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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

    Published: Jun 20, 2021 · Modified: Jun 2, 2022 by Ipsa Faujdar · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Air fryer tofu or tofu nuggets are perfect appetizers. These are a great substitute for chicken nuggets in the vegan diet. This gives a chicken-like texture when cooked perfectly. Even an omnivore will love these nuggets.

    vegan chicken nuggets

    Enjoy these tofu nuggets without oil. You can also bake these nuggets. But it's difficult to heat up the whole kitchen in summers. And air fryer plays a magical role in baking them perfectly crispy. And that too in lesser time.

    Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets?

    If you're looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to chicken nuggets, air fryer tofu nuggets are a perfect choice. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they're ready in less than 30 minutes.

    They are made from tofu, a plant-based protein that is low in calories and fat but high in protein and fiber.

    And since they're cooked in an air fryer, they're perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You will love these simple yet delicious nuggets.

    This is a high-protein vegan food too. These are easy to make yet delicious in taste. Perfect vegan appetizers for any parties you are hosting. Again these are plant-based and oil-free nuggets.

    Again these are great vegan snacks for kids as well. These are very much kids friendly. Adjust spices (heat) as per the taste of kids. My kiddo loves these tofu nuggets.

    air fryer tofu nuggets
    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

    Though this is great as an appetizer as it is, I love to add them to the tacos. So when I make these tofu nuggets, I do other preparations for my tacos too. Or stuff them in sub and serve as a full meal. Add them to your dinner as sides. Completely versatile.

    This goes well with any sauces and dips. To make this spicy, coat them with any hot sauce, buffalo sauce bang bang sauce, etc. Or serve them with classic tomato ketchup. My go-to dip for any appetizers.

    air fryer tofu nuggets tacos

    How to make air fryer tofu nuggets?

    You can make air fryer tofu in 2 ways. I do coat with bread crumbs for nuggets, either panko or normal brown bread crumbs. 2nd method is just to put the tofu in marinade for flavor. and then air fry for said time.

    Ingredients:-

    Tofu - extra firm or super firm tofu

    Broth or marinade of choice

    Batter - Flour, corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, plant-based milk

    For coating - bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, pepper

    Instruction to make tofu nuggets

    For a more chicken-like texture, the secret formula is freeze and thaw. This gives more chewy chicken-like nuggets. If you want a regular nugget, then no need to freeze it.

    Preparation:- Soak in the marinade

    Once you thaw it for a few hours, takeout from the packet and press the tofu using 2 plates or a tofu press. This will remove the excess water and will add more space for marinade flavors. Now cut this into 2 slices. Then marinate in broth for at least 30 minutes.

    If you don't have broth, make your own marinade by mixing soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast (optional), and water.

    Then take out the tofu slice and cut it into pieces or break it into bite-sized pieces. Shake off for excess liquid. Keep them on a plate.

    Preheat the air fryer

    Preheat the air fryer at 400 F 0r 200 C for 3 minutes.

    Coat the tofu

    In a bowl add flour, corn starch, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Add plant-based milk to make a smooth batter of coating consistency. Sidewise on a plate add bread crumbs and add nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, and pepper as per taste.

    Now take the pieces and dip them in the flour batter. Then roll it on bread crumbs to coat nicely. Repeat for all pieces. And keep them all on a dry plate.

    Air fry the breaded tofu

    Remove the air fryer basket and spray little oil to grease. However, you can skip this. They won't be sticky at all. Place the breaded tofu inside the basket and place it in the air fryer. Start the air fryer at 400F for 15 minutes. Spray little oil or brush them lightly.

    (Or skip it totally. Oil brings a little browning effect. But totally optional and you can make your oil-free tofu nuggets. )

    Now flip or shake in the midway at around 8 minutes mark. If you need some more crispy, increase 3 - 5 minutes more checking every 2 minutes after that. Crispy golden brown tofu nuggets are ready to serve.

    tofu nuggets
    Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

    Air fryer tofu nuggets without breadcrumbs

    To make crispy tofu nuggets that are not breaded, follow the above steps. Skip the step on coating the tofu. Rest all instructions are the same.

    You can choose your own marinade mixture and customize it as per what flavor you need in your tofu.

    Tofu is normally bland in taste and absorbs flavors of spices from the marinade only. So the taste and flavor depend on the marinade mixture. Check out my other crispy tofu recipes here.

    Air fry at 400F for 10 minutes flipping the midways. Spray oil on top or skip.

    Crispy tofu is ready in just 10 minutes.

    tofu nuggets
    Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
    vegan chicken nuggets - tofu recipes

    Air Fryer Tofu

    Ipsa Faujdar
    Air fryer tofu is easy and quick to make. Make them for appetizer or sides. These are just delicious.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Soaking time 30 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2

    Equipment

    • Air-fryer
    • Mixing bowls
    • Oil sprayer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 block tofu extra firm
    • 1 cup broth or marinade

    Batter Mix

    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 2 tbsp corn starch
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1/2 salt or as per taste

    Bread Crumb Mix

    • 1 cup bread crumb panko or brown
    • 1/2 tsp onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1/4 tsp salt

    Instructions
     

    • Freeze the tofu over night and thaw for 3 - 4 hours.
    • Or use fresh tofu from refrigerator.
    • Press excess water using tofu press.
    • Slice the tofu into two pieces.
    • Place them in broth and soak for 30 minutes.
    • Then remove from the marinade and cut into pieces.
    • Shake off excess liquid and place on a dry plate.

    Prepare batter

    • In a mixing bowl, add flour, corn starch and spices mentioned above in ingredients list.
    • Add plant-based milk or water to make batter of coating consistency.

    Prepare bread crumb mix

    • Sidewise in a plate add bread crumbs and add nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, and pepper as per taste. Mix well.

    Preheat the air fryer

    • Preheat the air fryer at 400 F or 200 C for 5 minutes.

    Coat the Tofu

    • Now take the pieces and dip it in the flour batter.
    • Then roll it on bread crumbs to coat nicely.
    • Repeat for all pieces. And keep them all on a dry plate.

    Air fry the tofu nuggets

    • Remove the air fryer basket and spray little oil to grease.
    • However, you can skip this. They won't be sticky at all.
    • Place the breaded tofu inside the basket and place it in the air fryer.
    • Start the air fryer at 400F for 15 minutes. Spray little oil or brush them lightly. Or skip it totally.
    • Flip them in the midways at 8 minutes mark.
    • After 15 minutes, check the tofu nuggets.
    • If you want more crispy, fry for 3 - 5 minutes more.
    • Serve the nuggets with any dips or sauces.

    Air fryer Tofu without breadcrumbs

    • Marinate the tofu block with marinade mix or spice mix.
    • Place them directly in the air fryer basket and spray a little oil.
    • Air fry them for for 10 minutes.
    • Flip or shake them in the midways at 5 minutes mark.
    • Crispy tofu is ready to serve.
    Keyword Air Fryer Tofu, Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets, Tofu Nuggets
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    Hi, I'm Ipsa! Welcome to My Dainty Kitchen. I'm the recipe developer, cook, author, and photographer of this blog. I love to cook delicious food and share recipes with my amazing readers. Thank you for stopping by. Explore more yummy recipes on the blog.

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