These Crispy Tofu Nuggets are super easy to make, healthy, and packed with plant-based protein! Completely vegan and packed with flavor, this simple breaded tofu recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Instructions are included for Air Fryer and oven-baked methods, so take your pick!
Calling all nugget lovers!
I know you're out there, and I've got great news for you - after many, many tests, I've perfected this crispy, delicious, vegan Tofu Nuggets recipe!
Whip up a batch of these for a game day appetizer or snack, or for a kid-friendly dinner. Also, a grown-up-friendly dinner, because frankly, who doesn't love a nugget meal?
I love having these Crispy Tofu Nuggets on top of a green salad (they're great with this Vegetarian Caesar Salad), or in a wrap. But you can't beat them hot and crispy straight from the oven or air fryer and dunked into your favourite sauce. Use these nuggets as the base to make our finger-licking good Buffalo Tofu Nuggets!
So. Freaking. Good. Vegan chicken nuggets for the win!
Let's make tofu nuggets together!
I have included instructions for both the air fryer and oven-baked methods in the recipe card. Both techniques turn out great, but you can't beat the Air Fryer for both speed and crunch.
Let's walk through it together.
Step 1: prepare your tofu
Start by slicing your tofu into pencil-thick slices, and then arranging them on a paper towel to dry a bit while you're preparing the other ingredients. Pat off any excess moisture with another paper towel.
Use your hands to tear each slice of tofu into smaller pieces. I find that this gives the tofu a more "nuggety" appearance when it's done. I prefer rectangles to cubes, but you do you.
Step 2: prepare the coating
Whisk together the flour and oat milk, and season with salt and pepper.
In another bowl, mix together the panko, nutritional yeast, flour, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: coat the tofu
Add the tofu to the bowl with the batter, and gently stir to coat the pieces.
Then, one by one drop the tofu into the bread crumb mixture, and toss to coat. Arrange the breaded tofu on a plate or cookie sheet until you've finished breading them all.
Step 4: Air Fry or bake your tofu nuggets
Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and lightly spray with a bit of oil - this is optional, but helps provide a much crispier crust.
Air fry for 10 minutes, flip the tofu nuggets over, spray with a bit more oil, and air fry for 5 minutes more. Your nuggets should be golden brown on both sides, crispy, and delicious.
Step 5: serve!
Serve hot, with your favorite dips!
Crispy Breaded Tofu Nuggets (Bake or Air Fry!)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 14 ounces firm tofu
For the batter
- ¼ cup oat milk or other non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup flour
- salt and pepper
For the breading
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the tofu into half-inch thick slices, and then use your hands to tear those slices into nugget-sized pieces.14 ounces firm tofu
- Spread the tofu pieces out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, and pat them dry. Leave them there to dry a bit while you mix together the other ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk together oat milk with flour, and season with salt and pepper.¼ cup oat milk, ¼ cup flour, salt and pepper
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together nutritional yeast, panko bread crumbs, flour, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.¼ cup nutritional yeast, ¼ cup panko bread crumbs, 2 Tablespoons flour, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Place the tofu pieces in the bowl with the wet mixture, and gently stir to ensure they're all well coated.
- Drop individual pieces of tofu into the breadcrumb mixture and toss to coat. Arrange the breaded tofu on a plate, and repeat with all remaining tofu.
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
- Pre-heat your Air Fryer to 180°C / 350°F.
- Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket, and lightly spray with oil.
- Air Fry for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the pieces over, spray with oil again, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
Oven Baked Tofu Nuggets
- Pre-heat your oven to 200°C/400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer, and lightly spray with oil.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the pieces over, spray with oil again, and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce!
Notes
- Nutrition values are an estimate only.
- What's the best kind tofu for nuggets? I prefer to use firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe. Medium or soft tofu would likely fall apart as you toss with the breading or try and turn the nuggets. Firm tofu that has been frozen and then thawed and pressed has a great chewy texture and is also perfect for making nuggets.
- Do I need to press tofu? Nope, not for this recipe! Simply slice, pat dry, and you're good to go.
- Can I fry tofu nuggets? You sure can! If you'd prefer to make fried tofu on the stovetop, simply heat a heavy-bottomed skillet with plenty of oil, and fry until golden on both sides.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? You bet! Just use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour and you're good to go.
- Can I make this recipe in advance? Your tofu nuggets are always going to be the their crispiest and most glorious served directly out of the air fryer or oven, but you can certainly make them in advance. One option is to prepare the breaded tofu and then keep it in the fridge until you're ready to make your nugs. Another option is to make this tofu nugget recipe and then re-heat leftovers gently in the air fryer or oven. Leftover nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about three days.
Christine says
I just made this tonight... really tasty! I didn't have extra firm tofu, but actually it worked pretty well with medium. I tried to get some of the moisture out before cooking it up, but honestly not THAT hard (I didn't press it or anything). We used a chili sauce for dipping and had it with fresh corn on the cob, roasted okra and sliced tomatoes. A perfect late summer supper : )
themuffinmyth says
Yum!
Allison says
Delicious. Even a hit with my carnivorous bf. 😉
Hazel says
Katie!! This is awesome! 🙂 I just made it tonight for dinner.
Glad things seem to be gong so well...
themuffinmyth says
Glad you made it, Hazel. This is one of my favourite things to do with tofu.