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Have you been looking for the perfect tofu nugget recipe? Look no further! These crispy air fryer tofu nuggets are the best and so easy to make.
Tofu is one of my favorite versatile vegetarian proteins, but texture is very important.
It is naturally very soft, so you have to cook it right to be able to get that firm and meaty texture instead of a soft and mushy one.
These air fryer nuggets are insanely crispy, and are the best meat like texture nugget that I have ever made.
The inside is very similar to the texture of store bought vegetarian chicken nuggets!
Why should I freeze tofu?
This recipe has one different, but very important step: freezing the tofu.
Never heard of freezing tofu? Me neither until recently!
When I read that freezing tofu resulted in a much more meaty texture that did not fall apart, I just knew I had to try it!
As Food52 explains, “When the tofu freezes, its water turns to ice crystals, which create small, sponge-like holes that remain once the tofu is thawed and the ice turns into water.”
The result? Firmer and chewier tofu that soaks up sauces and dips like a dream!
How to freeze tofu
Drain a block of extra firm tofu and wrap it in a dish towel.
Place something heavy, such as a cast iron skillet on top and press for 10 minutes to remove some of the liquid.
Place the tofu in a container or ziploc bag and freeze until solid.
How to make air fryer tofu nuggets
Ok, so now you have frozen your tofu, what is next?
Remove your tofu from the freezer and place on a plate. Microwave for 3 – 5 minutes, until thawed.
Place the tofu in a dish towel again and press out the remaining liquid, this should only take around 30 seconds thanks to freezing the tofu!
Next, tear your block of tofu into bite sized pieces.
The breading for these air fryer tofu nuggets will be panko bread crumbs.
To make the batter for dipping, in a bowl you will combine the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and nutritional yeast.
Dip each tofu nugget in the batter, shake off any excess, then dip in the panko bread crumbs to coat.
Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
Place the breaded tofu bites into the air fryer basket.
How long you will air fry will depend on your air fryer model.
I did 5 minutes at 400 degrees, then shook the tofu around before air frying an additional 3 – 5 minutes and they were super crispy!
I just can’t get over how incredible the texture was! These nuggets are super crispy on the outside, and incredibly “meaty” on the inside.
These would be divine dipped in my homemade chick fil a sauce!
More tofu recipes you might like
- Teriyaki Tofu
- Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
- Air Fryer Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu, frozen (see instructions)
For the batter
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
For the breading
Instructions
- Drain a block of tofu and place on a dish towel, then place something heavy on it such as a cast iron skillet, for 10 minutes
- Place the tofu in a container or bag and freeze until solid.
- Once frozen, remove the tofu block from the freezer and microwave for 3 - 5 minutes, until thawed.
- Place the tofu block on a towel and press out the remaining water using your hands or something heavy. This should only take 30 seconds since the tofu has been frozen.
- Mix the flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and nutritional yeast in a medium sized bowl
- Place the panko bread crumbs in a separate bowl
- Tear the tofu into bite sized pieces
- Dip each piece of tofu in the batter, shake off any excess, then roll in the panko bread crumbs
- Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray, then place the breaded tofu bites into the basket
- Repeat batter and breading until all tofu is coated and placed in the air fryer
- Air fry the tofu nuggets at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then shake and flip the tofu
- Air fry an additional 3 - 8 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 270Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 735mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 18g
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!
FAQs
First, too much water. If you don't press the water out of your tofu, it can easily become soggy. Second, temperature. Cooking your tofu at a low temperature won't allow it to crisp properly.
Do you have to press tofu before air frying? ›
If you want to make the crispiest, crunchiest air fryer tofu possible, I recommend pressing your tofu before you cook it. This step adds some extra time to this recipe, but it's totally worth it. Pressing the excess water out of the tofu helps it cook up extra-firm and crisp.
Is tofu better pan fried or air fried? ›
Frying your tofu adds calories
If you want to reduce the calorie content of your dishes, baking or air-frying are better options. Air-frying is an excellent alternative to traditional frying methods, as it delivers the same delicious flavor and crispy texture without the added oil.
How do you make firm tofu extra firm? ›
Option: Slice and Freeze the Pressed Tofu
After you have pressed your tofu for at least 30 minutes, you may also want to slice it into strips or cubes and then freeze it. Freezing tofu will change the texture of the tofu, making it firmer and "chewier," as well as more absorbent.
How do I get crispy results in my air fryer? ›
Add an extra shake
But according to our air fryer expert Fiona Mair, you should always add an extra shake. "Definitely shake it more than advised if you want crispy, evenly browned results," she says.
What temperature do you air fry tofu? ›
Place tofu pieces in one layer in the basket of your air fryer. You might need to work in batches. Air-fry at 390 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 6 minutes. Turn tofu pieces over and air-fry until crispy, about 6 more minutes.
What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›
Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.
How do you keep tofu from sticking to the air fryer? ›
Lightly oil the air fryer basket: You do not need or want a lot of oil in the air fryer basket. However, a little spritz of olive oil or a light coating with an oil dipped paper towel will help prevent the tofu from sticking. You will lose seasoning if the tofu sticks, so it's best not to hedge your bets.
How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›
Despite the nutritional benefits of tofu, fried tofu is not a healthy food choice. The problem lies in the frying cooking method. Although tofu is naturally low in calories and fat, frying adds tons of fat grams to the tofu and drastically increases the dish's calorie count.
How to make fried tofu like Chinese restaurants? ›
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. One piece at a time, dip the tofu into the cornstarch to coat both sides, then into the beaten egg. Immediately transfer to the skillet for pan frying. Cook until both sides turn golden brown.
Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein source that can be eaten with grains (rice, quinoa, barley, and more), pasta, veggies (stir fry, air fried, roasted, and more), on top of salads, and in buddha bowls. You can combine different sides to create a balanced meal of a protein, grain, and vegetable. What is this?
What do you season tofu with? ›
Most seafood seasonings include celery seed, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Add lime juice to the tofu marinade to bring forward more of that classic seafood flavor. 5. Soy sauce: Marinating tofu in soy sauce helps the tofu absorb flavor quickly.
Is eating tofu good for weight loss? ›
Low calorie density: Tofu is a low calorie food, with around 70-90 calories per 100 grams, making it a good option for those who are trying to lose weight. This is because foods with low calorie density help you feel full with fewer calories, which can help you consume fewer total calories throughout the day.
What makes tofu firmer? ›
The texture is determined by the water content in the tofu. The more water, the softer or 'silkier' the tofu; with less water, the tofu is firmer. Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm.
Why are things not getting crispy in air fryer? ›
Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.
Why aren t my air fryer chips crispy? ›
Firstly, if your potatoes are still wet before being placed into an air fryer, this can cause your potatoes not to crispen up. You can avoid this by thoroughly patting dry your potatoes before you place them in the air fryer. Secondly, you might be putting in too many potato chips so they aren't cooking evenly.
Why is my air fryer not crisping fries? ›
If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches. When I use 2 russet potatoes, I cook 3 batches of fries.
Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›
Don't overcrowd your insert, or else the air fried veggies will turn out mushy. Go light on the oil. Too much, and the vegetables will become oversaturated and not crisp up.
