Tofu Nuggets

5 from 10 votes

Tofu nuggets are a party in your mouth. Air-fried or baked, these bite-sized nuggets are a perfect entree or snack. They are so easy to make and even easier to eat! The kids LOVE them! And wait until is taste the sauce!

Prep Time20

Cook Time6

Total Time26

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 256kcal

Author: Kathy Carmichael

Ingredients

Tofu/Marinade

14 ounces sprouted or extra-firm tofu If using sprouted, pressing isn't necessary. If using extra-firm tofu, press.
3 Tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Flour Bowl

1 cup chickpea flour or flour of choice

Oat Milk/Dijon Bowl

1 cup oat milk
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard

Bread Crumb Mixture

1 cup bread crumbs
½ cup nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
3 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic salt optional

Maple Dijon Dipping Sauce

¼ cup dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

Prepare the Tofu

Cut tofu in half, making two large slabs.
Then cut into identical bite-sized cubes (approximately 20 nuggets).
Place all the cut tofu pieces into a container.
Whisk the marinade ingredients together and pour over the tofu pieces.
Seal the container, and turn it gently, to coat all the tofu pieces with the marinade.
Place in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours minimally.

Prepare the Dredging Bowls

In one bowl, add the flour; set aside.
Whisk the oat milk and the dijon mustard in the second bowl until combined.
Combine the bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, and spices in the third bowl. Stir the ingredients.

Coating the Tofu Nuggets

One at a time, take a piece of marinated tofu and dredge it in the flour, coating all sides of each piece.
Then, dip the flour-coated pieces into the oat milk mixture.
Next, coat the flour and milk-drenched tofu pieces into the bread crumb mixture.
Place each tofu nugget on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or in the base of the air-fryer (if using an air fryer)

Maple Dijon Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, combine maple syrup and dijon mustard.
Whisk or stir together.

Air-Frying

Set the air-fryer to 370 degrees.
Based on the air-fryer base's size, place as many nuggets in the air-fryer, leaving a space between each nugget to avoid sticking.
Cook for 6 minutes.
Remove cooked nuggets and cook the second batch.
I was able to cook 10 nuggets at a time in my
Go Wise Air-Fryer.

Baking

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Cook tofu nuggets for 10 minutes; flip each nugget over and cook for another 10 minutes.

Notes

Marinating the tofu overnight gives it more depth of flavor.

Cut the tofu pieces the same size, so the tofu nuggets cook evenly.

Use different herbs and seasonings to make unique flavor combinations.

For a gluten-free tofu nuggets recipe, choose gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.

If the batch is cooking in the air fryer, keep the cooked nuggets crispy and hot by preparing a baking sheet and preheat an oven to 325 degrees while cooking the other batches.

For kids, use cookie cutters and cut-out shapes of dinosaurs, hearts, or any shapes for a fun treat. However, choose similar-sized cookie cutters.

Instead of nuggets, cut tofu sticks or place a wooden skewer through a tofu stick for tofu on a stick.

Cut into larger pieces for a fried tofu sandwich.

The easiest way to reheat leftover fried tofu is in the oven. To do this, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, dry the tofu by pressing a towel onto the surface to remove moisture and place the tofu on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Nutrition