckily, one of the best and healthiest plant-based proteins, tofu, can be easily transformed to copycat some of your favourite meaty meals!
This Hawaiian BBQ Tofu has the perfect shredded meat-like texture, much like pulled pork, beef brisket or shredded chicken breast, depending on how you season it, of course! In this recipe, we’re serving up shredded tofu in sweet, tangy, pineapple-infused BBQ sauce with hints of malty, smoky goodness.
Here’s what you need to make this EPIC tofu recipe:
- extra firm tofu: offers the ‘meatiest’ texture and crisps up beautifully in the air fryer
- pineapple juice: for the tropical Hawaiian vibes
- coconut sugar: for caramel-like sweetness
- lemon juice: for a touch of tang
- tomato paste: the rich base of our BBQ sauce
- smoked paprika: gives the classic BBQ smokiness and a touch of heat
How to Make Hawaiian BBQ Tofu
This recipe for Hawaiian BBQ Tofu is essentially a 2-step dance: shred and air fry the tofu and heat through the BBQ sauce.
- Shred the block of tofu with a box grater on the largest hole side. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt. Transfer to an air fryer basket and air fry for 16 to 17 minutes at 400°F, tossing halfway through cook time, until slightly golden and crisped, but still have some flexibility and softness.
- Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients in a small skillet until the coconut sugar has dissolved. Turn heat on to medium-low and bring to a steamy, light simmer, warming through for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly and darken in colour.
- After 10 minutes, combine the cornstarch and water in a small glass and pour into the sauce, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly. Turn heat to low and add the crisped tofu shreds into the sauce, stirring to combine.
- Allow the sauce to thicken slightly and absorb into the tofu a bit for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot in a bun or sandwich, enjoy as a side dish or on it’s own!
Aloha-licious
When you’re low on ingredients and inspiration but high in hunger, this Hawaiian BBQ Tofu will always come in handy! Just 20 minutes is all you need to have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy, and one that the whole family will love.
If you enjoyed this recipe you might also like my Sesame Ginger Tofu, BBQ Veggies & Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner, or my Korean Rice Balls (Jumeokbap)! I also have an entire Hawaiian Vegan Meal Prep blog for you to check out!
Lastly, if you made any of these recipes and decide to share them on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @SteamyVegan and use hashtag #SteamyVegan! I seriously love seeing what you’re cooking up! Plus make sure to check me out on YouTube — I have HUNDREDS of videos to give you limitless plant-based inspiration!
Hawaiian BBQ Tofu
Ingredients
Method
- Shred the block of tofu with a box grater on the largest hole side. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt. Transfer to an air fryer basket and air fry for 16 to 17 minutes at 400F, tossing halfway through cook time, until slightly golden and crisped, but still have some flexibility and softness.
- Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients in a small skillet until the coconut sugar has dissolved. Turn heat on to medium-low and bring to a steamy, light simmer, warming through for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly and darken in colour.
- After 10 minutes, combine the cornstarch and water in a small glass and pour into the sauce, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly. Turn heat to low and add the crisped tofu shreds into the sauce, stirring to combine.
- Allow the sauce to thicken slightly and absorb into the tofu a bit for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot in a bun or sandwich, enjoy as a side dish or on it’s own!
