Smoky, flavourful tofu hot dogs with a great bite. They are vegan and gluten-free, with no vital wheat gluten. Perfect for meal prep and BBQ season.
There’s something about hot dogs that scream warmer weather, and these vegan tofu dogs are a must-try the next time you fire up the grill.
Inspired by my seitan vegan hot dogs, but this time, they’re gluten-free as requested by my gluten-free readers.
Jump to:
Ingredients + Substitutions
Here’s everything you’ll need for these delicious vegan gluten free hot dogs.
- Tofu: Use extra-firm tofu, preferably a block that has been frozen and then thawed. Press your tofu to remove excess moisture for the best taste and texture.
- Tamari: For flavour and salt, but if you are watching your sodium you may use low-sodium Tamari. If you don’t require a gluten-free dog, you may use soy sauce instead.
- Liquid smoke: For smoky flavour and highly recommended.
- Spices: A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and poultry seasoning makes a fantastic flavour combination for this vegan hot dog recipe.
- Brown rice flour: To firm up the hot dogs and improve its texture.
Instructions
(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Add everything except the flour to your food processor and blend until combined. (photo 1)
Then add the flour, starting with 4 tablespoons, adding more if needed. (photo 2)
NOTE: You want a slightly softer than Play-Doh consistency, so start with less flour and add more only if needed. The flour required will vary according to how long you’ve pressed your tofu, and if you’re using thawed from frozen.
Shape the mixture into 4 logs and wrap tightly with parchment paper and aluminum foil. Then bake. (photo 3)
Remove from the oven, let rest a few minutes, and then grill the veggie dogs for a few mins on each side. (photo 4)
Serve in hot dog buns with all your favourite hot dog toppings.
Variations + Hot Dog Toppings
- The basics like ketchup, mustard, mayo, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce or relish.
- Make it fancy and top with homemade tomato salsa, mango habanero salsa, or pineapple pico de Gallo.
- Candied pecan “bacon”, coleslaw, sauerkraut, pickled onions or jalapenos.
- For spicy tofu hot dogs add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, black pepper, or red pepper flakes.
Or try these seitan vegan hotdogs made using gluten flour for an ultra-chewy dog.
Equipment
I use this Cuisinart food processor but you may also use a blender to process the tofu mixture. However, I prefer a food processor for the ease of transferring the dough mixture.
Storage
If you’re working in advance, you may refrigerate these tofu dogs for 2-3 days before grilling them. The texture is even better after refrigerating overnight, so if possible, work ahead.
Keep your baked tofu dogs wrapped in their parchment paper and foil or transfer to an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- There is no added salt since I’m using Tamari which I find salty enough. However, you may add salt to your taste if needed.
- You want a slightly softer than Play-Doh consistency, so start with less flour and add more only if needed. The flour required will vary according to how long you’ve pressed your tofu, and if you’re using thawed from frozen.
- If you don’t like having foil touch your food (like me), use parchment paper between the tofu hot dogs and aluminum foil layer.
More delicious vegan summer food
If you tried this recipe, please let me know in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to see more delicious food.
Buon appetito
Rosa
📖 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 340 grams (12 ounce) block extra firm tofu choose organic tofu that's GMO-free if possible
- 2 tablespoons Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 4-6 tablespoons brown rice flour as needed
Instructions
- If working ahead, freeze your tofu and thaw it before pressing. If not, just press to remove as much excess moisture as possible for the best texture.
Press the tofu (quick press method)
- Cut your tofu into cubes. Then arrange some paper towels or a clean dish towel on a cutting board and place the cubes in a single layer on top. Add another clean towel on top, followed by another cutting board, flat plate or baking sheet. Finally, place something very heavy on top like a cast iron skillet or heavy books. Press like this for 15 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
Prepare the tofu hot dogs
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/176℃ and grab a small baking tray. (No need to line it.)
- Add the pressed tofu and everything else except the flour to your food processor. Process until combined. Then add 4 tablespoons of flour and pulse until combined. Check the consistency of your mixture, you want it slightly softer than Play-Doh. If it's very soft/wet, add the remaining flour and pulse again.
- Decide if you're making 4 jumbo dogs or 8 smaller weiners. (Photographed are jumbo dogs.) Then cut 4 or 8 square sheets of parchment paper and aluminum foil, accordingly.
- Divide your dough into 4 or 8 portions and place each on a parchment paper square with the aluminum foil below it. If you want perfectly portioned tofu dogs, use a kitchen scale, otherwise eyeball it.
- Use your hands to shape the dough into a hot dog/log shape, and then snugly wrap it in the parchment and foil, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper. Place each wrapped dog on your baking tray and bake.
Baking Instructions
- For 4 jumbo dogs bake them for 40 minutes, then flip and continue baking another 30-40 minutes until firm to the touch.For 8 smaller tofu dogs bake for 30 minutes, then flip and continue baking for another 20-30 minutes until firm to the touch.Remove from the oven, unwrap and let them rest for 5 minutes before grilling or serving. (If working ahead, you may leave them wrapped and refrigerate overnight.)
Grilling Instructions (optional)
- Grill your tofu hot dogs for 2-3 minutes on each side for lovely grill marks if you'd like. Or you may enjoy the dogs straight out of the oven.
Notes
-
- There is no added salt since I’m using Tamari which I find salty enough. However, you may add salt to your taste if needed.
-
- You want a slightly softer than Play-Doh consistency, so start with less flour and add more only if needed. The flour required will vary according to how long you’ve pressed your tofu, and if you’re using thawed from frozen.
-
- If you don’t like having foil touch your food (like me), use parchment paper between the tofu hot dogs and aluminum foil layer.
SUE says
Oh my these are fantastic! Thank you so much! Can’t stop eating them. Hardly used any rice flour, used extra firm tofu Frozen defrost it and squeezed so so so great flavor and quick to preparing; super simple cleanup
Rosa says
Yay! So happy to hear that, Sue. Thanks for the review. 🙂
Molly says
Can’t wait to try this!! Can I use a different flour in place of the brown rice flour? Just trying to gauge whether I need to buy a bag of it. Thank you!
Rosa says
Hi Molly, I haven’t tested these with another flour, so I can’t guarantee the same results, but I believe tapioca flour would also work well.
Molly says
Thank you! I think I’ll go ahead and get the brown rice flour just to be sure—plus I keep seeing delicious recipes that use it😄
Rosa says
Please report back once you try them. 🙂
Cheryl Seitz says
These hot dogs were very good. By the time you get all the condiments in, you really just have the texture, which was hot dog like with a hint of smokey-ness.
Do you think these would freeze well ?
Rosa says
Thrilled you enjoyed these Cheryl! Thanks for the review. 🙂
I haven’t tried freezing them yet, but I don’t see why not.
Carol says
Wow Rosa you did it again!!!! I always love your recipes and haven’t been able to find a gluten free hot dog with whole food ingredients and this was absolutely perfect!! Thank you
Rosa says
Yay, I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Carol. Thanks very much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂