Vegan Chicken Nuggets

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4.86 from 28 votes

These Vegan Chicken Nuggets (i.e., tofu nuggets) are crispy, juicy, and totally delicious—just like everyone's favorite, Chick-fil-A! Made with a light breading and classic seasonings, they're easy to make with two different cooking variations: air frying and baking. Serve the nuggets with vegan BBQ sauce and vegan sweet potato waffle fries for the perfect satisfying yet healthier treat.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Optional marinating time1

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Jenné Claiborne

Equipment

1 air fryer (optional) Here's a link to the one I use

Ingredients

1 16 ounce block extra firm tofu pressed for 20 minutes (see recipe notes)
2 tbsp dill pickle juice
2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
1/2 tsp white sugar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2-1 tsp sea salt
non-stick cooking oil spray
parsley for garnish optional
your favorite dipping sauce vegan BBQ sauce recipe here

Instructions

Using your hands, break the pressed tofu into nugget-sized pieces, dropping them into a large mixing bowl. The pieces can be as large or small as you'd like, but keep in mind that they will reduce in size as they cook.
In a separate bowl, whisk the dill pickle juice, soy sauce, sugar, and olive oil together until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture over the tofu and gently toss until well combined.
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt over the tofu. Gently stir until the pieces are evenly coated in the seasonings.

Air Frying

Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper. Pour the tofu into the air fryer, and spread evenly. Spray more oil onto the tops of the tofu.
Air fry the tofu for 20 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through. If the tofu is still not crispy after 20 minutes, cook another 5 minutes or until crispy but still juicy inside. Be careful not to burn. Enjoy hot with vegan BBQ sauce and sweet potato fries or waffle fries.

Baking

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375°F.
Spread the nuggets out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. If needed, add extra cooking time in 5-minute intervals until crispy but still juicy inside. Enjoy hot with vegan BBQ sauce and sweet potato fries or waffle fries.

Video

Notes

Storage Directions

Refrigerating: Cool the nuggets completely before placing them in an airtight container and storing in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the tofu nuggets to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat them from frozen in the air fryer or the oven, following the original cooking instructions.
Reheating: Reheat the nuggets in a 350°F air fryer for 5 minutes or a 350°F toaster oven for 10 minutes or until recrisped and heated through.

Jenné's Recipe Pro-Tips

How to press tofu: Wrap the tofu in a couple of sheets of paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Place the tofu on a baking dish, and put something heavy (such as a cast iron skillet or heavy cookbook) on top and press for at least 20 minutes or until the tofu is your preferred consistency.
Mix the marinade well. Combine the marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl, whisking until the sugar has dissolved before adding the tofu.
Marinate longer for more flavor. If desired and you have the time, cover and refrigerate the bowl of marinated tofu for up to a few hours before seasoning and cooking.
Prevent sticking. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking oil or brush it with canola or avocado oil before adding the nuggets. For an extra crispy finish, spray the top of the tofu with oil before air frying.
Adjust the cooking time. If the nuggets aren't crisped to your liking by the end of the air fry or baking time, add cooking time in 5-minute intervals until they are golden and crispy. For juicy nuggets with a crispy exterior (just like Chick-fil-A!), I recommend adding no more than 5 minutes. They can be cooked longer if you prefer them super dry and crunchy, however.

Nutrition