Easy Homemade Vegan Hot Dog Recipe (2024)

These Homemade Vegan Hot Dogs are super easy to make and taste so much like the real thing! Super firm tofu is soaked overnight in a sweet and smoky marinade and then wrapped in spring roll paper before browning in the frying pan. The spring roll paper adds great texture, similar to a hot dog casing, and the flavor is spot on. Enjoy these easy vegan hot dogs at your next BBQ or just for a fun family dinner.

It may not be summer anymore, but it’s always hot dog season! I’ve been working on this Easy Homemade Vegan Hot Dog Recipe for a little while now and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. These vegan hot dogs are made using tofu that is stored in a flavorful marinade and then wrapped in rice paper rolls and fried to perfection. They’re packed with protein taste so much like the real thing!

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Vegan Hot Dogs!

• They are easy to make – The base of these hot dogs is a piece of tofu, so with this recipe you don’t have to prepare a mixture of ingredients and then shape it into hot dogs to cook. The tofu just gets marinated, wrapped in spring roll paper and cooked in a skillet.
• They’re packed with protein – Tofu has lots of plant based protein and will leave you feeling full after you eat these hot dogs. I’m sure carrot dogs taste great, but I’ve always wondered if they fill you up that much.
• They look and taste very similar to the real thing – Wrapping the tofu in spring roll papers gives them a great look and texture that is similar to an actual hot dog. The marinade also has a really great flavor that is warm and smoky.

Easy Homemade Vegan Hot Dog Recipe Ingredients

• Tofu – I really recommend using super firm tofu for this hot dog recipe. Super firm tofu is usually pre-pressed so all you have to do is pat it dry. It has really great texture that is perfect for making these veggie hot dogs. If you can’t find super firm tofu, I would reccomend extra firm tofu that has been pressed well.
• Tamari – I like to use low sodium Tamari for this recipe. Tamari is a little thicker and richer than soy sauce so it is nice for a marinade, but soy sauce will also work. If making gluten free, use tamari or a GF soy sauce.
• Smoked Paprika – The smoked paprika adds lots of delicious smoky flavor to these vegan hot dogs. It also adds a nice red/orange color to the marinade. You should be able to find smoked paprika at most grocery stores, in the spice aisle.
• Maple Syrup – You will want to use pure maple syrup for this recipe, not pancake syrup. Honey could probably also be used, if not making vegan, but I prefer the taste of maple syrup over honey.
• Liquid Smoke – I use the hickory flavored liquid smoke and I add a few drops to the marinade, as well as the water that I soak the rice paper in. The liquid smoke adds a really nice flavor that mimics a regular hot dog.
• Garlic & Ginger – I add a little bit of fresh garlic and ginger to the marinade. They just help to add extra flavor. You could instead use dried garlic and ginger if you prefer.
• Toasted Sesame Oil – We just add 1/4 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, so it’s not super strong but adds some nice depth of flavor.
• Rice Paper – The rice paper is optional, but I love using it to wrap around the tofu before cooking it. It creates a nice outer layer that is similar to a hot dog casing. It also gets a little bit crispy and mimics the texture of the hot dog skin.
• Hot Dog Buns – You can use whatever type of hot dog buns you prefer. I’m eating gluten free right now, and I like to enjoy my hot dogs wrapped in a warmed corn tortilla.

How To Make The Best Vegan Hot Dog Recipe

1. Remove tofu from its package and pat dry. If using a tofu other than super firm, I would recommend pressing as much liquid out of it as you can. Cut your tofu into 6 equal sized rectangles. I place my block of tofu on its side and cut in half vertically once. Then, cut each half into three slices. This step is totally optional, but if you like, you can then trim off some of the square edges so that the tofu is more rounded and resembles an actual hot dog shape.
2. Make your marinade in either a ziplock bag or small container. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger and a few drops of liquid smoke and then mix together well.
3. Place the tofu into the marinade and make sure you cover as much of it as you can. Ideally, you want to let the tofu sit in the marinade (in the refrigerator) overnight, but at least two hours should flavor it well. Make sure to swish the marinade around every so often, or flip your tofu to make sure the entire piece gets submerged.
4. Prepare the spring roll wrappers once the tofu has been fully marinated. Add about a cup of water to a wide, shallow bowl. I like to then add a few drops of the liquid smoke and mix it around. Place the spring roll wrapper into the water, one at a time, and use your hands to move it around until it becomes soft and flexible.
5. Lay the wrapper onto a flat surface and place one piece of tofu in the middle. Wrap the edges up and then roll the wrapper around the tofu. It will be a little slippery, so just do the best you can!
6. Heat a large pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add in your wrapped vegan hot dogs and let each side cook for 2-3 minutes, until browned and slightly crispy. Some parts of the spring roll wrapper will get crispy, while others may not, but that is ok. At the very end, I like to spoon a few spoonfuls of the leftover marinade on top of the hot dogs and let them cook for another 30 seconds or so. This just creates a nice charred flavor and blackens them a little bit, which is how I used to prefer to eat my regular hot dogs.
7. These hot dogs have the best texture when served immediately. Enjoy in a bun with your favorite hot dog toppings.

Vegan Hot Dog Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these vegan hot dogs gluten free? Yes, just make sure to use gluten free hot dog buns. I like to wrap mine in heated corn tortillas rather than use gluten free buns, but it’s just my preference.
• Do you have to wrap the tofu in the rice paper? No, you can just leave the tofu plain, without wrapping it in rice paper. The marinade will make more of a mess in the pan, but they will still taste good.
• Can these vegan hot dogs be grilled? Unfortunately I think the rice paper might stick to the grill a little bit, but I honestly haven’t tried it myself so I’m not 100% sure. I will update the post once I try it out! The tofu by itself can absolutely be cooked on the grill though.
• How long do leftovers last in the refrigerator? If stored in an airtight container, leftovers should last about 5 days. I would recommend re-heating in a pan with a little cooking spray.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!

Popular Hot Dog Toppings

Some people like to go super simple and just add one or two toppings, while others load them on! Here are a few popular hot dog topping ideas:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Onion
• Jalapeno
• Relish
• Chili
• Coleslaw

What’s your favorite hot dog topping?

Looking For More Delicious Veganized Recipes?

Crispy Tofu Nuggets

Vegan Pumpkin Queso Dip

Vegan Tuna Salad

Vegan Orange Chicken

Vegan Carnitas with Mushrooms

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