Description
These crispy and delicious Tofu Nuggets offer a perfect plant-based alternative to traditional chicken nuggets. Coated with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and baked or air-fried until golden and crunchy, they make a great appetizer or snack that’s kid-friendly and vegan.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu and Marinade
- 14 oz extra-firm tofu (pressed and cut into bite-sized cubes)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or spray (for baking or air frying)
Instructions
- Prepare vegan buttermilk: In a small bowl, combine unsweetened plant milk with apple cider vinegar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes to curdle, creating a tangy vegan buttermilk.
- Set up dredging stations: Arrange three separate bowls: one containing the all-purpose flour, the second with the vegan buttermilk, and the third with the breadcrumbs mixed with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat tofu cubes: Individually dip each tofu cube first into the flour, coating all sides, then into the vegan buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off, and finally thoroughly coat with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Prepare for cooking: Place the coated tofu nuggets onto a lined baking sheet if baking or into the air fryer basket if using that method. Lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil to aid crisping.
- Cook the nuggets: To bake, preheat oven to 400°F and cook the nuggets for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning. For air frying, preheat air fryer to 375°F and cook for 15–18 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Using panko breadcrumbs will give extra crunch and texture to your nuggets.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- These nuggets can be frozen either before or after cooking, making them perfect for meal prep and easy reheating.
