• 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
    • Vegan Breakfast Recipes
    • Vegan Appetizer Recipes
    • Vegan Dessert Recipes
      • All Desserts & Sweets
      • Vegan Cake Recipes
      • Vegan Cookie Recipes
    • Holidays
    • Whole Foods Plant-Based Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Vegan Appetizer Recipes
  • Vegan Lunch Recipes
  • Vegan Dinner Recipes
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle tips
  • Is it vegan?
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle tips
    • Is it vegan?
    • Newsletter
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Tofu Recipes

    Tofu Meatballs (easy)

    Published: Mar 9, 2023 · Updated: Sep 28, 2023 by Jacqui Wormington · This post may contain affiliate links. · Leave a Comment

    95 shares

    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
    • 💬 Reviews
    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 Wormington
    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.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes 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 extra-firm Tofu, drained and pressed
    • ½ cup oat flour
    • 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flax meal + 2 tablespoon water)
    • 2 tablespoons ketchup, or tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons miso paste
    • 1 tablespoons dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoons Italian seasoning mix
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 1 teaspoon 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)

    The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment & tag @thesimplesprinkle on Instagram

    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.

    More Tofu Recipes

    • Tahu Gejrot served on a plate. A Tofu piece is being grabbed by chopsticks. It is bitten into showing the fluffy texture inside.
      Tahu Gejrot - Sweet Chili Tofu
    • Puffed tofu cubes served on a plate.
      Puffed Tofu
    • Tofu steak served on a plate, topped with sesame seeds and scallions.
      Easy Tofu Steak
    • Closeup of Chipotle Sofritas made out of tofu in a pan topped with cilantro.
      Chipotle Sofritas Vegan
    95 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Portrait image of Jacqui Wormington, founder of The Simple Sprinkle.

    Hey there, I am Jacqui! I'm a self-taught vegan recipe developer, content creator and food photographer. My goal? To make veganism easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! With my drool-worthy recipes and savvy tips, I'll prove that going plant-based doesn't mean giving up your favorite meals.

    About Jacqui→

    Featured On

    Veganuary Logo
    Vegan Bowls Logo
    Good Things Utah - ABC4 Logo

    Popular

    • vegan german currywurst recipe
      The Best Vegan Currywurst
    • dairy free vegan quark
      How To Make Vegan Quark
    • 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)
    • crispy shredded tofu served in a frying pan
      Easy Shredded Tofu
    • vegan miso chocolate chip cookie being bit into
      Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Vegan Summer Recipes

    • Ghost pizza for Halloween.
      Ghost Pizza for Halloween
    • Eggless pumpkin pie featured
      Eggless Pumpkin Pie with Flaky Crust (vegan)
    • kakao mit schuss vegan german hot chocolate
      German Hot Chocolate — Kakao Mit Schuss (vegan)
    • vegan krautstrudel cut in slices
      German Krautstrudel (Cabbage Strudel)
    • whole wheat apple ginger snaps fantastic mr fox vegan
      Whole Wheat Ginger Apple Snaps (vegan)
    • Hasselback Apple with Crumble topped with vegan ice cream and Katjes gummies.
      Hasselback Apples with Crumble

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    ABOUT

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Accessibility
    • Copyright Notice
    • Opt-Out Preferences

    RESOURCES

    • 7 Reasons To Go Vegan
    • Vegan Beginner Guide
    • How To Be Vegan On A Budget

    CONNECT

    • Contact Page
    • Work With Me
    • Newsletter

    AT NO COST TO YOU, I MAY EARN FROM QUALIFIED PURCHASES MADE THROUGH AFFILIATE LINKS ON MY WEBSITE.

    Copyright © 2020 - 2023 The Simple Sprinkle LLC

    Manage Cookie Consent
    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}