Crispy Tofu Nuggets For Kids

Chicken nuggets are always a popular treat for kids and adults alike, but if you’re trying to convince your kids to eat a healthier and more plant-based diet, you might find yourself scratching your head looking for alternatives to this quick and easy snack!

Thankfully, we’ve got your back with these delicious tofu nuggets. Perfect for little fingers, these irresistible golden-brown nuggets are made with just eight household ingredients and can be ready in virtually no time at all!

Not only are these tofu nuggets 100% kid-approved, but they’re also great for grown-ups who are looking for a healthy alternative to a quick and easy snack. As they’re made from tofu and 100% plant-based ingredients, these nuggets are low in fat, high in protein, and absolutely delicious! They’re even baked, not fried, for an extra healthy kick.

The crispy coating on these tofu nuggets is so satisfying and makes a wonderful contrast to the silky and slightly chewy tofu interior. Trust us, even the most hardcore carnivores won’t be able to get enough of these treats!

I love to make up batches of these tofu nuggets to serve at parties, nibble during movie night, or serve to the kids with some fries and a selection of vegan dipping sauces. There’s literally no occasion that doesn’t call for these tasty treats.

Crispy Tofu Nuggets Recipe

Yields: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Calories per serving: 186kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs 
• 1 14oz block of extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup water
• ¼ cup non-dairy unsweetened milk
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp granulated onion
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Cooking oil spray (optional)

Method

1. Place your tofu in a tofu press or use a DIY tofu pressing method to squeeze out any excess liquid.
2. Preheat oven to 450’F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Add breadcrumbs and ½ tsp of granulated garlic, granulated onion, and salt to a large bowl or rimmed place. Stir to combine thoroughly.
4. Once no liquid is left in the tofu, cut it in half lengthwise. Next, cut each half into 6 squares of equal size, giving you a total of 12 tofu pieces.
5. Take another bowl and whisk together the flour and the remaining garlic, onion, and salt.
6. Add the non-dairy milk and water to the flour mixture, and whisk until it forms a smooth, thick, pourable batter. If the batter can’t be easily poured, add a splash more water.
7. Take a piece of tofu and submerge it in the batter. Make sure it’s fully coated, shake off the excess, and place it in the breadcrumb mixture.
8. Roll the tofu in the breadcrumbs until evenly coated, then lay it carefully on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Repeat with all the tofu pieces, being careful to leave a little space on the baking sheet between each piece.
10. For extra golden nuggets, spray the tofu pieces with cooking oil before placing them in the oven.
11. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tofu turns crispy and golden.
12. Flip the tofu nuggets over halfway through cooking – you can add a little extra cooking oil when flipping if desired.
13. Serve your crispy tofu nuggets with your favorite vegan dipping sauces, and enjoy!

How to prepare tofu

The secret to success when cooking any tofu-based recipe is preparation.

When you buy tofu, it will be saturated with excess water from the manufacturing process. This liquid needs to be removed from the block to enable tofu to form that yummy crispy exterior and absorb all the tasty seasoning you’re cooking it with.

The easiest way to remove the water from a block of tofu is with a tofu press. You can visit TofuBud for a really high-quality tofu press that removes all excess liquid in as little as 15 minutes, plus loads of other handy tofu tips and inspiration. 

If you don’t have a designated tofu press, you can squeeze out the liquid by placing your tofu between two chopping boards and weighing it down with heavy objects like cookbooks or cans. It’s a good idea to line your chopping boards with paper towels to avoid making too much mess with a DIY pressing method.

Leave your tofu pressing for at least 30 minutes before cooking for the best results.

Notes

My family and friends cannot get enough of these delicious tofu nuggets, and it’s the thing I’m always asked to bring along to any gathering! Easy to make, absolutely delicious, low in fat, and kid-approved… Tofu nuggets are a guaranteed success every time.

 

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