Honey Baked Tofu Ham (Super Easy Recipe!)
This honey baked tofu ham is sweet, smoky, sticky, and caramelized around the edges with a glossy orange-honey glaze. It’s an easy vegetarian centerpiece made in the air fryer that feels festive, fun, and surprisingly satisfying.
Servings: 2
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
For the tofu ham:
- 1 block extra firm tofu
For the marinade:
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon veggie bouillon
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 cup water
For the glaze:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 navel orange
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep the tofu: Start by pressing the extra firm tofu well to remove excess moisture. This helps the marinade soak in better and keeps the tofu firmer.
- Shape the Tofu: Round the corners using a pairing knife, and score the top in a criss-cross pattern, cutting deeply enough to create that ham-like look but not all the way through so the base stays intact.
- Marinate the tofu: In a small bowl, mix together the dark soy sauce, veggie bouillon, liquid smoke, and water. Pour or spoon the marinade over the tofu inside a ziplock bag and let it sit for a few minutes so the flavor starts soaking in.
- Make the glaze: Add the brown sugar, honey, juice from the orange, olive oil, smoked paprika, allspice, lemon pepper, Dijon mustard, garlic paste, and salt to a small saucepan. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Set up the air fryer: Place the tofu in the air fryer basket. If needed, crumple two small balls of foil and place them on either side of the tofu to help keep it upright and in place.
- Air fry the tofu: Air fry at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, until the outside looks a little darker and the tofu has started to firm up.
- Glaze the tofu: Brush the tofu generously with glaze, making sure it gets into the scored sections on top.
- Air fry again: Return the tofu to the air fryer at 400°F for 3–5 minutes so the glaze can caramelize.
- Glaze one more time: Brush on a second layer of glaze for extra shine and flavor.
- Finish air frying: Air fry for another 3 minutes at 400°F, or until glossy, sticky, and beautifully caramelized around the edges.
- Serve: Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so it holds together better. Spoon over any extra glaze and serve warm.
Notes
Tofu size matters: Use a standard 14 to 16 ounce block of extra firm tofu. If your block is much smaller, the glaze may feel too strong. If it is larger, the flavor may be lighter.
Dark soy sauce gives the best color: Regular soy sauce works, but dark soy sauce helps give the tofu that deeper brown color that makes it look more like a glazed ham.
Fresh orange works best: Use both the juice and a little zest if you want a brighter, more holiday-style glaze. Bottled orange juice works in a pinch, but the flavor will not be quite as fresh.
Do not skip the liquid smoke: It is a small amount, but it makes a big difference in giving the tofu that smoky, ham-inspired flavor.
The glaze should be thick enough to brush on: If it seems too thin after simmering, let it cook another minute or two. If it gets too thick, loosen it with a small splash of water or orange juice.
Air fryer timing can vary: Some air fryers run hotter than others, so start checking on the earlier side, especially during the final glaze rounds. The outside should look glossy and caramelized, not burnt.
Nutrition
Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1884mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 70g | Vitamin A: 429IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 4mg
