These air fried tofu nuggets come together in less than 20 minutes and are packed with flavor. They make the perfect protein-packed addition to any salad, wrap or even as a snack on their own with my 3-Ingredient Dipping Sauce!
When I tell you that when I first bit into these crispy, flavorful air fried tofu nuggets my jaw dropped, I’m not exaggerating.
Like, how can something that’s so easy be so delicious?!
And when I say easy, I mean really easy. As in, basically just ripping apart a block of tofu, tossing in some spices, and throwing in the air fryer for 15 minutes and you’re left with a ridiculously easy, crispy nugget that tastes like it’s fried, but isn’t.
Plus, they pair perfectly with pretty much any sauce. My 3-Ingredient BBQ Dipping Sauce is my current obsession.
What makes these the best air-fried tofu nuggets?
I know saying these are the best tofu nuggets can’t be taken lightly, so here’s just a few of the reasons why!
- They literally take like, 5 minutes of prep time and the rest is spent cooking them in the air fryer!
- They’re healthy, despite being absolutely packed with flavor.
- They’re perfectly crispy on the outside because of the jagged edges we get from ripping apart the tofu rather than slicing!
- They have the perfect balance of flavor from the spices without being super overpowering, meaning they’re still super versatile.
- They keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days, meaning you can make a double batch to use as an easy protein source throughout the week!
Can I make these in the oven instead?
Totally! If you don’t have an air fryer, simply preheat your oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you have a convection setting on your oven, that’s even better!
Place the tofu nuggets evenly on the baking tray, and bake for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown on the outside, flipping half way through.
On a tofu kick? Try my 10-Minute Curry Tofu Salad or Easy Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry!
How to make these tofu nuggets
- Start by draining the excess water from the tofu package, if there is any. Wrap the tofu in a clean towel and press lightly the remove the excess water.
- Tear the tofu into 1 inch size chunks. This is vital to get those jagged edges of the tofu that holds all the delicious spices in the nooks and crannies, so don’t cube the tofu with a knife.
- Place in a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Place in an air fryer. Set air fryer to 400 F and air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the air fryer container about half way through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, on top of a salad or in a wrap and enjoy!
Main Ingredients and Substitutions
Extra firm tofu: I highly recommend using extra firm tofu in this recipe since it has the lowest water content of the types of tofu. If you’re in a pinch, firm tofu can also work, but you’ll likely need to press the water out of the tofu for longer. The drier the tofu is, the crispier the flavor will be! Tofu is a great source of protein,
Garlic powder: For garlicky flavor! I like to use garlic powder in certain recipes since it sticks more easily to whatever you’re adding it to.
Smoked paprika: For the delicious, slightly smoky flavor! Smoked paprika is my favorite in this recipe, but if you only have regular paprika on hand, that’ll work, too.
What to pair with this air fried tofu
Personally, I love adding these tofu nuggets to the top of my favorite 10 Minute Kale Salad recipe, but they’re also delicious on their own with my 3 Ingredient Dipping Sauce or added into your favorite wrap!
Storing leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. These tofu nuggets make the absolute best protein addition to pretty much any meal, so sometimes I’ll even make a double batch to store as leftovers!
More Easy Tofu Recipes
30-Minute Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry
Apple Raddichio Salad with Rosemary Thyme Tofu
Connect with Lauren
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below. You can also find 60 other delicious, easy plant-based recipes in my cookbook, The Simple Vegan Kitchen!
Also, be sure to take a photo and tag me at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can re-share on my stories! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest so you never miss a new recipe or blog post.
Actually Tasty and Healthy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Equipment
- Air fryer If you don't have an air fryer, see note for making these in the oven!
Ingredients
- 1 block extra-firm tofu
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start by draining the excess water from the tofu package, if there is any. Wrap the tofu in a clean towel and press lightly the remove the excess water.
- Tear the tofu into 1 inch size chunks. This is vital to get those jagged edges of the tofu that holds all the delicious spices in the nooks and crannies, so don't cube the tofu with a knife. Place in a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Place in a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Place in an air fryer. Set air fryer to 400 F and air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the air fryer container about half way through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, on top of a salad or in a wrap and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe? Make sure to leave a review, take a photo and tag me on Instagram at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can see!
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