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Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

1 block extra-firm tofu

¼ cup soy sauce(substitute with tamari, if gluten-free)

¼ cup water

1 cup all-purpose floursubstitute with 1:1 GF flour, if gluten-free

1 cup dairy-free milkoat milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.

1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegaroptional

2 cups panko bread crumbs

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp sea salt

Remove the tofu from its package and drain the liquid. To avoid soggy tofu, press the tofu either in a tofu press or by stacking a heavy object on top, like a cast iron skillet. Press tofu for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce and water in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Once tofu is pressed, tear off 1-inch pieces and place into the bowl. Give it a stir and let tofu marinate for 15 minutes.

Using two separate mixing bowls, combine the batter ingredients in one and the breading ingredients in the other. If the batter is too thick, add an extra splash of dairy-free milk and stir until desired consistency is reached. Set up an assembly line with the marinated tofu, batter, breading, and air fryer basket.

Coat the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray. Working one at a time, take a piece of tofu and dip it in the batter, then roll it in the bread crumbs.

Place each piece of breaded tofu in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces are touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Give the nuggets a light coating of oil spray.

Air fry tofu nuggets at 400F for 10-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Bite Tutorial

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Press Your Tofu Thoroughly 🤐
Press extra-firm tofu for at least 30 minutes using a tofu press or weighted method to remove excess moisture, ensuring maximum crispiness in the air fryer and better coating adhesion.
Double-Dredge for Extra Crunch 🍤
Coat tofu pieces in the flour mixture, then dip in dairy-free milk, then coat again in the panko mixture for an incredibly crispy exterior that rivals traditional fried nuggets.
Marinate for Deep Flavor 🧂
Soak pressed tofu cubes in the soy sauce and apple cider vinegar mixture for 15-20 minutes before coating to infuse umami flavors throughout the nuggets, not just the surface.
Space Out Your Nuggets Properly 📏
Arrange tofu nuggets in a single layer with at least half-inch gaps between pieces to allow hot air circulation, preventing steaming and ensuring all sides achieve equal crispiness at 400°F.
Freeze Before First Cook 🧊
Freeze coated nuggets for 1-2 hours before air frying to help them hold their shape and develop a superior golden crust while keeping the interior tender and creamy.