Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

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Have you been looking for the perfect tofu nugget recipe? Look no further! These crispy air fryer tofu nuggets are the best and so easy to make.

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe - Build Your Bite (1)

Tofu is one of my favorite versatile vegetarian proteins, but texture is very important.

It is naturally very soft, so you have to cook it right to be able to get that firm and meaty texture instead of a soft and mushy one.

These air fryer nuggets are insanely crispy, and are the best meat like texture nugget that I have ever made.

The inside is very similar to the texture of store bought vegetarian chicken nuggets!

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Why should I freeze tofu?

This recipe has one different, but very important step: freezing the tofu.

Never heard of freezing tofu? Me neither until recently!

When I read that freezing tofu resulted in a much more meaty texture that did not fall apart, I just knew I had to try it!

As Food52 explains, “When the tofu freezes, its water turns to ice crystals, which create small, sponge-like holes that remain once the tofu is thawed and the ice turns into water.”

The result? Firmer and chewier tofu that soaks up sauces and dips like a dream!

How to freeze tofu

Drain a block of extra firm tofu and wrap it in a dish towel.

Place something heavy, such as a cast iron skillet on top and press for 10 minutes to remove some of the liquid.

Place the tofu in a container or ziploc bag and freeze until solid.

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How to make air fryer tofu nuggets

Ok, so now you have frozen your tofu, what is next?

Remove your tofu from the freezer and place on a plate. Microwave for 3 – 5 minutes, until thawed.

Place the tofu in a dish towel again and press out the remaining liquid, this should only take around 30 seconds thanks to freezing the tofu!

Next, tear your block of tofu into bite sized pieces.

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The breading for these air fryer tofu nuggets will be panko bread crumbs.

To make the batter for dipping, in a bowl you will combine the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and nutritional yeast.

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Dip each tofu nugget in the batter, shake off any excess, then dip in the panko bread crumbs to coat.

Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray.

Place the breaded tofu bites into the air fryer basket.

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How long you will air fry will depend on your air fryer model.

I did 5 minutes at 400 degrees, then shook the tofu around before air frying an additional 3 – 5 minutes and they were super crispy!

I just can’t get over how incredible the texture was! These nuggets are super crispy on the outside, and incredibly “meaty” on the inside.

These would be divine dipped in my homemade chick fil a sauce!

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More tofu recipes you might like

  • Teriyaki Tofu
  • Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
  • Air Fryer Mushrooms
  • Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
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Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

These crispy air fryer tofu nuggets have a delicious hearty texture and taste amazing with your favorite dipping sauce!

Ingredients

  • 1 block extra firm tofu, frozen (see instructions)

For the batter

  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

For the breading

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Drain a block of tofu and place on a dish towel, then place something heavy on it such as a cast iron skillet, for 10 minutes
  2. Place the tofu in a container or bag and freeze until solid.
  3. Once frozen, remove the tofu block from the freezer and microwave for 3 - 5 minutes, until thawed.
  4. Place the tofu block on a towel and press out the remaining water using your hands or something heavy. This should only take 30 seconds since the tofu has been frozen.
  5. Mix the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and nutritional yeast in a medium sized bowl
  6. Place the panko bread crumbs in a separate bowl
  7. Tear the tofu into bite sized pieces
  8. Dip each piece of tofu in the batter, shake off any excess, then roll in the panko bread crumbs
  9. Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray, then place the breaded tofu bites into the basket
  10. Repeat batter and breading until all tofu is coated and placed in the air fryer
  11. Air fry the tofu nuggets at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then shake and flip the tofu
  12. Air fry an additional 3 - 8 minutes until browned and crispy.
  13. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 270Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 735mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 18g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tofu not crispy in the air fryer? ›

If the cubes are too crowded in the basket, they won't crisp up as they cook. Feel free to work in batches if necessary! Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it's crisp and browned around the edges.

How long to cook nuggets in an air fryer? ›

Heat the air-fryer to 200C, then cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) for 10-12 mins until cooked through and golden brown. Serve with ketchup, if you like.

Is tofu better pan fried or air fried? ›

Air Fryer Tofu is hands down the best way to get crispy, flavorful tofu that cooks in just 10 minutes! Toss it in a buddha bowl or add to vegetable stir fry or salad. This tofu tastes good nearly anywhere! If you love this tofu, you will love my popular Marinated Tofu recipe!

What are tofu nuggets made of? ›

Ingredients
  • Deselect All.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • One 14-ounce brick (about 400 grams) extra firm tofu.
  • 1 cup (60 grams) panko breadcrumbs.
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (48 grams) all-purpose flour.
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch.
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

How do I get crispy results in my air fryer? ›

A drier surface helps achieve a crispier texture. Season your food with your preferred herbs, spices, or marinades, keeping in mind that air fryers require less seasoning than traditional methods. Consider lightly coating your ingredients with oil to enhance crispiness, but try not to overdo it.

Should you flip nuggets in an air fryer? ›

The Best Air Fryers

It's also best to give most smaller foods (such as cauliflower florets, french fries, or chicken nuggets) a good shake or toss in the middle of the cooking cycle to expose new parts of the food to the heating element.

Is an air fryer healthy? ›

Are Air-Fried Foods Better for You? By most measures, air frying is healthier than frying in oil. It cuts calories by 70% to 80% and has a lot less fat. This cooking method might also cut down on some of the other harmful effects of oil frying.

Do you need to preheat an air fryer? ›

"We recommend using a three-minute preheat for most models," says Shah. For larger and oven-style air fryers, preheat for five minutes. Once the preheat timer has elapsed, add the food in a single layer (handling the basket carefully since it will be hot) and cook according to the recipe.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

Can I eat fried tofu everyday? ›

Eating tofu and other soy foods every day is generally considered safe. That said, you may want to moderate your intake if you have: Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake.

What is the best oil for frying tofu? ›

Type of oil to use for frying tofu: Canola is great and so are vegetable/soybean oil and refined peanut oil. In general, choose a neutral-flavored oil that has a high smoking point. That is, don't deep-fry with sesame oil.

Is fried tofu healthier than meat? ›

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Why is tofu healthier than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Does McDonald's use tofu? ›

McDonald's has introduced a tofu-stuffed spin on its beloved Chicken McNuggets, available starting today (but only in Japan—sorry!). The tofu shinjo nuggets, which are chicken-free, are a unique mashup of tofu, soybeans, onions, carrots and minced fish. (Poor vegetarian readers—did you all totally just lose interest?)

Why are things not getting crispy in air fryer? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Why can't I get my tofu crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

Why are my air fryer chips not crisp? ›

Why Are My Air Fryer Potato Chips Not Crispy? If your potato chips aren't crispy, it's likely because your potatoes were not completely dry before you started cooking, or you did not soak and rinse them long enough. Using too much oil could also make your potato chips less crispy.

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam, not brown. Only add as many as will fit in a single layer. Then, air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.

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