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Abstract Here we report an Au nanoparticles supported on nanostructured porous carbon (NPCs) hybrid through a coordination-assisted strategy. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been demonstrated as suitable precursors for preparing NPCs through the impregnation of a secondary carbon source within pores of MOFs. The thermal transformation of Au/UiO-66-NH 2 composites in an inert atmosphere has yielded ultrafine Au-embedded NPCs (Au/NPCs). The formation of these composite materials was verified by a comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Because of the unique structural properties and synergetic catalytic effect, Au/NPCs can be developed as an effective sensing platform for the detection of acetaminophen (AP), which showed high activity and excellent analytical performance towards AP, such as a wide linear range of 0.12–95.10 μM, a high sensitivity of 357.62 μA mM−1, and a low limit of detection of 49.4 nM. Importantly, the successfully fabricated Au/NPCs device accurately measured the amount of AP in pharmaceutical samples. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The Au/NPCs hybrids were prepared by a simple one-step pyrolysis of UiO-66 particles. • It was prepared by using UiO-66 as template and the MOFs also act as carbon sources without need of additional precursors. • A sensitive biosensor for AP was developed based on the Au/NPCs–GCE, which showed good electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]