Tofu Nuggets Vegan Chicken Nugget Recipe
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—learn how to make flavorful tofu nuggets with this simple, plant-based recipe. Vegan alternative to chicken nuggets.
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1 cup breadcrumbs of choice see notes
- a little spray of avocado oil (optional)
Wet Mixture
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2-3 tbsp plain plant milk
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt & black pepper to taste
- ½ tsp vegan broth powder (This is optional: if you can get one that is "chicken" flavoured even better!)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Tear the tofu into bite sized pieces. Tearing it will create a lot of ridges that help the sauce stick. (see photos for reference)
- In a shallow dish, make your wet mixture by combining cornstarch, plant milk, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. Start with 2 tbsp of plant milk and add more only if needed. This mixture should be quite thick, but not so thick that you can't dip your tofu pieces.
- In a second shallow dish, add the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each piece of tofu into the wet mixture, then into the panko bread crumbs. Place each nugget directly onto the parchment paper.
- Optional: For a crispier texture, lightly spray the nuggets with a little avocado oil.
- Bake the tofu nuggets at 400 for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Tip: for the BEST texture, try freezing then thawing your tofu before making this recipe. This totally changes the texture and makes it more "meaty".
Bread Crumbs: I used panko breadcrumbs in this version. Fine breadcrumbs do stick easily and create such a delicious flavour. Not all breadcrumbs are vegan or dairy-free so be sure to check the ingredients as they can contain milk products.
To Make this recipe Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and use GF breadcrumbs or crumbed cornflakes or corn tortilla chips for breading.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate values and can vary significantly depending on the specific brands of ingredients used. Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered professional nutritional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 85g | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.5g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 7.5IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 7.5mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!