• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Simple Sprinkle
  • Home
  • Vegan Lifestyle
    • Vegan Lifestyle Tips
    • Vegan Recipe Roundups
  • Browse Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizer
    • Desserts & Sweets
      • All Desserts & Sweets
      • Cake
      • Cookies
    • Holidays
    • Whole Foods Plant Based
  • About
  • Contact
  • Appetizer
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Is it vegan?
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • Is it vegan?
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Vegan Basics

    Tofu Meatballs (easy)

    Published: Mar 9, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. · Leave a Comment

    Easy to make tofu meatballs with less than 10 ingredients. Bake or air-fry these and serve with your favorite sauce, glaze, and sides! Or enjoy just on their own. A delicious and nutritious meat alternative.

    Jump to:
    • 💡 The recipe in a nutshell
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 👩🏽‍🍳 How to make tofu meatballs
    • 🥣 Serving ideas
    • 💭 Common questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    tofu meatballs assembled as a pyramid on a plate

    💡 The recipe in a nutshell

    • Vegan (dairy-free & no eggs)
    • Easy-to-make
    • Only 10 ingredients
    • Bake, or air-fry
    • Delicious and nutritious
    • Versatile: enjoy on their own, with your favorite sauce or glaze

    📋 Ingredients

    Tofu: use firm or extra firm, and make sure to drain and press it before using. We recommend using a tofu press, as it is mess-free and easy. However, placing the tofu in between (paper) towels and a few heavy objects on top such as pans, plates or books works too.

    Oat Flour: absorbs moisture, enhances flavor, helps bind the meatballs, and adds nutritional value!

    Flax Egg: a great vegan egg substitute made with flax seed meal to help bind the meatballs together while adding nutrients such as omega-3s. 

    Tomato Ketchup or Paste: adds color, flavor, and texture. 

    Seasonings: since tofu is fairly neutral in flavor we need to give these meatballs the right flavor. Add miso paste, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, nutritional yeast, onion, and garlic powder.

    raw tofu meatballs assembled on baking sheet

    👩🏽‍🍳 How to make tofu meatballs

    Making tofu meatballs from scratch is easy. Follow these simple steps:

    1. Drain and press tofu in advance. We recommend using a tofu press for it.
    2. Make the meatball mixture by adding all ingredients to a food processor, and pulse until well combined. (The mixture should easily form a ball when pressed together.)
    3. Shape meatballs by rolling them into your hands. Place on a baking sheet or in an air-fryer basket. Brush, or spray with oil.
    4. Bake or air-fry and enjoy on their own, with sauce, or glazed.

    You can find a detailed printable recipe at the end of this article. 

    🥣 Serving ideas

    You may ask yourself what to serve with tofu meatballs. Here are some of our favorite foods to pair them with:

    • Vegan Carbonara
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
    • Hummus Pasta Bake
    • & other Pasta Dishes
    • Hawaiian Vegan Meatball Sub
    • With Salads
    • Mashed Potato & Gravy
    • Balsamic Glaze
    • in Sticky Sauce
    • With Polenta
    tofu meatballs on whole wheat spaghetti with tomato sauce

    💭 Common questions

    How to store tofu meatballs? Store leftover meatballs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

    How to reheat tofu meatballs? Reheat tofu meatballs shortly in the oven, in a skillet or saucepan set over medium-low heat, or in the microwave. 

    Can you freeze tofu meatballs? Yes, you can freeze tofu meatballs. However, keep in mind that freezing tofu alters its texture so it may end up softer than before freezing. Store in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. Let balls thaw in the fridge before reheating.

    Can I make tofu meatballs for meal prep? Yes, absolutely! This is an awesome recipe for meal prep. Store them pre-cooking, or cooked, in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 to 5 days. Keep away from sauce when storing long term, and add shortly before eating. 

    📖 Recipe

    tofu meatballs assembled as a pyramid on a plate

    Tofu Meatballs (easy)

    Jacqui
    Easy to make tofu meatballs with less than 10 ingredients. Bake or air-fry these and serve with your favorite sauce, glaze, and sides! Or enjoy just on their own. A delicious and nutritious meat alternative.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Appetizer, Basics, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, WFPB
    Servings 20 meatballs

    Equipment

    • Food Processor
    • baking sheet and parchment

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 package of of extra-firm Tofu, drained and pressed
    • ½ cup oat flour
    • 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flax meal + 2 tablespoon water)
    • 2 tablespoon ketchup, or tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoon miso paste
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning mix
    • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
    • 1 tsp of each onion and garlic powder (you can add more and/or different seasonings if wished)

    Instructions
     

    • Drain and press tofu for at least 30 minutes, best overnight. In a small bow prepare a flax egg, by mixing ground flax and water. Set aside and let thicken for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • Crumble tofu into a food processor, and pulse a couple of times. Then add all other ingredients, including flax egg, and pulse until combined and a thick paste has formed.
    • Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out a ball. Wet your hands with cold water and shape them into a ball. Continue until no paste remains. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet, or in the basket/tray of an air fryer. Brush or spray lightly with oil.
    • Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes at 400°F/205°C, or air fry for 20 minutes (flipping halfway through) at 425°F/220°C, until golden brunt and slightly crispy. 

    Video

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Jacqui Wormington 🌱 (@thesimplesprinkle)

    Keyword tofu meatballs, vegan meatballs
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • Link

    PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.

    Pin3
    Share
    Tweet
    3 Shares

    More Vegan Basics

    • 4 ingredient artichoke dip served in a pan
      4 Ingredient Artichoke Dip
    • vegan whole wheat burger buns
      Whole Wheat Burger Buns
    • closeup of balsamic sauteed mushrooms
      Balsamic Sautéed Mushrooms
    • vegan chiptle sauce in a small bowl, a spoon spooning sauce
      Vegan Chipotle Sauce

    All Categories

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    about jacqui
    image of oatmeal with text saying how to be vegan on a budget

    Popular

    • dairy free vegan quark
      How To Make Vegan Quark
    • vegan german currywurst recipe
      The Best Vegan Currywurst
    • air fryer tofu katsu vegan and gluten free
      Crunchy Air-Fryer Tofu Katsu (vegan)
    • Vegan German Cherry Streusel Cake
      Quick German Cherry Streusel Cake (vegan)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright Notice
    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    The articles you are reading on this Website may contain affiliate links and/or products submitted for editorial consideration. To find out more visit our Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy Page.

    Copyright © 2020 - 2022 The Simple Sprinkle LLC