Air fried tofu nuggets is a fantastic recipe if you love your Asian cooking. Generally, tofu is fried when eating outside. Tofu is an excellent plant based protien, when cooked in an airfryer, it has a meaty and crispiest texture .Crispy air fryer tofu nuggets is my favorite way of having it on a regular basis. This recipe is a plant based counter part to chicken nuggets and air fried paneer. Vegan chicken nuggets are quite in demand these days and this is an easy recipe to make for bento boxes.
I love making saag tofu and tofu masala when I am in mood for some curry. It also tastes fantastic as rice paper rolls, tofu manchurian and spicy ramen. If you are in mood for some stir fry, tofu friedpeanut rice and tofu pulao is really filling. Try making an easy indian easy tofu curry recipe. Basically, it helps me avoid dairy based paneer and yet get the same protein rich feeling.
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Using airfryer for tofu nuggets
If you are an air fryer skeptic, then this is one recipe that can change your mind. Airfryer cook with very little oil due to hot air that rotates in the air fryer.
How to make air fryer tofu nuggets? (Video recipe)
Ingredient to air fry tofu
Refer to recipe card for exact measurements .
- Cubed tofu ( extra-firm tofu for best results or regular firm tofu( pressed) , cut into 1-inch cubes)
- soy sauce
- oil or cooking spray ( sesame oil gives best flavor, or you can use olive oil as well )
- corn flour or corn starch
- black pepper (optional)
Instructions for air fryer tofu
You can either use extra firm tofu or use regular tofu block and press it to remove excess liquid.
The below steps are with regular firm tofu, hence we have pressed it to remove excess water.
- Table a block of tofu ,Use a tofu press or, just place a flat plat and a heavy item(cast iron vessel) on top to press tofu, for 30 minutes, to remove excess water.Place them on couple of paper towels
- Cut the tofu it in smaller cubes.
- Mix black pepper, soy sauce ,oil and cornflour ,toss tofu pieces in a large bowl .Keep it aside for 10 mins.
- Dust these cubes in corn flour. This helps them to make them crispy when you fry or air-fry. (this is optional step)
- Preheat your air fryer for 10 mins at 190 deg C. | 375 F. Layer the pieces on a grill tray in a single layer without overlapping each other.Spray oil on these before cooking them. You can also use a parchment paper on basket of your air fryer.
- Air fry the marinated tofu for 10 mins at 190 C| 375 deg F or until they are golden brown.
Move them to a kitchen towel to soak that excess oil. You can enjoy these as is or add them to a salad
Instructions for baked tofu nuggets (in oven)
Use the below steps to prepare pieces in fan forced oven.
- After tossing the tofu pieces in the starch mix, spread them on a tray lined with baking sheet.
Bake in an oven at 190 deg C(fan forced) for 20 minutes.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Related links
Air fried crispy tofu nuggets | crispy baked tofu nuggets
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- wok
- spatula
Ingredients
For air fry tofu
- 200 gms Regular firm tofu or extra firm tofu, does not require pressing
- 2 teaspoon oil
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- black pepper powdered,optional
- 2 teaspoon cornflour for marinating tofu
- 2 teaspoon cornflour for dusting the tofu before air frying
Instructions
steps for best tofu marinade
- In case you are using regular firm tofu,Use a tofu press or, just place a flat plat and a heavy item(cast iron vessel) on the top for 30 minutes to remove excess water.Discard the excess water
- Cut the tofu it in smaller cubes.
- Mix black pepper,soy sauce ,oil and cornflour ,toss tofu pieces .Keep it aside for 10 mins.
- Dust these cubes in corn flour. This helps them to make them crispy when you fry or air-fry.
For air fryer tofu
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 mins at 190 deg C. | 375 F. Layer the pieces on a parchment paper on a grill tray without overlapping each other. Spray oil on these before cooking them
- Air fry the marinated tofu for 10 mins at 190 C| 375 deg F. Once they are cooked,keep them aside.
Oven baked tofu nuggets
- After tossing the tofu pieces in the starch mix, spread them on a tray lined with baking sheet
- Bake into oven at 190 deg C(fan forced) for 20 minutes.
Video
Notes
Substitution and variations
- If you are a vegetarian, you may substitute tofu for paneer.Air fryer paneer nuggets are just as delicious! You can make both these recipes in a cast iron pan too if you do not own an air fryer. You may also use a baking tray lined with butter paper in oven to bake them.
- If you are not gluten free, you may use panko breadcrumbs to coat your nuggets before you place in air fryer basket. Some people like to add garlic powder, sesame seeds, onion powder, curry powder and nutritional yeast to their breaded tofu nuggets too.
- crispy baked tofu recipe can also be achieved by using arrowroot powder / potato starch to coat tofu cubes.
- You can just air fry tofu nuggets and enjoy it as is or add that to salads/curries/ noodles. It tastes great in veg fried rice too. You can also add it to rice paper rolls as a filling.
- You can add chili powder / chilli flakes to make spicy tofu nuggets with very less oil.
- You can also use almond flour in place of corn starch to make a keto air fryer tofu nuggets.
FAQs
Tofu has no cholestrol and little calories. As long as you stick to healthy cooking, it will not make you fat.
Soy doesn't affect people with normal thyroid. However, those with underactive thyroid must watch their consumption.
As per studies it helps reduce joint pain.
Silken tofu is not appropriate for this recipe, its not that easy to press silken tofu to remove the excess moisture
Tofu is low in calories yet high in protein. Hence, it is excellent for weight-loss.
It has no cholesterol.
It is high in fiber and helps boost memory.
Maintains cardiovascular health.
High in calcium and magnesium so helps avoid bone related issues.
Storage
Store it in refrigerator for 2-3 days in an air-tight container. Cook for 2-3 minutes in an preheated airfryer for a crispy tofu recipe.
Note: Tofu packet once opened, should be finished within 3 days or as per packet restrictions.
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