These gorgeously juicy and flavoursome tofu skewers feature firm tofu, sweet cherry tomatoes, earthy courgettes and charred peppers in a smoky-sweet marinade.
The impossibly moreish skewers are delightfully easy to make and they cook happily on a single tray, so not only is there very little washing up, they're also a "set and forget" option for your next get together.
Best of all, since they’re baked in the oven, you can still enjoy these bright and tasty skewers even if the weather isn’t playing nice.
The prep work for these tofu skewers is a breeze. You'll start by chopping the peppers, courgettes and tofu into approx 1 inch (2.5cm) square pieces so that they're about the same size as the whole cherry tomatoes, then push them onto skewers.
For the marinade, you'll simply mix melted butter with oregano, garlic, paprika, tomato puree, lemon juice and honey and brush it all over the vegetable tofu skewers.
Into a nice hot oven and they'll be ready to serve in 30 minutes! Here's the full recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp slightly salted butter melted
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 lemon juice (approx 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp honey
- Pinch salt and black pepper
- 560 g (20 oz) extra firm tofu 2 blocks
- 18 fresh cherry tomatoes
- 2 courgette (zucchini)
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
Equipment
- 18 Small wooden skewers
- Large nonstick baking tray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220C (200C).
Put the oregano, paprika, tomato puree, garlic, lemon juice, honey, melted butter, salt and pepper into a small bowl.
Whisk together.
Chop all the vegetables and tofu into approx 1 inch (2.5cm) square pieces. Leave the tomatoes whole.
Push the veg onto skewers, alternating between items to create varied skewers. Lay them on a baking sheet.
Brush generously with the marinade, turning the skewers to reach all sides.
Place the whole tray in the oven for 30 minutes until just starting to look a little charred.
Your gorgeous tofu skewers are now ready to serve.
Enjoy!
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect tofu skewers
Is it easy to make tofu skewers?
These tofu skewers are so easy to make. All you need to do is chop up some veggies and tofu, push them onto skewers, and smother in a simple one step marinade before baking in the oven. They're perfect for when you feel in the mood for a barbecue but the weather isn't quite up to it.
The marinade only takes a few minutes to make with ingredients you probably already have in the cupboard. It really packs in the flavour and makes these tofu skewers sing.
Will I need any special equipment for these tofu skewers?
Everything you need should be easy to find in most kitchens as this is a pretty straightforward recipe.
You'll need a chopping board and knife to prepare the veggies and tofu. Most importantly, you'll need skewers to hold the veg. I've used fairly short wooden ones, but you can use metal reusable ones if you like, just remember they will get really hot in the oven so be careful. You might want to release the veggies and tofu into bowls to serve if the metal is staying hot for too long.
To make the marinade, you'll need a small bowl, measuring spoons, and a whisk or fork.
There is a full list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below.
Where can I buy firm tofu?
Firm tofu can usually be found in the chilled aisle of the supermarket, in health food stores or online. Another good place to find a variety of tofu is in Asian supermarkets.
Make sure your tofu says firm or, ideally, extra firm on it. Cauldron firm tofu comes in a plastic tray with a film lid and will work. My preference is The Tofoo Co because it's extra firm and so really easy to work with.
Generally I go for a a plain version for this recipe. Smoked tofu works too but it can overpower the marinade flavours a bit.
Don't try to use silken tofu as this very different and will just disintegrate if you tried to skewer it!
Are tofu skewers suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat, poultry or fish products. The marinade is made using dairy butter and honey.
Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable for vegetarians. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve with your tofu skewers.
Are tofu skewers suitable for vegans?
If the recipe is followed to the letter then these tofu skewers won't be vegan as the marinade is made with dairy butter and honey.
I haven't tested this recipe with vegan alternatives yet but it should be pretty easy to do.
- Instead of the dairy butter, use olive oil or plant-based butter. If using a plant butter, choose one with a high fat content of around 80% so that it behaves like butter and doesn't make the marinade too wet.
- Replace the honey with agave syrup. Add a bit less than a tablespoon of agave as it tastes sweeter than honey and you don't want to overpower the other flavours. You could just leave the syrup out entirely, but it helps thicken the marinade as well as balancing the flavours beautifully.
Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable for vegans. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the tofu skewers with.
Are tofu skewers gluten-free?
This recipe doesn't contain any wheat based products so is naturally gluten free.
Whenever cooking for someone with a gluten allergy, always double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are gluten-free - it can appear in the most unexpected places. And don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the tofu skewers with.
Are tofu skewers keto-friendly?
Each skewer contains about 5g of carbohydrates, so it depends on your overall day-to-day diet. You could make these skewers a little more keto-friendly by leaving out the honey from the marinade but this will affect the flavour.
Are tofu skewers healthy?
This is a great recipe to enjoy as part of a balanced healthy diet. These skewers are packed with different veggies and tofu which is a great source of plant protein.
Check out the recipe card below for more detailed nutritional information, all figures are estimates based on publicly available data.
Are tofu skewers safe to eat while pregnant?
There's nothing in these tofu skewers that would usually pose a risk if eaten during pregnancy.
Make sure all the ingredients are in good condition and the skewers are prepared safely and hygienically.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.
Are tofu skewers suitable for babies and toddlers?
With a few tweaks to the recipe, it can be enjoyed by the whole family.
First, make sure to remove the skewers before serving to little ones, and cut the veg into smaller pieces. Always give food at an appropriate size and shape for your baby or child and cut small, round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces.
You may need to leave the honey out of the marinade, depending on the age of your child. The NHS advises not giving sugar to babies and young children, and babies under 1 year should avoid honey entirely as it may contain harmful bacteria.
If you are making this for young children or babies, the NHS also advises that you leave out the salt. This would also mean opting for unsalted butter in the marinade. You may also wish to leave out the paprika, depending on how accustomed to spice your little one already is.
Always keep babies supported upright while eating and supervise your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.
A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional.
The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.
What goes well with these tofu skewers?
These tofu skewers are so adaptable and work well with so many different things. If you want the skewers to be the star of the show, serve with a salad or why not try this crunchy coleslaw or these sweet potato chips.
My tofu skewers are also perfect as part of a barbecue, or why not turn them into taco fillings with fresh salad and avocado?
Can I make tofu skewers dairy-free?
These tofu skewers can easily be made dairy-free. Simply replace the butter with a vegan alternative. Olive oil would work, as would a melted plant-based butter (ideally around 80% fat).
I haven’t got tofu, can I use veggie sausages?
I haven't tested this recipe with veggie sausages but in theory, it should work. Some veggie sausages can be a bit crumbly so find ones with a stable casing and filling so that they don't just fall off the skewers.
Quorn sausages are pretty stable when sliced, you could even try using their little cocktail sausages.
You can, of course, just make these skewers with veggies, if you like.
Can I add extra spice to this recipe?
I've kept this recipe quite mild on the spice front to please everyone's palettes. If you like things a little hotter, then go right ahead and add some more heat.
The easiest way to spice things up would be to add some chilli powder or crushed chilli flakes to the marinade. 1/2-1 teaspoon should suffice, depending on how hot your chilli is.
If you're catering for a variety of palates, you could also serve these tofu skewers with extra chilli sauce so that people can add it themselves if they want a more fiery tofu skewer.
How should I store these tofu skewers, how long will they keep?
If you have any leftover skewers, they'll need to be cooled and then stored in the fridge. Put them into a sealed container or cover well on a plate and get them into the fridge within no more than 90 minutes.
Properly stored, these skewers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.
If they've been outside in the baking sun, any leftovers are best discarded.
Can I leave these tofu skewers out on the counter?
These skewers will be ok on the counter for a little while if you're serving them as part of a big barbecue spread, but don't leave them out for more than an hour and a half in total as they will no longer be safe to eat due to the risk of bacteria spreading on the food.
Can I make these tofu skewers ahead?
You can prep the skewers earlier in the day, if you like, and store them covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook. I wouldn't recommend making them any further than 12 hours in advance or so as the tofu and veggies will dry out.
These skewers are also really tasty cold so you could make and bake them ahead, cool them and get them into the fridge, then serve cold the next day.
Can I keep tofu skewers in the refrigerator?
Yes, whether they've been made ahead, or you're storing leftovers, these tofu skewers need to be kept in the fridge.
Keep them in a sealed container or covered on a plate and make sure you get them cooled and into the fridge within 90 minutes of making.
Can I freeze leftover tofu skewers?
I haven't tried freezing these skewers yet. The veggies may soften and I have had mixed results freezing tofu. Give it a try if you like and let me know the results.
Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to four days and these skewers are also great cold, so would be perfect for lunches too or folded into pasta. As such, it might be best to just try and use them up rather than freezing.
What is the best way to reheat these tofu skewers?
For speed, the best way would be to microwave these skewers but the veggies might go a bit soggy. Note, if you have used metal skewers these can not be microwaved.
If you have time, the better option would be to reheat in the oven. Preheat to 180C/350F (160C fan) pop your skewers on a tray and cover with foil. Warm through in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Check the food is piping hot before serving.
Can I make tofu skewers in a different quantity?
Yes, of course. It's easy to make this recipe in a different quantity.
There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how much to make. Obviously, the length of your skewers will determine how big they are. The skewers I used are quite small, and this recipe makes 18 skewers in total, about 3-4 per person depending on what else you are serving with them.
To make more or less of this recipe, scroll down and look for the recipe card below. You'll see the number of skewers is indicated near the top left. To change this to the number you want to make, just click on it or hover over it (depending on your device) and a little slider will pop up. You can now move the slider up or down to get the number of servings you want to make.
All the ingredient quantities will update automatically for you so that everything is in the right ratios.
Can I make this recipe in a different tin/tray, or without the skewers?
I haven't tested this recipe as a traybake/sheetpan meal, but if you don't have any skewers then you could just coat the veggies and tofu in the marinade and bake them on a tray.
Make sure to keep the veg in a single layer, and don't overcrowd the oven tray as the veg will steam rather than bake.
Can I make these tofu skewers in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
The marinade only calls for a light, brief whisk to bring everything together, plus the quantities are too small to fill a freestanding mixer bowl so it's best to stick to a hand whisk for this one.
Can I make these tofu skewers with a food processor?
If you have a mini food processor or small blender then you could use it to make the marinade. You can just roughly chop the garlic and let the blender do the rest of the work, whizzing with all the other marinade ingredients.
Don't use a food processor to chop your vegetables or tofu as you want them in nice evenly sized 25.cm (1 inch) pieces.
Can I cook these skewers on the barbeque?
Yes, if the weather allows you can of course cook these on the barbecue. If you are using wooden skewers it's a good idea to soak them in water before adding the veg and tofu. This helps them not burn so quickly.
Can I cook tofu skewers under the grill (broiler)?
Personally, I find it easier to just cook these skewers in the oven as that allows them to cook all the way through.
However, if you prefer a charred outside with a bit of crunch inside, you could do them under the grill (broiler). Just make sure to keep a close eye on them and turn them at least once of twice throughout the cooking time.
How can I make sure these tofu skewers are perfectly cooked?
With just a few simple steps, you can make these tasty tofu skewers perfectly.
Firstly, preheat the oven. We want the oven nice and hot to give you that fresh-off-the-barbecue finish to your skewers. If you like you can soak the skewers in water before you start, this helps stop them from burning in the oven.
Gather all the ingredients for the marinade. You'll need to finely chop or mince the garlic in order to release the flavour. You could use a garlic press or fine grater if that's easier for you. Whisk all the herbs and spices with the melted butter, honey and tomato puree ready to spread on the skewers.
When you open the tofu, full drain it and then pat it dry with a kitchen towel to get rid of any excess surface moisture. Some people like to press their tofu by placing it on an absorbent surface and placing a weight on top, but it isn't absolutely necessary with firm tofu and definitely isn't required with extra firm tofu, which is already well pressed.
Chop the veg and tofu into about 2.5cm (1 inch) pieces, about the same size as your cherry tomatoes. Assemble the skewers by poking the veg and tofu onto them, alternating to give a good range of veggies on each skewer.
Once the skewers are complete, pop them onto one or two nonstick oven trays. Non stick is important as otherwise you may find your tofu won't lift off the tray after cooking. Generously brush the marinade over them, turning the skewers as you go so all sides are well coated.
Now the skewers are ready to go into the oven. Cook for about 30 minutes until they are slightly charred. If they don't look fully cooked at 30 minutes, you can really push it as far as you like as long as they're not burning.
Serve your skewers immediately with a fresh salad or crunchy coleslaw. Make sure people are aware they will be hot, including the skewers themselves.
When serving to young children remove the skewers for them, and cut any veg into manageable size pieces, appropriate for their age.
Why did my tofu skewers turn out dry and burnt?
For these tofu skewers, we want a bit of a charred finish to give them that fresh off the barbecue vibe, so don't worry if they catch a little around the edges, they'll still taste great. Check out the photos of my finished skewers so you know what to aim for.
To create this charred finish, we need to cook the skewers in a pretty hot oven, so you probably want to start checking your skewers after 20 minutes, and perhaps turn them over.
You can keep an eye on the skewers through the oven door to avoid repeatedly letting the heat out, then take them out when they look done.
Why did my tofu skewers fall apart?
These skewers can be a bit delicate, especially if they were cooked in a cooler oven as the vegetables may soften rather than having the skin crisp up, barbecue style.
It might also be that the veggies were too small for the skewers, or cut in uneven shapes. When you're cutting the vegetables up, try to keep the pieces quite chunky, and cube the tofu into 2.5cm (1inch) squares.
You might also lose some veg if they’re placed too close to the sides. When it comes to skewering, pierce through the cherry tomatoes where the stalk was attached so that your aim is aligned to go right through the middle. For the courgette, make sure to start by going through the skin as this will have more grip, rather than just going through the flesh. For the peppers and tofu, just aim to keep dead centre.
How can I add/change the flavours on these tofu skewers?
The easiest way to change the flavours on these skewers is to use different vegetables. Have a look in the fridge and see what combinations you can make.
Things like small mushrooms work well, as do pieces of red onion or chunks of corn on the cob, you could even try cubes of butternut squash or aubergine, if you like.
You could try using smoked or pre-marinated tofu to add another layer of flavour, as long as it compliments the marinade you're making and doesn't overwhelm it.
Your smoky-sweet marinade can be adapted too. Play around with the herbs and spices, adding some extra chilli if you like things a bit spicier.
Print this tofu skewers recipe
Tofu Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp slightly salted butter melted
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 lemon juice (approx 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp honey
- Pinch salt and black pepper
- 560 g (20 oz) extra firm tofu 2 blocks
- 18 fresh cherry tomatoes
- 2 courgette (zucchini)
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
Equipment
- 18 Small wooden skewers
- Large nonstick baking tray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C (200C fan / 430F).
- Put the oregano, paprika, tomato puree, garlic, lemon juice, honey, melted butter, salt and pepper into a small bowl. Whisk together.
- Chop all the vegetables and tofu into approx 1 inch (2.5cm) square pieces. Leave the tomatoes whole.
- Push the veg onto skewers, alternating between items to create varied skewers. Lay them on a baking sheet.
- Brush generously with the marinade, turning the skewers to reach all sides.
- Place the whole tray in the oven for 30 minutes until just starting to look a little charred.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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