Simple Vegan Crumbled Tofu Sausage Recipe (Extra Crispy)

Store-bought plant-based sausage alternatives are tasty, but they can also be quite expensive and often come with a long list of processed ingredients.

This homemade tofu crumbled ‘sausage’ recipe will save you money, bring you amazing health benefits and a lot of delicious flavour.

These tofu sausage crumbles can be baked either in the air fryer or the oven, are vegan, and can easily be made gluten-free. The main ingredient used is extra-firm tofu, along with a few staple spices and optional add-ins.

The result is a tofu crumble with a savoury, smoky, sausage-like flavour, with each bite delivering a mix of chewy and crispy textures.

Serve these tofu sausage crumbles as part of your breakfast, stuff them into your tacos, or sprinkle them over your pasta or salad. There are endless ways to enjoy this vegan, protein-filled recipe.

There is also no tofu pressing required in this recipe! And you likely have all the ingredients for this tofu sausage recipe in your pantry.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Extra-firm tofu. This will give your tofu sausage crumbles the best texture. If using firm tofu, make sure to press the tofu before crumbling to remove excess water. Silken or soft tofu will NOT work for this recipe.

• Light soy sauce. This adds umami and salty flavour. If making this recipe gluten-free, swap for tamari.

• Smoked paprika. To give our sausage crumbles that smoky sausage-like taste.

• Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and ground pepper. To boost overall flavour.

Optional add ins:

• Liquid smoke. To make the tofu sausage even smokier.
• Breadcrumbs. For an additional layer of crispy texture.
• Oil. To make the crumbles crispier.

How to make crumbled tofu ‘sausage’

1. Drain and pat dry the block of tofu, then crumble it with your hands over a bowl until it resembles sausage crumbles. TIP: For a chewier texture, leave the crumbles fairly large. For a crispier texture, crumble the tofu into smaller pieces.
2. Add the soy sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (and breadcrumbs and liquid smoke if using). Stir the crumbed tofu with a spoon until everything is evenly distributed.
3. OVEN METHOD
4. Preheat the oven to 200 C. Spread the crumbled tofu onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden-brown and crisped to your liking.
6. AIR FRYER METHOD
7. Spread the crumbled tofu onto the lined air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Don’t overcrowd the basket (cook in batches if necessary).
8. Air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden-brown and crisped to your liking.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Budget-friendly recipe. Compared to store-bought plant-based products, this recipe won’t break the bank!

• Perfect for meal prepping. These tofu sausage crumbles are a great recipe to make ahead and add to your dishes for an extra protein boost throughout the week.

• Easy to make. This recipe is super simple to follow – the ‘hardest’ part is crumbling up the tofu. You really can’t mess these up.

• Air fryer and oven bake friendly. You can bake your tofu sausage using either method. Totally up to you.

• Customizable flavours. While this recipe has a smoky, savoury taste, you can make your tofu sausage crumble spicier with cayenne, or turn this into a breakfast sausage flavour by adding herbs such as fennel, sage, and thyme.

Health benefits of tofu

This crumbled tofu sausage recipe not only tastes great, but makes you FEEL great, since tofu has plenty of amazing benefits. Here are a few of them:

• Builds and repairs muscle. Tofu is a source of complete protein, which is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue. One 100-gram serve of extra-firm tofu has around 15 grams of protein!

• Improves heart health. Eating tofu can lower blood pressure and even lower the risk of heart disease.

• Keeps our bones strong. Tofu is rich in calcium, and calcium is the pillar of building and maintaining healthy bones.

• Provides our bodies with vitamins and minerals. Tofu is full of nutrients like vitamin A, calcium, and iron, which are essential for our health and well-being.

Tips for success

• Use extra-firm tofu. This allows your sausage crumbles to hold up when baking, and you won’t need to press the block first. If firm tofu is all you have on hand, press it for 20 minutes before using. Soft or silken WILL NOT work for this recipe!

• Spread the tofu crumbles evenly when baking/air-frying. This allows the tofu to cook evenly and helps it get nice and crispy.

• If air-frying, don’t overcrowd the basket. This will stop them from crisping up. Air fry in batches if necessary.

• Crumble the tofu with your preferred texture in mind. Larger crumbles = chewier texture. Smaller crumbles = crispier texture.
  

Serving suggestions

These tofu sausage crumbles are incredibly versatile! Here are a few fun ways to enjoy them:

• Pizza, pasta, or salad topping
• Added as a protein source in a grain bowl
• Added to sandwiches or wraps (like these keto spinach wraps)
• Serve it alongside your breakfast
• As a meat substitute in tacos, lasagna, etc.

Simple Vegan Tofu Sausage Crumble Recipe

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 block extra-firm tofu around 400 grams
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free substitute
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs optional
• 2-3 drops liquid smoke optional

Method

 

1. Drain and pat dry the block of tofu, then crumble it with your hands over a bowl until it resembles sausage crumbles.*
2. Add the soy sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (and breadcrumbs and liquid smoke if using). Stir the crumbed tofu with a spoon until everything is evenly distributed.
3. OVEN METHOD:

   Preheat the oven to 200 C. Spread the crumbled tofu onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer.

   Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden-brown and crisped to your liking.
4. AIR FRYER METHOD:

   Spread the crumbled tofu onto the lined air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Don't overcrowd the basket (cook in batches if necessary).

   Air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden-brown and crisped to your liking.

Notes

*For a chewier texture, leave the crumbles fairly large. For a crispier texture, crumble the tofu into smaller pieces.

 

Nutrition based on 1 out of 3 servings:

 

Calories: 96 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Dietary Fiber 1.2 g | Total Fat: 5.6 g | Saturated Fat: 1.2 g | Carbohydrates: 7.2 g | Iron: 2 mg