Make crispy, delicious Tofu Nuggets in your air fryer! These easy nuggets are a completely plant-based version of chicken nuggets. They turn extra crunchy in the air fryer (oven instructions included!)
These lil nuggets are so easy to make and fun to devour!
They are basically a vegan version of chicken nuggets - the process to make the nuggets is really similar.
Instead of cutting chicken into small pieces, we'll cut tofu into cubes.
Then, the breading process is really similar. Usually, you'd whisk an egg and to adhere the breadcrumbs. These tofu nuggets have the same process, using a flax egg. And this recipe works great with gluten-free breadcrumbs or regular.
Once your tofu pieces are coated, just air fry or oven bake until the nuggets are nice and crispy.
These nuggets are: crispy, crunchy, flavorful, & full of protein!
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Why I love these Tofu Nuggets
- Dietary needs - this dish is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar free
- High protein - tofu is packed with plant-based protein!
- Perfect for all ages - this recipe is definitely kid-friendly. But adults will enjoy too, especially when you pair these nuggets with my vegan honey mustard sauce
- Crispy, crunchy, delicious - everything you want in a good nugget
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Extra Firm Tofu: extra firm tofu is ideal here because it maintains it shape and will result in the best texture. For recipes like this, where the tofu is the star, I recommend a high-protein tofu, since they tend to be even firmer than standard extra-firm
- Flax Egg: this is a mixture of ground flaxseed and water. It works the same as an egg does in a breadcrumb coating - it helps to adhere the crumbs to the tofu
- Maple Syrup: you can also use date syrup for a completely fruit-sweetened recipe
- Dijon Mustard
- Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs but any regular or panko breadcrumbs will work!
- Nutritional Yeast: nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami flavor
- Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper
How to make Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Step 1. Preheat the air fryer or oven to 375°F. If using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. Place the block of tofu in a tofu press, or wrap in paper towels and place under a heavy object to release extra liquid.
Step 3. In a medium bowl, prepare the flax egg by mixing the ground flaxseed and water. Let sit 5 minutes.
Step 4. Then, add the dijon mustard and maple syrup. Mix well. Set aside.
Step 5. In another medium bowl mix the breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 6. Turn the block of pressed tofu on its side and slice in half lengthwise. Slice the block into four strips, then rotate and cut four strips again, creating 16 cubes per sheet (32 cubes total).
Step 7. Use one hand to coat a piece of tofu in the flax egg mixture. Then place in the bowl of breadcrumbs and use your other hand to coat evenly on all sides. Place on the tray/basket of your air fryer or on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all the tofu cubes.
Step 8. Air fry for 15-18 minutes or bake for 20-25 minutes.
Step 9. Let cool slightly, then serve with vegan honey mustard dressing. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
I recommend pairing these air fryer tofu nuggets with my vegan honey mustard dressing and enjoying by themselves. But you can pair these nuggets with so many other recipes:
- on your favorite sandwiches
- on top of a homemade cracker
- eat them on a salad instead of croutons
- serve them in soup
- as the protein in a grain bowl or rice bowl
- on crostini or with figs as an appetizer
- as a protein to pair with sheet pan veggies
Tips for the best tofu nuggets
- Use extra firm tofu. The more firm your tofu is, the better texture the end result will have.
- Pressing tofu. I recommend pressing the tofu for just a few minutes while you prepare the coating. But you can always press the tofu for longer! This will result in an even firmer texture.
- Cut small pieces. I give instructions on exactly how to cut your block of tofu and I recommend you cut the nuggets that size or smaller. Smaller pieces means more opportunity for crispy texture!
- Wet-hand dry-hand method. To avoid making a complete mess, use the wet-hand dry-hand method when coating your tofu. Use one hand to pick up the uncoated tofu and dip it in the flax egg mixture. Transfer it to the breadcrumb mixture then use the other hand to coat in breadcrumbs. Keeping one hand dry and the other wet.
Air Fryer & Oven Tips
- Types of air fryers. There are many types of air fryers out there, so be careful when making this recipe for the first time. You may need to air fry for more or less time.
- No air fryer? I give oven instructions too! If you have a convection oven, use that and follow the air fryer instructions instead.
- Arrange in a single layer. Whether you're using an air fryer or oven, be sure to arrange the nuggets in a single layer. You don't want the nuggets to stick to each other, and you want to give them opportunity to get crispy on all sides.
FAQ
You can use any gluten-free breadcrumbs you like. Or even gf panko. I like these gluten-free panko flakes.
Frozen tofu does have a more chicken-like texture than fresh & pressed tofu. But it does require some prep (or regularly keeping tofu in your freezer).
To freeze tofu, place the entire package of tofu in the freezer. To thaw, remove it from the freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator for 12 hours or on the counter for 3 hours. Then drain completely.
Store these nuggets in an air-tight container in the fridge. I don't recommend freezing.
The nuggets will last up to a week in the refrigerator.
To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer or oven at 350 for 5ish minutes, until they are warmed through.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for these nuggets. Thank you for the healthy yet delicious meal we have to eat. Amen.
Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 14 Ounce Block Extra Firm Tofu
- 3 Tablespoons Ground Flaxseed + 6 Tablespoons Water
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 Cup Breadcrumbs gluten-free, if necessary
- 1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- 2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer or oven to 375°F. If using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the block of tofu in a tofu press, or wrap in paper towels and place under a heavy object to release extra liquid.
- In a medium bowl, prepare the flax egg by mixing the ground flaxseed and water. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Then, add the dijon mustard and maple syrup. Mix well. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl mix the breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Turn the block of pressed tofu on its side and slice in half lengthwise. Slice the block into four strips, then rotate and cut four strips again, creating 16 cubes per sheet (32 cubes total).
- Use one hand to coat a piece of tofu in the flax egg mixture. Then place in the bowl of breadcrumbs and use your other hand to coat evenly on all sides. Place on the tray/basket of your air fryer or on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all the tofu cubes.
- Air fry for 15-18 minutes or bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Let cool slightly, then serve with vegan honey mustard dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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