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Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 128 reviews

Crispy and delicious Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets made from frozen extra firm tofu, coated in a flavorful batter and panko breadcrumbs. These nuggets are perfect as a snack or appetizer and are cooked quickly in the air fryer for a guilt-free crunchy treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Tofu Preparation

  • 1 block extra firm tofu (frozen as per instructions)

Batter

  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

Coating

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Drain and Press Tofu: Drain a block of tofu and place it on a dish towel. Place a heavy object such as a cast iron skillet on top of the tofu and let it press for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
  2. Freeze the Tofu: Place the drained tofu in a container or plastic bag and freeze until completely solid, which helps improve texture for crispiness.
  3. Thaw the Tofu: Remove the frozen tofu from the freezer and microwave it for 3 to 5 minutes until thawed but still firm.
  4. Press Out Water Again: Place the thawed tofu on a towel and press out any remaining water using your hands or a heavy object. This quick pressing should take about 30 seconds.
  5. Prepare the Batter: In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and nutritional yeast until you have a smooth batter.
  6. Prepare the Coating: Pour the panko bread crumbs into a separate bowl for breading.
  7. Tear Tofu into Pieces: Tear the tofu block into bite-sized nugget pieces, suitable for easy dipping and cooking.
  8. Coat the Nuggets: Dip each tofu piece into the batter, shaking off any excess, then roll it in the panko bread crumbs to coat thoroughly.
  9. Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking, then place the breaded tofu pieces in a single layer inside the basket.
  10. Continue Breading: Repeat the batter and breading process for all pieces of tofu and arrange them evenly in the air fryer basket.
  11. First Air Fry Cycle: Air fry the tofu nuggets at 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes to begin crisping the coating.
  12. Flip and Continue Air Frying: Shake and flip the tofu nuggets in the basket, then air fry for an additional 3 to 8 minutes until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy all over.
  13. Serve: Remove the crispy tofu nuggets from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Freezing the tofu before cooking helps create a chewier texture that crisps nicely.
  • Adjust air fry time depending on your air fryer model and desired crispiness.
  • Use gluten-free flour and panko if a gluten-free version is needed.
  • Serve with sauces like BBQ, vegan ranch, or sweet chili for variety.

Keywords: Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets, Crispy Tofu, Vegan Snack, Plant-Based Nuggets, Gluten-Free Option, Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/air-fryer-tofu-nuggets-recipe/