These easy Asian Tofu Meatballs are flavored with savory ingredients and a sticky sweet and spicy glaze. Eat as an appetizer or over rice.
These Asian Tofu Meatballs are the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
They can be eaten as an appetizer or as the main course. Serve them over rice with some roasted veggies and mushrooms.
They would go great with some Vegan Fried Rice or a Frozen Vegetable Stir Fry with Zucchini Noodles.
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Best Tofu to Use?
For this recipe I used extra firm tofu to make the tofu balls because I wanted the balls to stick together.
You could use firm tofu as well. The firmer the tofu, the better the vegan meatballs will stick together.
If you use firm tofu, you may need to refrigerate after mixing so the mixture holds together when forming balls.
Can I Use Corn Starch?
Yes, you could use corn starch instead of tapioca flour. According to the research I did online, you'll need ½ the amount shown for tapioca flour when making the substitution.
I have developed a corn intolerance since starting the website so I have not tested this recipe with corn starch.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Asian Tofu Meatballs
- Onions: Adds a sweet, savory, pungent flavor.
- Olive oil: To cook the onions in.
- Tofu: I used extra firm tofu. You could also use firm tofu.
- Rolled oats: Enhances flavors.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Ginger: Adds a spicy flavor.
- Green onions: For garnish. You could also use fresh cilantro.
- Tamari: adds an umami flavor. I used low sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You can also use regular tamari or soy sauce.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor.
Sweet and Spicy Glaze
- Tapioca flour: Thickens the glaze. You could also use corn starch or arrowroot flour.
- Water: Thins the glaze.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds a sweet and spicy flavor.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You could also use agave syrup, brown sugar, brown rice syrup or your favorite sweetener.
- Tamari: Adds an umami flavor. I used low sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You can also use regular tamari or soy sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor. You could also use brown rice vinegar.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Ginger: Adds a spicy flavor.
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🔪 Instructions
- Tofu Meatballs: Mix all ingredients in a food processor.
- Form balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake until golden brown.
- Glaze: Mix water and tapioca flour. Set aside
- Heat the rest of the sauce ingredients in a pan for 2 minutes.
- Add tapioca flour mixture and cook a couple of minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve with veggies over rice, rice noodles, or eat as an appetizer. Top with chopped green onions.
🥡 Storage
These vegan meatballs will last up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
🍽 Serving
- As an appetizer with toothpicks
- In a rice bowl
- With mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, red pepper
- Topped with green onion, sesame seeds, or cilantro
- Over rice noodles or another pasta
- In hoagie rolls
- Over quinoa
- Over cauliflower rice
*Don't forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating.
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📋 Recipe
Asian Tofu Meatballs
Ingredients
Asian Tofu Meatballs
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces extra firm tofu drained
- 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped green onions (optional)
Sweet and Spicy Glaze
- 2 teaspoons tapioca flour
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
Instructions
Asian Tofu Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add chopped onions. Cook until translucent.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor. Form balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
Sweet and Spicy Glaze
- Mix water with tapioca flour. Whisk until dissolved. Set aside.
- Heat all of the ingredients for 2 minutes (except tapioca flour and water mixture).
- Add tapioca flour and water mixture. Simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Serve with veggies over rice, rice noodles, or eat as an appetizer. Top with chopped green onions.
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
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