Looking for a vegan alternative to chicken nuggets? Look no further than these easy air fryer tofu nuggets! Made with just a few simple ingredients, these nuggets are delicious, super crispy, and perfect for a quick and easy meal. Pair them with our tahini maple mustard sauce for a perfect dipping combination.
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If you're looking for a delicious, plant-based alternative to chicken nuggets, look no further than these easy vegan air fryer tofu nuggets! Made with just a few simple ingredients, these nuggets are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus, they're ready in just minutes, making them the perfect weeknight meal or snack. They're extra crispy and flavorful and will be a hit with the whole family. So go ahead and give them a try - you won't be disappointed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These vegan air fryer tofu nuggets are a real treat. We think vegans and non-vegans alike will love them and here are some reasons why:
- They're crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Quick and easy to make.
- A flavorful and guilt-free alternative to chicken nuggets.
What You’ll Need To Make Vegan Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Tofu Nuggets
- Plant milk of your choice: I like to use Ripple, which is a pea protein plant milk, but any plant milk will work. Almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk are all great alternatives.
- All-purpose flour: This will be used to coat the nuggets and help them get nice and crispy. The flour is used both in the batter and in the breading itself.
- Bread crumbs: I like to use panko bread crumbs because they're extra crispy, but you can use any bread crumbs you have on hand.
- Nutritional yeast: This is a vegan staple that adds a nice cheesy flavor to the nuggets. If you don't have it on hand, you can omit it or substitute it with parmesan cheese if you're happy with a non-vegan alternative.
- Paprika: This gives the nuggets a nice smoky flavor.
- Garlic powder: This adds a bit of sweetness and depth of flavor to the nuggets.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
Tahini Maple Mustard Sauce
- Tahini: This is a sesame paste that's used in a lot of Middle Eastern dishes. It's thick and creamy and adds a delicious nutty flavor to the sauce.
- Mustard: I like to use dijon mustard mustard for this recipe, but you can use any mustard you have on hand.
- Maple syrup: This adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce. You can substitute with honey if you're not vegan.
- Apple cider vinegar: This gives the sauce a nice tangy flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Water: To thin the sauce to the desired consistency.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. You'll want your tofu to be well-pressed for this recipe to ensure that the nuggets are nice and crispy.
Next, slice the tofu into eight equal slices, and then use your hands to tear each slice into 3 to 4 pieces. This will give the nuggets a more rustic look.
Once you've prepared the tofu, mix ½ cup plant milk, ½ cup flour, and 2 teaspoon dijon mustard together and season with salt and pepper.
Next, mix the ingredients for the breading together in a separate bowl.
Once you have the batter and breading prepared in separate bowls, take a piece of tofu and coat it in the batter, then transfer it to the bowl with the breading mix and coat it generously.
Place the tofu nugget into the air fryer basket and repeat with the remaining pieces of tofu.
Air fry the nuggets at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 minutes, flipping the nuggets over at the halfway point.
While the nuggets cook, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Add a splash of water to achieve your desired consistency for the sauce.
Serve the nuggets with the sauce and some fresh parsley and lemon slices. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
These vegan air fryer tofu nuggets are great on their own as a snack or appetizer. They would also be delicious served with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple green salad.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the nuggets in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping them over at the halfway point.
If you're not vegan, you can substitute the plant milk and tahini maple mustard sauce for regular milk and honey mustard sauce. You can also use parmesan cheese in place of nutritional yeast.
Feel free to mix it up with the seasoning for these nuggets. You can add any spices or herbs you like. Some other great options include chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, basil, or oregano.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftover nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. They can also be frozen and reheated as needed. When reheating, I recommend air frying or baking the nuggets until they're nice and crispy. The microwave will work in a pinch, but they won't be quite as crispy.
Assuming you want to have leftovers (because these nuggets are just that good), I highly recommend making a double batch. They freeze and reheat really well in the air fryer, so it's great to have some on hand for a quick and easy snack or meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of tofu is best for air frying?
A: I prefer to use firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe, but you could probably get away with using medium-firm. Just be aware that the texture will be a bit different.
Q: Can I make these nuggets gluten-free?
A: Yes, you can easily make these nuggets gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Q: What is the nutritional yeast used for?
A: The nutritional yeast is used to add a cheesy flavor to the nuggets. It's optional, but I think it really adds something special to the dish.
Q: What can I use in place of tahini?
A: If you don't have tahini, you can use peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter for the sauce. You can also keep it simple and just mix maple syrup and mustard together for a quick and easy mustard maple sauce.
Q: Do I have to use tofu for this recipe?
A: No, you don't have to use tofu. You could also use tempeh, seitan, or plant-based "chicken" strips. Just be aware that the cooking time may vary depending on what you use.
Q: Can I make these nuggets without an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can bake the nuggets in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping them over at the halfway point.
Q: Can I marinate the tofu first in this recipe?
A: Yes, you could marinate the tofu in a mixture of tamari, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour before proceeding with the recipe. Just be sure to drain any excess marinade before breading the nuggets.
Q: What can I use in place of plant milk?
A: If you're not vegan, you can use regular milk in place of the plant milk. Any type of milk will work, but I prefer to use Ripple or unsweetened almond milk.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer With Dehydrator: This is a great budget-friendly air fryer. It's large enough to cook a big batch of nuggets, and it has a dehydrator function, which is awesome.
EZ Tofu Press: This tofu press is perfect for pressing tofu for recipes like this. It's much easier than pressing it by hand, and it really helps to get rid of excess water.
Glass Mixing Bowls: These glass mixing bowls are super versatile. You can use them for mixing, storing, and serving. In this recipe, they can be used for portioning out the ingredients, mixing the batter and breading, and making the sauce.
More Recipes You Might Like
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Ingredients
Batter
- ½ cup plant milk of choice
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Breading
- 4 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
Tahini Maple Mustard Sauce
- 3 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Tofu Nuggets
- Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. You'll want your tofu to be well-pressed for this recipe to ensure that the nuggets are nice and crispy.
- Slice the tofu into eight equal slices, then use your hands to tear each slice into 3 to 4 nugget-sized pieces.
- Mix ½ cup plant milk, ½ cup flour, and 2 teaspoon dijon mustard together to make the batter. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the ingredients for the breading together in a separate bowl.
- Once you have the batter and breading prepared in separate bowls, take a piece of tofu and coat it in the batter, then transfer it to the bowl with the breading mix and coat it generously.
- Place the tofu nugget into the air fryer basket and repeat with the remaining pieces of tofu.
- Air fry the nuggets at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 minutes, flipping the nuggets over at the halfway point.
Tahini Maple Mustard Sauce
- While the nuggets cook, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Add a splash of water to achieve your desired consistency for the sauce.
- Serve the nuggets with the sauce and some fresh parsley and lemon slices. Enjoy!
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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