Crispy Tofu Nuggets

These Crispy Tofu Nuggets are super easy to make, healthy, and packed with plant-based protein! Completely vegan and packed with flavour, this simple breaded tofu recipe is sure to become a family favourite. Instructions are included for Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets and Oven Baked Tofu Nuggets, so take your pick! 

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Calling all nugget lovers! 

I know you're out there, and I've got great news for you - 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? Psychos. That is who. 

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.

So. Freaking. Good. Vegan chicken nuggets for the win!

Ingredients:

You'll find specific quantities of ingredients in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, but let's take a quick look together. You're going to need some:

• Tofu --> Firm or extra firm is what we're after here.
• Nutritional yeast --> This adds a ton of flavour to the breading.
• Panko breadcrumbs --> For crunch!
• Oat milk --> Or your milk of choice.
• Flour --> For making the batter.
• Smoked paprika --> Because it's the best.
• Salt and black pepper --> As one does.

Equipment: 

I have included instructions in this post for making oven baked tofu nuggets or crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets. Both techniques turn out great, but you can't beat the Air Fryer for both speed and crunch. This is the model that I have (<-- affiliate link).

For oven baked tofu nuggets I strongly suggest lining your baking sheet with parchment paper (affiliate link). 

How to make this recipe

First up, we're going to make breaded 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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Serve hot, with your favourite dips!

Pro tips / recipe notes:

• 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. 

I want to bake my nuggets

You can! For crispy baked tofu nuggets simply bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet according to the instructions below. You got this! They'll taste amazing!

Want to bring the heat?

Use these tofu nuggets as the base to make our finger licking good Buffalo Tofu Nuggets! 

HEY NUTRITION LADY, is TOFU healthy?

You bet it is! 

Tofu is a protein-packed plant-based food made by fermenting or coagulating soy milk into a cake. Although tofu is made from soybeans --> soy milk --> tofu, it's made with significantly less processing than soy protein isolates or other commercially prepared soy foods and can be more or less considered a whole food.

Tofu is an excellent source of calcium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids. It's also a good source of iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B1. Tofu also provides a range of phytonutrients including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic acids.

Concerned about soy in your diet? More than likely you don't need to be. If you want to learn more about this sometimes controversial food, I've got a great post on The Soy Situation you can read up on.

Other tasty recipes:

Cheesy Quinoa and Broccoli Nuggets
Air Fryer Falafel 
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Air Fryer Carrots
Baked Zucchini Fries
Crispy Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Tempeh
15 Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes
Baked Tofu
Chickpea Fritters

Print Pin

5 from 7 votes

Crispy Tofu Nuggets

These Crispy Tofu Nuggets are super easy to make, healthy, and packed with plant-based protein! Completely vegan and packed with flavour, this simple breaded tofu recipe is sure to become a family favourite. Instructions are included for Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets and Baked Tofu Nuggets, so take your pick! 

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Tofu Nuggets

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 160kcal

Author Katie Trant

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

US Customary - Metric

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Slice the tofu into half-inch thick slices, and then use your hands to tear those slices into nugget-sized pieces.
• 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 ¼ cup oat milk with ¼ cup flour, and season with salt and pepper.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together ¼ cup nutritional yeast, ¼ cup panko bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons flour, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon 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. 

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Calcium: 156mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe was first published August 17, 2011. It has been updated with instructions for the Air Fryer, re-photographed, edited, and an instructional video added on November 3, 2021.