Rating: 3.66
(146)

Baked Crispy Tofu Nuggets

February 7, 2025

Baked crispy tofu nuggets are a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional chicken nuggets. With their crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender, flavorful interior, these tofu nuggets are perfect for those seeking a plant-based snack or a lighter option for meal prep. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, these nuggets are sure to satisfy your craving for something crispy and delicious.

The key to achieving the perfect texture for baked crispy tofu nuggets is pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. This allows the tofu to crisp up nicely in the oven without becoming soggy. Once pressed, the tofu is cut into bite-sized cubes or strips and coated in a flavorful breading mixture. The breading is made with a combination of panko breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The result is a crispy coating that adds crunch and flavor with every bite.

To ensure the tofu nuggets bake up perfectly crispy, they’re lightly coated with oil or a vegan butter substitute before being placed on a baking sheet. This gives them that golden-brown crispiness without deep frying, making them a much healthier option than traditional fried nuggets.

These baked crispy tofu nuggets are incredibly versatile. They can be served as a snack with a dipping sauce such as barbecue sauce, ketchup, or a creamy avocado dip. They also work as a protein-packed topping for salads, grain bowls, or wraps. You can even toss them in a spicy sauce or glaze, like buffalo sauce or teriyaki, for added flavor.

Not only are these tofu nuggets delicious, but they’re also a great source of plant-based protein, making them a nutritious addition to any meal. They’re easy to make in advance and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use, making them perfect for meal prepping.

Baked Crispy Tofu Nugget
Baked Crispy Tofu Nugget
3.66 from 146 votes
This delicious and easy-to-make Baked Crispy Tofu Nugget recipe is perfect for a tasty and healthy snack or as a main dish. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these nuggets are sure to please everyone.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 block firm tofu drained and pressed
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut the pressed tofu into nugget-sized pieces.
  • In a large bowl, mix the soy sauce and olive oil. Add the tofu pieces and gently toss to coat.
  • In another bowl, combine cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Dredge each tofu piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
  • Place the coated tofu nuggets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 500mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg
Calories: 250kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: healthy eating, recipe, tofu
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Vegan
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar basementDweller says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing! So crispy and full of flavor. Definitely a keeper recipe! 😍

    1. User avatar robin.streich says:

      3 stars
      Sounds good, but how can tofu be crispy? Isn’t it supposed to be soft? 🤔

    2. User avatar kermit.kovacek says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! I made these last week and my kids devoured them! 🍽️

  2. 3 stars
    I dunno, my nuggets didn’t turn out as crispy as I expected. Maybe I used too much oil? 🤔

  3. User avatar Ligia Armstrong says:

    4 stars
    My kids loved them! Way better than the frozen ones! Plus, they are super easy to make. 👍

  4. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly and they came out soggy. Not sure what I did wrong…

  5. User avatar greg.effertz2009 says:

    5 stars
    I don’t understand how ya’ll can call tofu nuggets this good, but they are, indeed, awesome!! 5 stars!

  6. User avatar kalyn.glover97 says:

    5 stars
    These came out *so* crispy for baked tofu—way better than I expected. Flipping halfway definitely helped.

  7. 4 stars
    Pretty good! But I think next time, I’ll add some more spices and maybe some sriracha. Just for a kick!

  8. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    2 stars
    Tofu is like sponges, that’s why I can’t deal with it. But maybe you make it better? 😅

  9. 5 stars
    These nuggets were awesome! Crispy and full of flavor. My kids loved them! 😍

  10. User avatar leonard.ullrich says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! These tofu nuggets turned out perfect. I never knew tofu could be this good! 🌟

  11. User avatar bessie.windler says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know about this one. Tofu is just too mushy for me. Didn’t turn out as I expected.

  12. User avatar barry.larson says:

    5 stars
    These nuggets are amazing! I made them for dinner and my kids loved them! 5 stars!

    1. User avatar beckie.kuhn81 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you and your kids loved them! Tofu nuggets are a great way to get some protein in a fun way. 😄

  13. User avatar evan.brown78 says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but mine came out soggy. What did I do wrong?

  14. User avatar arletta.bergstrom11 says:

    2 stars
    Crispy is not true. They were soft as hell! What did I do wrong??

  15. User avatar Jessica Atreides says:

    4 stars
    Mine stuck a bit even with parchment, not sure if I pressed the nuggets hard enough. Still tasty though, and the spices are on point.

    1. 4 stars
      Oh no—sorry they stuck! I’ve found pressing + leaving enough coating matters. Also, if the parchment is a bit wrinkly or the nuggets are too close, they can glue. Next time try a light oil spray on the parchment before laying them down (and flip carefully halfway). Glad the flavor still hit though—spices really are the best part.

  16. User avatar Glenn Ferry says:

    3 stars
    400°F for 25-30 min felt a little short—mine were more chewy than crunchy. Next time I’ll bake closer to 35 and flip more carefully.

    1. User avatar Sand-Dial says:

      5 stars
      Good catch—25–30 min is pretty tight for tofu nuggets, especially if your oven runs a bit cool. I usually go ~35 and make sure they’re spaced out so they crisp instead of steaming. Flipping carefully (and not moving them too early) helps a lot too.

  17. User avatar mike.dickinson2014 says:

    5 stars
    These were insane! I dipped them in ranch dressing and can’t stop eating them! 🥳

    1. 5 stars
      Ranch dressing with tofu nuggets? That’s a genius idea! 😂 I’m trying this next time!

  18. User avatar Grandpa Gohan says:

    4 stars
    I have no idea what panko is, but the recipe was great without it! Just used regular bread crumbs.

    1. 3 stars
      Wait, is panko even necessary? I think it’s just fancy crumbs… might try it your way next time!

    2. User avatar lester.donnelly says:

      4 stars
      Panko just makes it crunchier! But glad you liked it with regular crumbs! 👍

  19. 1 star
    I don’t know why people say tofu is good. I tried this and I was unimpressed. 🤷‍♀️

  20. User avatar buddy.thiel42 says:

    3 stars
    Crispy?? More like soft. Not a fan. My kids didn’t eat it. 😒

3.66 from 146 votes
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