Tofu Breakfast Sausage Crumbles are made with extra firm tofu and flavored with a few spices like Italian seasoning, fennel, and paprika. This easy vegan breakfast sausage packs a punch of protein and smoky, salty flavor with just seven ingredients.
Sausage from tofu?! Yep.
Tofu is so versatile. You can use it to make vegan eggs, vegan nuggets, vegan mayo, vegan ham, vegan bacon...
And vegan sausage.
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Why this recipe works
While tofu is typically very moist, so the key to making a crumble texture is baking time. A longer baking time allows the liquid in the tofu to evaporate, leaving a crumble texture that's very reminiscent of sausage crumbles.
Then, there's the flavor.
The key spice in this tofu sausage recipe is fennel. Fennel is slightly sweet with a somewhat minty flavor. And many regular sausages have fennel in the seasoning mix.
Then liquid smoke and smoked paprika add a smokiness that is often associated with meat. The result is a very flavorful sausage crumble.
Why I love this Tofu Sausage
- Dietary needs - this breakfast is vegan/plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free, and sugar-free
- Super flavorful - with the help of some key spices, like Italian seasoning, fennel, and paprika, this tofu breakfast sausage tastes a lot like regular sausage
- Super easy - just toss the tofu with the spices and then bake!
- High protein breakfast - tofu is rich in plant protein for a satiating breakfast
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Extra Firm Tofu: make sure to buy firm or extra firm tofu for these crumbles. Silken tofu will not work.
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: any of these three will work great to add that salty, umami flavor. If you are gluten-sensitive choose tamari or liquid aminos instead of soy sauce
- Italian Seasoning: many sausages (especially Italian sausage) have Italian seasoning. It's easy to buy this as a blend, however a quick homemade mix of basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme can also do the trick
- Dried Fennel Seed: fennel is what really makes the flavor of this tofu sausage. No need to grind it up, the whole seeds work perfectly in this recipe
- Smoked Paprika: I used smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor (even though there's also liquid smoke). But regular paprika will work just fine. Pro tip: authentic Hungarian paprika tastes much better than generic paprika from the store
- Liquid Smoke: liquid smoke is a liquid made from smoke (great name, right?). It adds a lovely smoky flavor and is the key to getting a savory, umami, and smoky flavor in many vegan recipes
- Cornstarch: cornstarch helps the crumbles get nice and crisp, especially since this recipe is oil-free. You can also use arrowroot powder
How to make Vegan Tofu Sausage Crumbles
Step 1. Press the tofu using a tofu press or place it under a heavy object. (This is optional, but I highly recommend pressing for at least 10 minutes.) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. In a medium bowl, use your hands to crumble tofu into small pieces.
Step 3. Add the soy sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke and toss to combine.
Step 4. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and toss again.
Step 5. Spread the tofu on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. (This seems like a lot of time, but the extended time helps to dry out the tofu, giving it a better sausage texture.) Serve and enjoy!
What to serve with Vegan Sausage
- A side of spinach
- Toast or French Toast
- Sliced Avocado
- Berries or other fresh fruit
- Sauerkraut or Kimchi
- Sweet Potato Hash Browns
- For a breakfast of champions: pancakes
FAQ & Expert Tips
Store this sausage in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. It will last for 5-7 days.
For the crispiest results when reheating, place back in the oven at 350°F or an air fryer at 300°F and heat for a few minutes until warm. Otherwise, just microwave!
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this nutritious breakfast recipe. Help this food to fuel our bodies for the day. Amen.
More Protein Breakfast Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Tofu Breakfast Sausage Crumbles
Ingredients
- 1 Block Extra Firm Tofu
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Fennel Seed
- 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- Press the tofu using a tofu press or place it under a heavy object. (This is optional, but I highly recommend pressing for at least 10 minutes.) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, use your hands to crumble tofu into small pieces.
- Add the soy sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and toss again.
- Spread the tofu on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. (This seems like a lot of time, but the extended time helps to dry out the tofu, giving it a better sausage texture.) Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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