Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Name: Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 300 grams extra firm tofu (firm will also work); 1/3 cup veggie broth; 2 tablespoons soya sauce; 1/3 cup all purpose flour; 2 tablespoons corn starch (tapioca starch will also work, or you can skip it altogether); 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika will also work); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; spray oil

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Air Fryer Tofu | These tofu nuggets are easy, wholesome, and delicious. They come out so crispy and flavourful while being low fat, making them the perfect addition to grain bowls, wraps, or just about any meal. 5 ingredients are all it takes to make these quick and easy air fryer tofu nuggets.

These crispy tofu nuggets are the perfect protein rich dinner idea. They’re super easy to make and take only 8 minutes in the air fryer. Whether you’re a busy parent, a busy professional or someone who just loves easy vegan dinner ideas, this recipe is for you.

With 16 grams of protein per serving, these easy tofu nuggets are the perfect addition to a grain bowl, any wrap, or any main dish. They could also be enjoyed as vegan chicken nuggets, paired with your favourite dipping sauce. I recommend barbecue sauce, a splash of sesame oil and hot sauce mixed with vegan mayo for a spicy barbecue mayo.

This tofu nuggets recipe is super easy and make for the perfect air fried snack. They take about 15 minutes total, making them the perfect time-saving alternative to traditional cooking methods without compromising on flavour and texture.

How do you make tofu nuggets flavourful and crispy?

Marinate the tofu in veggie broth or ‘chicken-less broth’ and some soy sauce for 10 minutes, this will make the tofu itself really flavourful. Then, season the breadcrumbs with nutritional yeast, for a cheesy umami taste, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper.

Leave the rest up to the air fryer! The way the air circulates in the air fryer gets the outside of the nuggets brown and crispy while keeping the inside soft.

What kind of tofu is best for air fryer?

Firm tofu or extra firm tofu works best for the air fryer and it’s the easiest to work with! The more water content in the tofu, the more likely it is to fall apart. Unlike soft or medium firm tofu, the extra firm has very little moisture, making it the ideal choice for air frying.

Ingredients

More about the ingredients in this recipe. The exact measurements are below.

Extra firm tofu – I use extra firm tofu because of the texture and sturdiness, but firm will also work.
Veggie broth and soya sauce – To marinate the tofu pieces, the veggie broth infuses lots of earthy flavours, and the soya sauce simply amplifies the savoury flavour.
Flour and corn starch – For the batter. The cornstarch makes it airy and light. If you don’t have cornstarch you can use tapioca starch, or skip it.
Panko bread crumbs – Panko is super crispy and light, giving the tofu the perfect crunch. I really recommend using panko, but if you don’t have it, you can use regular breadcrumbs.
Nutritional yeast – It has a unique nutty, almost cheesy flavour. Used to season the breadcrumbs.
Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and pepper – For seasoning the breadcrumbs, these spices create the perfect savoury flavour profile along with the nutritional yeast.

Instructions

Freezing and thawing the tofu gives it a meatier, ‘chicken like’ texture.

First, press the tofu! Drain the tofu package of the liquid, then wrap the tofu block in some paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and place it under a heavy object, like a cast iron pan. Let sit for 15 minutes and then unwrap.

Place the tofu block onto a cutting board horizontally. Cut into 6 even slices. Then cut each slice into 3 pieces. You should have 18 rectangular pieces. You could alternatively tear the tofu into pieces, giving it a rougher texture.

In a shallow dish, add the tofu cubes and cover with the veggie broth and soya sauce. Let sit for 10 minutes, flipping half way through.

In a small bowl, add the breadcrumbs and all of the seasonings. Mix together and then set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and water, making sure to get rid of any clumps. Set aside.

Using one hand, remove the tofu from the marinade and coat it in the batter, letting the excess drip off. Drop the tofu piece into the breadcrumb bowl.

Using your other hand, evenly cover the tofu piece in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to your air fryer basket or tray and gently cover with spray cooking spray, or gently brush with oil.

Bake for 8 minutes, flipping half way through. If you have a 2-tier air fryer, I suggest rotating the trays as well.

Enjoy the tofu cubes on their own with your favourite dipping sauce, or add to a grain bowl or veggie wrap.

For a crispy pan fried version of this recipe, try my Panko Tofu.

Tips for making air fryer tofu

Customize the spices: Add additional spices or dried herbs to the breadcrumbs, such as dried thyme, or some cayenne powder for some spice.
Press the tofu: Pressing the tofu is an essential step in making the perfect tofu. Drain the tofu package of its liquid, then wrap the tofu block in paper towel and place it under a heavy pan. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Use the wet hand dry hand method to keep your hands cleaner, and to prevent the breadcrumbs from clumping together.

What to serve with air fried tofu

Toss the tofu nuggets into any grain bowl or salad. Or, enjoy them as a crunchy addition to a wrap or sandwich.

For vegan chicken nuggets and fries, air fry or bake the fries according to the package instructions. Serve together with your favourite dipping sauce.

I recommend vegan barbeque mayo, honey mustard, chipotle sauce or homemade chimichurri sauce.

For a pan fried version of this recipe, try my Panko Tofu.

For more tofu recipes, try my sweet chili tofu or vegan chicken balls.

Substitutions

This recipe is vegan
To make them completely oil free, just skip spraying them with oil. They will turn out the same.
Firm tofu will also work in place of extra firm tofu. Medium firm tofu could work if you handle it very gently.
Experiment with seasonings: Use your favourite spices to season the breadcrumbs to your preferred taste.

Storage

Store the tofu nuggets covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. To store in the freezer, store in an air tight container and keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Freezing will alter the texture of the tofu.

When stored, the coating will become soft due to moisture exposure, so to reheat them and crisp them up, bake them in the oven at 350°F or in the air fryer at 350F°- 400°F. Heat for 5-7 minutes, and keep an eye on them!

FAQ’s

Can tofu nuggets be part of meal prep?

Sure, make the tofu nuggets ahead of time and portion for meal prep. Make sure to separate them from other meal prep items to prevent sogginess. Heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or enjoy cold.

What dipping sauce goes well with tofu nuggets?

Any dipping sauce works well with the humble flavours of tofu nuggets. Ketchup, barbecue sauce or honey mustard are well known favourites.

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

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