If you’ve been searching for a plant-based treat that’s bursting with flavor and crunch, look no further than this Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe. These nuggets manage to capture the juicy, satisfying bite of classic chicken nuggets, while being completely vegan and packed with delightful textures. Each cube of tofu is marinated to perfection, encased in a double layer of crispy batter, and fried until golden brown—making them absolutely irresistible for tofu lovers and skeptics alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right ingredients together is key to nailing this Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, maintaining the perfect texture, and delivering that unforgettable crispy exterior.
- Extra-firm or super-firm tofu: Freezing and thawing the tofu first helps create a firmer texture that holds up beautifully during cooking.
- Vegetable broth: Provides a subtle savory base for the marinade, adding depth without overwhelming the tofu.
- Nutritional yeast flakes: Impart a cheesy, umami flavor that enhances the “chicken-like” taste of the nuggets.
- Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and richness, ensuring every bite is packed with seasoning.
- Spices (cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika): These give the nuggets their classic savory notes and a subtle warmth.
- Non-dairy milk and white vinegar: Create a vegan buttermilk substitute for a tenderizing batter.
- Flour, ground flaxseed, cornstarch: Form the crispy coating that makes these nuggets so deliciously crunchy.
- Canola oil: Ideal for frying thanks to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
- Vegan barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce: The perfect finishing touch for dunking these crispy delights.
How to Make Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Tofu
Start by pressing your frozen, thawed tofu cubes to squeeze out excess water. This step ensures your nuggets won’t be soggy and will hold their shape throughout frying. Once the tofu is ready, place it in a shallow dish and get ready to infuse it with flavor.
Step 2: Marinating the Tofu
Mix the vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and spices to form a delicious marinade. Pour this over your tofu cubes and let them soak up every bit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Turning the pieces occasionally helps every side soak in all that goodness, resulting in deeply flavored nuggets.
Step 3: Making the Batter and Breading
While your tofu marinates, whisk together the batter ingredients—a creamy blend of non-dairy milk, vinegar, flour, ground flaxseed, and salt—which will keep the nuggets moist on the inside. Then, prepare the breading mixture using flour, cornstarch, paprika, and spices to achieve that irresistible crunch and beautiful golden color.
Step 4: Frying to Crispy Perfection
Heat a generous layer of canola oil in a skillet until shimmering. Take each tofu cube, roll it first in the breading, then completely coat it in batter, and once again back in the breading. This double coating is the secret to the ultimate crispiness. Fry the nuggets in batches, cooking each side for about 4 minutes or until gorgeously golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
How to Serve Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe with simple garnishes like freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of smoked paprika. These add a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor that makes the presentation as mouthwatering as the taste.
Side Dishes
These nuggets pair wonderfully with classic sides like crispy oven-baked fries, fresh coleslaw, or a vibrant green salad. For something different, try creamy mashed potatoes or steamed veggies to balance the crunchy bites with soft, comforting textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving these nuggets on a platter with an array of dipping sauces—think tangy barbecue, creamy vegan ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo—can turn any casual meal into a fun, interactive feast. You can also turn them into sliders or toss them into a salad for a hearty, protein-packed twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the nuggets fresh while allowing you to savor them again without losing too much of their crispy texture.
Freezing
To freeze, first lay the cooked nuggets out on a baking sheet to flash freeze until solid—this prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months. This way, you can always have a tasty snack ready in a pinch.
Reheating
For the best experience when reheating, bake your frozen or refrigerated nuggets in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes. This method revives their crispiness without making them soggy—nothing beats that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch!
FAQs
Can I use regular tofu instead of frozen tofu?
While you can use unfrozen firm tofu, freezing and thawing the tofu improves its texture by making it denser and chewier, which helps it hold up better during frying and gives a more satisfying nugget bite.
Is it necessary to double coat the tofu in batter and breading?
Absolutely! The double coating creates that addictive crispy exterior while locking in moisture, giving you nuggets that are crunchy outside and tender inside—a key highlight of the Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe.
Can these nuggets be baked instead of fried?
Yes! For a lighter version, bake the coated tofu pieces at 425°F (220°C) for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. While they won’t be quite as crispy as fried, they’ll still be delightfully tasty.
What dipping sauces go best with these tofu nuggets?
Vegan barbecue sauce is a classic choice, but you can also try vegan ranch, spicy mayo, honey mustard, or even a tangy buffalo sauce to suit your mood and cravings.
How long do these nuggets take to prepare?
Including marinating time, prepping and cooking your Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe takes about one hour. The most important part is giving the tofu enough time to soak up the flavors for maximum deliciousness.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe, it will quickly become a go-to favorite. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy tofu with crispy, golden-brown goodness and hearty flavor in every bite. Whether you’re a long-time tofu lover or just dipping your toes into plant-based eating, these nuggets make a ridiculously tasty, comforting meal that’s sure to impress. Grab your ingredients and start cooking—you won’t regret a single nugget!
Print
Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 56 minutes (excluding freeze time)
- Yield: 4 servings (16 nuggets)
- Category: Entree
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets are a delicious and irresistible vegan alternative to traditional chicken nuggets. Made with extra-firm tofu marinated in a flavorful blend of vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and spices, they’re coated in a crispy double breading and fried to golden perfection. Perfectly juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, these nuggets make a great snack or meal, paired with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Tofu
- 1 (14 ounce or 400 gram) package extra-firm or super-firm tofu, frozen then thawed, then cut into 16 cubes
For the Marinade
- ¾ cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Batter
- 1 cup unsweetened and unflavored non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Breading
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For Frying
- ⅓ cup canola oil, or more, as needed
For Serving
- Vegan barbecue sauce, or dipping sauce of choice
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Place the tofu cubes on a kitchen towel and gently press them to squeeze out any excess water, then transfer them to a shallow dish to prepare for marinating.
- Marinate the tofu: Stir together the marinade ingredients—vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, ground cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder—in a small container. Pour this mixture over the tofu cubes and let them marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, turning the pieces occasionally to ensure even flavor absorption.
- Prepare the batter: Whisk the batter ingredients—non-dairy milk, white vinegar, all-purpose flour, ground flaxseed, and salt—together in a small bowl until smooth. Let the batter sit for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
- Prepare the breading: While the batter rests, combine all the breading ingredients—flour, cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt—in a separate bowl and whisk thoroughly.
- Heat the oil: Pour at least ⅛ inch of canola oil into the bottom of a medium nonstick skillet and heat it over medium heat until the oil shimmers, indicating it is hot enough for frying.
- Coat the tofu – first breading: Remove a tofu cube from the marinade, optionally rolling it one last time in the marinade to soak up flavor. Roll the tofu cube in the breading mixture until evenly coated.
- Coat the tofu – batter: Transfer the breaded tofu cube into the batter and roll it around to coat thoroughly with the batter.
- Coat the tofu – second breading: Remove the tofu from the batter and immediately place it back into the breading mixture, rolling it again to cover with a second layer of breading for extra crispiness.
- Fry the tofu: Carefully place the double-coated tofu cube into the hot oil. Repeat the battering and breading steps for as many tofu pieces as will fit in the skillet without crowding. Fry for about 4 minutes on each side until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy.
- Drain excess oil: Transfer the cooked tofu nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil. Continue frying the remaining tofu cubes in batches, adding more oil to the skillet as needed to maintain the proper frying depth.
- Serve: Serve the crispy tofu chicken nuggets hot with vegan barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty and satisfying meal or snack.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu well helps remove excess moisture, which is essential for achieving crispy nuggets.
- Freezing and thawing the tofu before preparation improves its texture, making it firmer and chewier, akin to chicken.
- The double breading (breading-batter-breading) creates an extra-crispy coating that holds well during frying.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and confirm that the breading ingredients are gluten-free.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for best frying results.
- These nuggets can be frozen before frying; freeze them on a baking sheet for about 6 hours, then fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
