Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets (oil-free)

These Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets are so easy & delicious to make! This recipe is healthy, vegan, whole food plant based, gluten free, oil free and super simple. They are the best snack and also great for topping bowls & salads. Dip in your favorite BBQ sauce and eat them like they were vegan Chick-fil-A nuggets - that’s what my kids say they taste like. #wfpb #tofuairfryerrecipe #tofuairfryernuggets #vegan #healthyveganrecipes #plantbased #airfryer #tofu #crispytofunuggets #oil free #glutenfree

These crispy air fryer tofu nuggets are so tasty! My kids think they look and taste like Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, but they're WFPB & healthy!

Prep Time30

Cook Time15

Total Time45

Servings:

Calories: 75kcal

Author: Kim Murphy

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

14 ounces extra firm tofu drained & pressed for at least 30 minutes
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos for gluten & soy free
1 tablespoon low sodium vegetable broth or water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt optional
2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder

Instructions

After you've drained & pressed your tofu, place on a cutting board & slice into 1" cubes.
Mix low sodium soy sauce & vegetable broth together in a small bowl.
In a separate small bowl, add all the dry ingredients & mix together (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, black pepper, salt, & cornstarch).
Place cubes in a medium sized bowl & toss with the soy sauce mixture (or you can put in a ziplock bag to marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge for more flavor).
Coat the tofu with the dry spices and toss well. It's ok if you have broken pieces - they'll end up super crispy & tasty!
Place cubes in the basket of your air fryer (no need to spray with oil) in a single layer and leave a little space around each piece. (you may have to do separate batches depending on the size of your air fryer)
Set your air fryer to 400°. Cook for 5 minutes, then use a spatula to flip them/shake basket and repeat 2-3 more times until desired crispness. 10-15 minutes total.
Remove tofu & allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy as a snack, salad topper, or main dish! Serve plain or with sauce of choice. Great to dip in BBQ sauce!

Notes

I have this tofu press and love it! https://amzn.to/2ZsseMD
If you don't have a tofu press, drain & wrap tofu in kitchen towels, then place a small plate on top with a heavy item, like a book.
Important - make sure you buy EXTRA FIRM tofu. FIRM tofu is ok, but will break a part more easily. Make sure it's NOT soft tofu, which is for smoothies and creamy dishes.
For lower sodium, just use vegetable broth to marinate the tofu and leave out the salt.
These tofu bites can be refrigerated for up to a week - but they probably won't last that long because they're so good!
Feel free to change up the seasonings however you like or just try soy sauce or balsamic vinegar only for a quick marinade.

Baking Instructions (if you don't have an Air Fryer):

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Spread cubes out in one layer on the baking sheet, with space between each piece. Bake for 45 minutes, flipping every 15 minutes or until desired crispness.

Nutrition