The Best Tofu “Chicken” Nuggets: Pan Fried or Baked

Do yourself a favor and make these tofu chicken nuggets as soon as possible. With a flavorful marinade, a crispy coating and meaty texture, this vegan version of a classic chicken nugget is perfect for the whole family.

Whether you’re a vegetarian, cutting back on meat, or just want to try something new, these tofu chicken nuggets are guaranteed to be a household favorite. 

If you’re looking for homemade chicken nuggets, you must try my Vegetable Chicken Nuggets, Panko Chicken Tenders or Salmon Nuggets. All are so easy and kids will go crazy for them.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Cauliflower Nuggets:

• ​These crispy baked tofu nuggets have the best texture, very similar to chicken, that kids love.
• Made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
• Make these into vegan nuggets by omitting the eggs and using flax eggs. See Common Questions section for more info.
• These crispy tofu nuggets can be baked or pan fried. I suggest pan fried if you want the breadcrumb coating to be extra crispy.
• Lots of protein and nutrients from tofu.

🍲 Ingredients and Substitutions

Block of firm tofu is used because it absorbs the marinade better than extra-firm tofu. You can use extra firm, if desired, but will have a slight difference in texture.

Soy sauce is used for the marinade for flavor. You can use coconut aminos, for gluten-free.

Maple syrup adds sweetness to the marinade. You can use honey.

Olive oil to get your coating nice and crispy.

All-purpose flour is the base of your coating and can be subbed for an alternate flour.

Potato starch is used as a thickening agent in the coating. You can also use corn starch.

Eggs help bind everything together. Use a flax egg if not using eggs. See common questions for more info.

Panko breadcrumbs are used for the breading. Use any type of breadcrumbs, including gluten-free, if desired.

Avocado oil or olive oil for cooking.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Tofu Nuggets

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the tofu cubes to the marinade ingredients, ensuring they are well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if time allows.
3. Set out three separate shallow bowls. One for the beaten eggs, second for flour and potato starch and third for all of the breading ingredients combined.
4. Take each tofu piece, coat it in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
5. Dip in the eggs then finally, roll the coated tofu in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumb coating onto the tofu to adhere. Set aside on a baking sheet or plate.
6. Heat oil in a large pan over medium high heat. When oil is hot, add tofu one by one to the hot oil, making sure there is no crowding and they aren’t touching. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 1 – 2 minutes on the other side. Set aside on plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess liquid. Continue until all of the tofu is cooked.
7. Allow to cool slightly then serve with a dipping sauce. 
8. **To Bake in Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the breaded tofu nuggets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

• Tofu naturally has water in it. To remove excess water, place block of tofu on a paper towel and use a tofu press to gently press down to remove extra water.
• If you don’t have a tofu press, place another paper towel over the tofu block and place a heavy object on top for a few minutes. This will remove excess liquid.
• For babies over 6 months old, serve your vegan tofu nuggets in small pieces, big enough for them to grab but small enough to not pose a choking hazard.

🗒 Best served with

• Your favorite dipping sauce: bbq sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, vegan ranch, etc.
• With a side of Air Fryer Green Beans and Sweet Potato Wedges.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven so they become crispy again.

🤔 Common Questions

Is this dairy and gluten-free?

This tofu nugget recipe is dairy-free as is. To make gluten-free, use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and a gluten-free flour. Also, make sure your breadcrumbs are gluten-free.

What is a flax egg?

A flax egg can be used in place of a chicken egg, in most recipes. For 1 egg use 1 tablespoon of flaxseed and 2.5 tablespoons of room temperature water. Mix together until gel-like consistency and let sit for about 10 minutes before using.

Can I bake or air-fry these?

To Bake in Oven: preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the breaded tofu nuggets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the nuggets are golden brown and crispy.

To Air Fry: air fry at 390 degrees in a single layer for 7-10 minutes or until crispy.