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 texture .Crispy air fryer tofu nuggets is a great way of having it on a weekly 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 fried 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.
Other air fryer snack recipes include air fryer bread recipe, Air fryer pasties, air fryer homemade tortilla chips, Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers, air fryer focaccia ,vegan soy curls , air fryer sweet potato hasselback & chocolate hot cross buns.
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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.
Is tofu healthy?
- 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.
Ingredient to air fry tofu
Refer to recipe card for exact measurements .
- tofu cubes ( extra-firm tofu or regular firm tofu( pressed)
- soy sauce
- oil or cooking spray ( I prefer olive oil spray )
- corn flour or corn starch
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 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.
- 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
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.
Substitution
If you are a vegetarian, you may substitute tofu for paneer.
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 and nutritional yeast to their breaded tofu nuggets too.
Variations
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 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.
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.
Serving suggestions
You can serve these flavorful nuggets with a hot sauce or buffalo sauce or bbq sauce.
You can toss these in a salad or make sticky tofu with these nuggets.
Related links
Air fried crispy tofu nuggets | crispy baked tofu nuggets
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- wok
- spatula
Ingredients
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 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 10 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.
Notes
Top tips
- Always reheat your leftovers.
- Always preheat your air fryer.
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
Please share your inputs..