Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe (Vegan) (2024)

These Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets have a meaty texture that is so similar to chicken nuggets, you won't believe it!

Today I am adding one more recipe to my collection ofair fryer recipes, and this one does not disappoint!

There is no doubt that nuggetsare a crowd-pleaser and are loved by adults and kids alike. They make for the perfect appetizer at a dinner party, can be added to your kid's lunch box, or served as a main dish next to Brussels sprouts.

I recommend serving them with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, barbecue sauce, or vegan ranch.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• High in protein.Adding protein to your mealsis important to keep you feeling satisfied and full. Just 1 serving of these air fryer tofu nuggets packs 13g of protein.
• Made with healthy plant-based ingredients.This recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and nut-free, and can be made gluten-free with just 1 swap!
• Packed with flavor.No more bland tofu, friends! This recipe uses a few different spices and coats the tofu with flavor.
• Budget-friendly and easy to make! They can be prepared even by beginners.

Ingredients You'll Need

Get all the details on these simple ingredients in the recipe card found at the bottom of the post.

• Corn starch:You can also use all-purpose flour, but the air fryer nuggets will turn out a bit softer.
• Tofu:Use firm or extra-firm tofu for best results.
• Soy milk:Make sure to use unsweetened soy milk with no flavorings. You can also use pea milk.
• Apple cider vinegar:You'll need it to make the vegan buttermilk. You can also use lemon juice.
• Panko breadcrumbs:Make sure to use panko breadcrumbs and not regular breadcrumbs! They are lighter and crispier and give a better texture to the nuggets.
• Spices:Adding plenty of spice is important here because tofu doesn't really have much flavor. I use smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, as well as salt and black pepper.
• Nutritional yeast:It gives the nuggets a cheesy and salty flavor.
• Oil: You'll need a little bit of oil to help the breadcrumbs and the spices stick together. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, or any neutral oil you have on hand.

How to Make Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

1. If you don't have a tofu press, wrap a block of tofu In a clean kitchen towel or a few paper towels. Place a heavy object on top and press the tofu for 1 hour.
   
2. With your hands, tear the tofu into chunks, or cut it into tofu cubes using a knife.

3. Prepare three bowls. In the first one, mix the soy milk and apple cider vinegar and let it rest for 5 minutes or until it curdles.

To the second one add the corn starch. To the third one mix the panko breadcrumbs, spices, nutritional yeast, and oil.

4. To coat the tofu, roll it in corn starch first, then dip it in the milk, then add it back to the corn starch, and dip it in the milk once again. Finally, add the tofu pieces to the breadcrumb mixture and toss to coat.

See Also

Homemade Gluten-Free Flatbread Recipe | G-Free FoodieZERO Carb Chicken Crust Pizza Recipe | Best Chicken Pizza CrustDöner Kebab Recipe (Chicken Version)Gluten-Free Artisan Bread Master Recipe | Bread in Five

5. Pre-heat the air fryer to 350ºF (180ºC). Add the tofu nuggets to the air fryer basket In a single layer. Spray with cooking spray.

6. Air fry tofu for 8-9 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

Top Tips

• Use extra-firm tofu.The firmness of the tofu is really important for the texture of the nuggets. If you can't find extra-firm tofu, you can use firm tofu, but you'll need to press it for longer in order to get rid of the excess water.
• Press the tofu. This is an important step of the recipe, and it makes a big difference. Just 30 minutes is better than not pressing the tofu at all.
• Use soy milk.In order to make vegan buttermilk, you need high-protein milk so the proteins can react with the acid (in our case, it's the apple cider vinegar). Don't substitute it with almond milk, oat milk, or another dairy-free milk, because the result won't be the same!
• Serve right away!These air fryer tofu nuggets are best when served fresh. Like most crispy foods, they lose their crunch as they cool.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage

Store in an airtight container for 4-5 days. This recipe is not freezer-friendly.

I also have a full article about how long does tofu last with lots of tips and insides!

Serving

These air fryer tofu nuggets pair so well with ketchup, vegan honey mustard sauce, vegan ranch, and even cheese sauce if you're feeling extra.

For a side dish, try our waffle fries, sweet potato fries, or home fries.

More Tofu Recipes

• Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu
• Baked BBQ Tofu
• Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu
• Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
• Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe
• Tofu Pasta Recipe

And check out my 50 Best Tofu Recipes for more ideas on how to cook tofu!

Post photography by: Petranka Atanasova.

©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and photos are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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