These are the best Crispy Tofu Nuggets ever! These vegan chicken nuggets are crispy on the outside, nice and soft on the inside, simple to make and perfect for kids and adults.

tofu nuggets on a wire rack with bbq sauce.

These incredibly crispy tofu nuggets will remind you of chicken nuggets especially when dipped in your favorite sauce! What sauce would you choose? BBQ sauce, ketchup, spicy mayo, garlic aioli…? I need to know!

The tofu is pressed then dredged in a wet batter and then coated in panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal and seasonings then baked or fried to perfection. You must try these!

What You’ll Need for These Vegan Tofu Nuggets

Kitchen Essentials:

A deep pot for frying is essential and a thermometer to test the temperature of the oil is recommended but not required.

Main Ingredients:

Extra-Firm Tofu, soft or firm won’t work here- must be extra or super firm
Panko-Breadcrumbs (some aren’t vegan so check the ingredients)
Finely Ground Cornmeal, adds a nice light crumble texture that isn’t to be missed
Nutritional Yeast, for flavor as well as seasonings
All Purpose Flour & Apple Cider Vinegar to create a buttermilk
Soy Milk, almond milk will also work but make sure it’s unsweet

Substitutions:

I don’t recommend making substitutions to this recipe as far as the breading goes unless it’s more or less seasonings depending on your preferences. I haven’t tried this with other protein sources but think chicken style seitan and this breading recipe would make some delicious vegan chicken nuggets.

How to Make Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Press each block of tofu for at least 20 minutes each.

Whisk together the dry ingredients: panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and smoked paprika.

Whisk together the wet mixture: soy milk, apple cider vinegar, all purpose flour and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Coat the tofu chunks in the wet mixture and then toss in the dry mixture until the tofu nugget is completely coated in breadcrumbs. Then, pick a cooking method and a few sauce options and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Making the Best Crispy Tofu Nuggets

Don’t skip the pressing! Pressing tofu is very important and can’t be skipped when it comes to this recipe. Removing that excess water will improve the texture and make the end product much crispier.

Rip up the tofu in to bite sized chunks instead of slicing the tofu in to even cubes. Ripping the tofu helps the breading stick to the tofu more evenly and they look better and more like traditional chicken nuggets when done this way.

Fry in batches! Don’t over crowd the frying pan. This goes for baking too. Don’t over crowd the baking tray. Give the nuggets space so they can become incredibly crispy and crunchy!!

Dipping sauce ideas:

Roasted Garlic Aioli or maybe add sriracha or hot sauce to make it a spicy aioli
Homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce or Store-bought bbq sauce
Maybe these buffalo by drizzling a buffalo sauce over the top (don’t recommend soaking them or you’ll miss that crunch!)
Vegan friendly honey mustard. Whisk together yellow mustard and a splash of maple syrup. So good!
Vegan ranch dressing.

Tofu nuggets on a serving tray with bbq sauce and fresh parsley.

Cooking Methods:

Fried Tofu Nuggets

Frying Instructions: Heat a large pot on medium heat and fill the base of the pan with a few inches of oil. When the oil is hot, add in the tofu nuggets in small batches. Fry until crispy and golden brown. If the oil doesn’t completely cover the nugget, flip it halfway and keep frying until both sides are golden brown.

Baked Tofu Nuggets

Baking Instructions: Preheat oven to 400F. Add the tofu nuggets to a parchment lined baking tray with space in-between them so they are not touching. Spray the nuggets evenly with a spray oil or drizzle with oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Tofu Nugget FAQ:

How do I store & reheat these crispy tofu nuggets?

Store leftover tofu nuggets in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They will lose some crispiness but they are still delicious leftover. Simply reheat in the oven until warmed though or microwave them.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, simply replace the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Can I freeze these tofu nuggets?

They are better fresh so I don’t recommend freezing them. They can however be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or an air fryer.

Can I air fry tofu nuggets?

I haven’t tried it but I’d say give it a shot at 400F for about 15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

More Tofu Recipes You Might Like:

If You Make This Recipe:

I would greatly appreciate if you share your review in the comments below and leave a star rating. Don’t forget to add if you made any fun substitutions. Thank you!