Air-Fried Tofu Nuggets
I decided to try my sister in law’s air fryer to make some tofu nuggets and I was surprised by the result! Who knew mixing up breadcrumbs and sesame seeds could turn tofu into insanely crunchy snacks? So good!
Plus, Alex whipped up this amazing dip to go with it—talk about a match made in foodie heaven! So, come along with me as I share the recipe to making these unexpectedly awesome tofu nuggets that’ll have you hooked from the first bite!
📝 Ingredients you’ll need to make these tofu nuggets
I used a mix of ingredients to coat the air-fried tofu nuggets, giving them a crispy layer. While the combination might not be the most common, it ended up delicious.
Here are the exact ingredients I’ve used:
- 250 grams of tofu
Batter mixture:
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 10 tablespoons of potato starch
- 4 tablespoons of unsweetened soy drink (or any other plant-based milk)
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
Coating:
- 8 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (about 45 grams of bread)
- 8 tablespoons of sesame seeds, I preferred the whole ones.
👩🏻🍳 How I made these air-fried tofu nuggets
To make this recipe, I started by pulverizing the bread, which I had saved from the day before, in a food processor. I combined it with the sesame seeds in a bowl and set it aside.
For the batter, I combined garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried basil, soy sauce, and unsweetened soy drink in a bowl and stirred well. Then I folded in the potato starch until it was evenly mixed, creating a sticky coating for the tofu. If the mixture is too liquid, add a little starch. If it’s too thick, add a little soy drink and soy sauce.
Next, I cut the tofu into nugget-shaped pieces, although stick shapes would work just as well.
Then I established the assembly line:
The bowl with the batter, next to the bowl with the bread + sesame seeds, next to the air fryer basket. I dipped a piece of tofu in the batter with one hand, then coated it in the mixture of breadcrumbs and sesame seeds with the other hand (otherwise it all becomes a big mess 😁), and then placed it in the air fryer. I repeated the process for each piece of tofu until it was finished.
Before cooking them, I drizzled a little olive oil on top, which is optional.
The nuggets were then cooked in the air fryer at 180°C for about 18 minutes. Halfway through, I gave them a gentle shake to make sure they didn’t stick, and voilá, they were done and ready to eat.
💡 Tips & Variations
- I used a neutral-tasting tofu from a Portuguese brand called Shambhala, which I found to be particularly good for this recipe, but any high-quality tofu should produce similar crispy results.
- Although the batter in this recipe is my favorite, I experimented with a mixture of plant-based yogurt, lemon juice, and plant-based drink and it was also very good. In this case, it’s a good idea to involve the tofu pieces in some spices before coating them in the batter.
- The breadcrumbs + sesame seeds coating was the winner at home, but I have to say that I’m also a big fan of the ground cornflakes coating. I grind some flakes finely and others more coarsely, and it turns out great. 👌
Finally, Alex made a vegan honey mustard dip to go with these tofu nuggets, and it turned out pretty amazing. If you’re interested in the recipe, you can check it out here.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make gluten-free tofu nuggets in the air fryer?
Sure thing! You can substitute soy sauce with gluten-free tamari for the batter. For the outer layer, you may replace the bread with gluten-free bread or, for instance, gluten-free cornflakes.
Another option is to use only sesame seeds.
For how long can I store these tofu nuggets before they go bad?
They can usually be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. However, the ideal way to enjoy them is to eat them immediately while they are still crunchy.
Air-Fried Tofu Nuggets
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 2 people 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Treat yourself to these deliciously crispy and flavorful tofu nuggets, coated in a delightful mix of sesame seeds and breadcrumbs. With a savory garlic and sweet paprika batter, each bite offers a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (about 45 grams of bread)
- 8 tablespoons of sesame seeds (used whole seeds)
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 4 tablespoons of unsweetened soy drink
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 10 tablespoons of potato starch
- 250 grams of tofu
- Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Pulverize the bread in a food processor.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with the sesame seeds in a bowl and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the garlic, sweet paprika, basil, soy sauce, and soy drink. Gradually add the potato starch, stirring well, and set aside.
- Cut tofu into nugget shapes.
- Dip a piece of tofu in the batter with one hand, then coat in the breadcrumb and sesame seed mixture with the other hand, and place it in the air fryer. Repeat for each piece of tofu until they are finished.
- Drizzle olive oil on top (optional).
- Cook nuggets in the air fryer at 180°C for 18 minutes. Halfway through, gently shake the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Serve along with your favorite dip and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer, you can use bought breadcrumbs instead of crushing them at home.
- If the batter is too liquid add a little more starch, if it becomes too thick add a little a bit of soy drink and soy sauce.
- The cooking time can differ based on your air fryer model. And if the basket is small, you might need to fry in batches – like I did twice.
- The nuggets taste amazing with this vegan honey mustard sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
🙏🏻 Before you go, I’ve got a favor to ask!
I’d love to get your feedback on this recipe! Feel free to leave a comment below detailing your experience— and let others know how you feel about it!
Of course, you can also ask any questions you may have about the recipe— and we’ll try to respond ASAP.
