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WHAT IS VEGAN CHICKEN NUGGETS?
These Kid-friendly Tofu Nuggets are a winner in my home, my children love them with barbecue sauce or ketchup. They are definitely a great crowd pleaser and a good way to introduce tofu to those who are unfamiliar.
They remind me of chicken nuggets or popcorn chicken but they are way healthier and delicious without the guilt. You can substitute the brown rice flour with cornstarch. If you prefer to fry them that is okay, it is up to you, they taste great, the choice is yours!
I have been making these Baked Tofu Nuggets for over 10 years, and we never get tired of them. They remind me of my Vegan Chicken Nuggets, Cauliflower Nuggets, and Baked Onion Rings, they just never get old!
How To Make Tofu Chicken Nuggets
How To Make Vegan Tofu Nuggets?
Vegan chicken nuggets are so easy to prepare and the taste is indulgent, that even the most critical guest will be blown away by the results. First of all, I only buy super-firm tofu because I hate to press the water out firm or x-firm tofu.
They are more expensive but when I’m cooking, for the most part, I prefer quick and easy recipes, that’s just how I am. I now purchase my Super-Firm Tofu from Trader Joe’s. Once you try super-firm tofu, you will never go back, the texture is amazing!
If you cannot get super-firm tofu near you to make these Baked Tofu Nuggets, then you can use a tofu press (purchase online) to squeeze out excess water or you can wrap tofu in paper towel and place on a plate.
Next to put another plate on top of the tofu block and add a heavy object on top, such as heavy books on top of the plate. The time it takes to drain the excess water depends on the weight on top of the plate. So it could take half an hour or a couple of hours.
Cut tofu into cubes, prepare the breading and set aside. Toss tofu with Bragg’s liquid Aminos followed by vegan mayonnaise and finally with the breading. Lay in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crisp.
Tips For Making Tofu Nuggets
- Choose extra-firm or superfirm tofu.
- Press excess water from the tofu
- Marinate tofu in the Bragg’s Liquid Aminos for at least 20 minutes.
Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Courses: Appetizer, Entrée, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
(Per 100g)- Energy: 203 kcal / 849 kJ
- Fat: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Carbs: 14 g
Cooking Time
- Preparation: 10 min
- Cooking: 30 min
- Ready in: 45 min
- For:
- 5 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound super-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon Bragg's liquid aminos, Tamari soy sauce (gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup vegan mayo, (optional)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 1/4 cup brown rice flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of Cayenne pepper, (optional)
Instructions
- If using firm or x-firm tofu, press tofu between paper towels to remove excess water. Then cut into strips or cubes and marinate with Bragg's liquid aminos for 20 minutes. (If you are using the vegan mayo, mix it with the Bragg's liquid aminos and coat it with the tofu. Then you will proceed to coat with dry ingredients as follows.)
- In another bowl combine the remaining ingredients well. Coat tofu with dry herb mix and place on a greased baking sheet. You may spray with oil at this point.
- Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes turning halfway. You may also cook on a lightly oiled frying pan until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Tossing the tofu with vegan mayo allows the breading to stick much better.
I’d like to add this to a hummus veggie wrap for a heartier meal. Do you think this would work well in it or is it best served alone with a dip
It will work exceptionally well, enjoy!
These were excellent-it was my first tofu dish. I also used the same breading recipe on my daughter’s chicken. She loved it and it was perfect for her gluten free diet. Thank you
Made these in the air fryer today. Did not use the flour but the spices stuck well and the tofu was crispy and delicious. I did 400 for 20 minutes
Diane, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
These were amazing, I started licking my fingers from prep to final product.
Hehehe, I’m so happy you enjoyed them. I appreciate your feedback.
I made these today. I used more liquid aminos for the marinade and about half the salt in the dry ingredients. Baked em in the airfryer! They were perfect! Thanks, Michelle!
Michelle, I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Hi Michelle
Do you ever use an air fryer for these?
Thanks
Donna 💜
Hello Donna, I haven’t done them in an Air Fryer as yet but I’m sure they will turn out great in one.
Can you use almond flour instead?
Anna, I believe someone in the comments said they did. I hope you enjoy it.
Baked tofu nuggets are delicious added extra cayenne pepper
Joan, I’m so happy you enjoyed them. thank you for sharing your feedback.
This looks wonderful! However, I can’t eat nightshades. Do you think this will work without the paprika?
Absolutely, it will be fine!
These were a hit with my kids too! First tofu receipe that my kids approve. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, that’s wonderful to read, I’m so happy for your kids’ approval. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
So gooood! Thanks so much for sharing!
Deb, I am so happy you enjoyed it, thank you for sharing your feedback.
How would this do in an air fryer? I’ve bought these from a vegan restaurant and love them – always wanted to learn to make them myself. Can’t wait!
APeets. when you do please share with our readers how it turned out and the settings you used.
I just used your recipe to prepare tofu to be added at the last minute to a stir fry of onions, garlic, ginger and several large sweet peppers in a sauce of combined soy sauce and oyster sauce. The crispness of the tofu cubes was retained and they had absorbed some of the flavors of the sauce. I served it on fried noodles. Excellent!
These were absolutely amazing! Even my non-vegan friends/family liked them! Thank you so much!
OMG! This is so fantastic! I always said that being a vegan, I only miss the chicken nuggets and fill chicken fingers (always a favorite of mine) Now, with this amazing receipe, I miss them no more! Thank you!!!!
That’s awesome Martyna, I’m so honored to read this. Thank you for your feedback.
I have made this recipe several times. It is so good.
Thank you very much Lindsey for your feedback. I’m happy you love it!
Yummy..healthy??????
This was incredible, I’m shook. I used an inexpensive tofu press, which tool 10 mins Followed the recipe minus the flour and oil. Sprayed a little Pam on the cookie sheet. The best recipe I have made to date actually, thank you!
Thank you Lisa for your feedback, I’m so happy you loved it.
I live in Ithaca, NY, possible tofu capital of the northeast and we have no such thing as thing as super extra firm tofu here! Is this some sort of tofu conspiracy to keep super extra firm tofu from those trained to start the tofu drying before leaving for work in the morning? I feel played by the tofu mob!
Lol Deborah, didn’t know that Ithaca was the tofu capital. If you have a Trader Joe’s near you then you can purchase it. This is what it looks like https://www.fooducate.com/app#!page=product&id=64652CE4-5983-11E2-AD7C-1231381A4CEA
This looks amazing! I’m eager to try it!
Thank you Debbie, hope you do :)
Amazing!! Second time I am making it in a week. Thank you!
Awesome, so glad you love it!
I thought it was great! I didn’t have brown rice flour so used whole wheat flour instead.
Awesome Spencer, thank you for your feedback. I love the result with brown rice flour hope you get to try it with it in the future!