Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

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This is the best recipe to cook when you want a filling and savory dish to feed the family. Munching on these crunchy plant-based nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce such, as ketchup, vegan ranch, or Cherry Tomato Sauce, will certainly take you down memory lane. 

All you need is a block of tofu and a few other simple ingredients to make these tasty vegan nuggets! 

Simply toss the tofu in the freezer whenever you get home from the grocery store, or whenever you know you’re making this recipe. Even if it’s just an hour before. Doing the freeze-thaw method helps to give the inside of the tofu a meaty texture.

After marinating the tofu pieces, they are breaded in a lovely layer of crunch with nutritional yeast and breadcrumbs. You can make them even crispier, like popcorn chicken, with panko-style breadcrumbs. 

These delicious homemade air fry tofu bites will certainly make you want to skip the store-bought vegan chicken nuggets because they are less expensive and healthier! They are a great finger-food idea for parties and potlucks.

For some more vegan game-day food, be sure to check out my Habanero Salsa, Philly Cheesteaks, Gochujang Cauliflower, Breaded Mushrooms, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Rotel Dip, Date Snickers, and Skillet Cookie!

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Ingredients and Substitutions

• Tofu – Use a block of firm or extra-firm tofu.
• Soy Sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce, aminos, or tamari adds so much flavor.
• Water – Regular tap water thins the marinade.
• Garlic Powder – I find powdered garlic to work best in the marinade.
• Plant Milk – Any kind of plant-based milk turns the batter into a creamy slurry. 
• Flour – All-purpose or gluten-free works.
• Cornstarch – Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch works as a good substitute, if needed.
• Onion Powder – Gives an irresistible flavor.
• Bread Crumbs – Use any vegan breadcrumbs or Panko if you want extra crispy nuggets.
• Nutritional Yeast – Adds a flavorful layer of flakes with a hint of cheesiness. 
• Paprika – Adds a wonderful smoky flavor. You can also add in a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for spicy nuggets.
• Poultry Seasoning – A naturally vegan seasoning that really brings out a Chick-fil-A essence here. 
• Cooking Spray – Use a thin layer of cooking spray, such as olive oil or avocado oil. It’s best to use a spray that relies on air pressure and is chemical/propellant-free.

How to Make Tofu Nuggets in the Air Fryer

Here are some quick visual steps. Find the full recipe with exact measurements on the recipe card below.

Freeze the tofu block overnight if you can, or for at least an hour. There is no need to press the block before freezing it, and keep it in the original packaging.

Note, you can skip this step if you’re short on time, but freezing the tofu prior to cooking it helps to make it chewy, dense, and juicy. 

Place the frozen tofu on a plate and thaw it in the microwave. 

Drain the excess liquid and then press the tofu. Meanwhile, mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. 

Slice the tofu into thick strips, then tear or cut them into bite-sized pieces. Or, you can make tofu tenders by leaving them a bit longer. 

Place the pieces in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Then, marinate it in the refrigerator.

Combine the dry breading ingredients. Then, mix the wet batter ingredients in a separate bowl. 

Heat the air fryer and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. 

Dip the tofu pieces in the wet batter and gently toss each piece in the dry mixture until fully coated. 

Place the breaded nuggets in a single layer in the basket with some space in between each one. Spray the nuggets with a thin layer of cooking spray. 

Bake them until they’re golden brown. Give the tray a good shake halfway through the cooking time. 

Prepare the next batch while one is air-frying. Repeat this breading and frying process until all of the nuggets are cooked. 

Sprinkle parsley, and more salt and pepper over the tofu nuggets. Enjoy these vegan nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.

I hope you loved this recipe! If you try it, please let me know what you think with a rating and comment below. Your feedback really supports my blog and is helpful to other readers! 🙂 You can stay updated on my latest recipes by following me on Pinterest and joining my Email List.