Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

These Air fryer Tofu Nuggets are amazingly tasty and crunchy that is tossed in barbecue sauce! You can oven bake or air fry these tofu nuggets, either way, you will get incredibly tasty & crunchy tofu nuggets!!

this recipe

You can serve them as a side dish in your next potluck or picnic, stuff them in a wrap or a sandwich, you can add them in your buddha bowl, or just pair it with your favorite dipping sauce! These vegan chicken nuggets are so versatile and very easy to make air fryer snacks recipe!

If you think tofu tastes bland, then you need to try this Air fryer Tofu Nuggets! These super easy tofu nuggets are very tasty, crunchy, and crispy on the outside and fork-tender on the inside. How can anyone resist these crunchy tofu bites that fit perfectly with any dipping sauce? Yes, I know it’s impossible! Especially when you air fry or oven bake these tofu nuggets, just like your favorite store-bought nuggets of deep-fried treats, but using minimal oil which makes it a healthy side dish.

Ingredients for Tofu Nuggets (Air Fryer & Oven Baked)

Extra-firm Tofu: extra firm or firm tofu (which has been pressed for at least 15 to 30 minutes) works great for this recipe. Pressing the tofu before air frying or baking it is a very important step, it helps to get rid of all the excess water out of the tofu. 

1.Breadcrumb Mixture: 

• panko breadcrumbs
• extra virgin olive oil 
• Seasoning: paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper

2. Outer coating: 

• Cornstarch or cornflour: it helps to make the outer skin crispy. 
• Milk: to make this a vegan recipe use any plant-based milk. 
• Apple cider vinegar 

3. Easy Homemade Barbecue sauce: 

• Homemade barbecue sauce or any hot sauce 
• Vegan butter or olive oil

How to make oven-baked Crispy Tofu Nuggets

Find the air fryer instruction for tofu nuggets in the recipe card below. 

• Press the tofu: Press the tofu by wrapping it in a paper or kitchen towel. Place it under a skillet and some books or place a heavy pot over it. Let the tofu slab sit for at least 30 to 45 minutes. 
• Cut the tofu: After the tofu is fully pressed, pat it dry and cut it into first lengthwise and cut each half into 4 pieces or simply cut the tofu into equal cubes. 
• Preheat your oven at 450°F or 230°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Breadcrumb Mixture: tackle a small bowl and add all the breadcrumb mixture and whisk it. 
• Outer coating mixture: take a deep bowl, add cornflour, garlic powder,  onion powder, and salt. Add milk and water gradually and combine it and make it a smooth batter without any lumps. 
• Dredge the tofu into the batter and then roll it with the breadcrumb mixture, gently shake off the excess and place it in the baking tray. 
• Place the baking tray in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the tofu gets a slight golden brown color. Make sure to flip the tofu halfway through and spray some oil if required.

Tips for Best Air fryer Tofu Nuggets

• Do not forget to press the tofu before using it.
• Spread the tofu cubes evenly on the air fryer basket or the baking tray for even cooking. 
• Want to skip oil? The outer skin won’t get the golden brown color and the perfect texture without using oil. 
• For extra flavor you can marinate the tofu cubes in a marinade for about 30 minutes- soy sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. You can skip pressing the tofu if you marinate it. 
• You can reheat the leftover baked tofu nuggets in a skillet with a little bit of oil, over medium to high flame.
• You can even reheat the leftover tofu nuggets in an air fryer, just place them in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes

More Tofu recipes:

• Crispy air fryer marinated tofu
• General Tso’s Tofu 
• Orange Tofu
• Teriyaki Tofu 
• Crispy Baked Tofu Bowl
• Sticky sesame Chickpeas with roasted tofu 

Tofu Nuggets (Oven Baked and Air Fryer)

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Serves: 2 Prep Time: 5 Cooking Time: 15 15

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.9/5

( 8 voted )

Ingredients

1 block Extra-firm tofu (14oz)

Breadcrumb Mixture: 

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp paprika,
• 1/2 tbsp onion powder,
• 1/4 tbsp garlic powder,
• 1 1/2 tsp salt (or as per your taste)
• 1/4 tbsp pepper

Outer coating: 

• 1/2 cup Cornstarch or cornflour
• 1 cup any plant-based milk
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar

Easy Homemade Barbecue sauce: 

• 3 tbsp Homemade barbecue sauce or any hot sauce
• 2 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil

Instructions

• Press the tofu: Press the tofu by wrapping it in a paper or kitchen towel. Place it under a skillet and some books or place a heavy pot over it. Let the tofu slab sit for at least 30 to 45 minutes. 
• Cut the tofu: After the tofu is fully pressed, pat it dry and cut it into first lengthwise and cut each half into 4 pieces or simply cut the tofu into equal cubes. 
• Breadcrumb Mixture: tackle a small bowl and add all the breadcrumb mixture and whisk it. 
• Outer coating mixture: take a deep bowl, add cornflour, garlic powder,  onion powder, and salt. Add milk and water gradually and combine it and make it a smooth batter without any lumps. 
• Dredge the tofu into the batter and then roll it with the breadcrumb mixture, gently shake off the excess and place it in the air fryer basket.  
• Cook: Cook the tofu nuggets at 375°F for about 15 minutes until golden and crispy flipping them halfway through. 
• Optional: whisk the homemade barbecue with butter or oil. take out the tofu nuggets from the air fryer at 6 minutes and brush the BBQ sauce mixture and place the tofu in the air fryer and cook for another 7 minutes. 

Notes

• Do not forget to press the tofu before using it.
• Spread the tofu cubes evenly on the air fryer basket or the baking tray for even cooking. 
• Want to skip oil? The outer skin won’t get the golden brown color and the perfect texture without using oil. 
• For extra flavor you can marinate the tofu cubes in a marinade for about 30 minutes- soy sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. You can skip pressing the tofu if you marinate it. 
• You can reheat the leftover baked tofu nuggets in a skillet with a little bit of oil, over medium to high flame.
• You can even reheat the leftover tofu nuggets in an air fryer, just place them in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes.

More Vegan Recipes:

• Chickpea Tikka Masala
• Vegan Thai red curry 
• Red Kidney Bean Curry 
• Cauliflower and chickpea curry