Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

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5 from 9 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Air fryer tofu nuggets are what happens when tofu finally lives up to its potential—crispy, golden, and full of flavor. If you’ve ever stared at a block of tofu wondering what to do with it, this recipe is the answer. Easy, snackable, and endlessly versatile, these nuggets will turn your air fryer into your favorite kitchen sidekick!

Prep Time6

Cook Time9

Total Time15

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: - 4

Calories: 183kcal

Author: Michelle Cehn

Ingredients

1 block super-firm tofu the kind in a vacuum-sealed package
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons corn starch
¼ cup nutritional yeast

Instructions

Slice your block of super-firm tofu into small cubes (about a centimeter in size) and place in a medium-sized bowl.
Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and toasted sesame oil and mix until evenly coated.
Add corn starch and mix until evenly coated.
Add nutritional yeast and gently mix until all tofu is well-coated. There may be some loose nutritional yeast at the bottom of the bowl—that's okay, just get as much as you can to stick on.
Spread tofu cubes evenly in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes at 390° F. Using a spatula, flip the tofu (no need to be too precise here, just shake them up a bit), and air fry for another 4 minutes at 390° F.
Place in a bowl and enjoy!

Notes

Your Tofu, Your Way: This recipe is very versatile. Feel free to leave out the red pepper flakes if you're not a fan of spice, and even skip the nutritional yeast if you don't have that on hand. It will lack a depth of flavor, but it will still be tasty!
No Cornstarch? No Problem: You can skip the cornstarch if needed. The nuggets will be slightly less crispy, but they’ll still deliver plenty of flavor and texture to keep you coming back for more.
Oil Options: Looking to go oil-free? You can skip the sesame oil—your nuggets will still crisp up nicely, though the texture might be slightly drier. Prefer to swap? Canola or grapeseed oil work great, too.
Cut Tofu Small for Extra Crunch: Chop your tofu into small cubes (about 1 centimeter). This size ensures maximum crispiness. Larger cubes will have a softer center, which might be more your vibe if you love tofu’s natural texture.
Adjust for Celsius Air Fryers: If your air fryer uses Celsius, set it to 200°C. Cook for the same time—5 minutes, flip, and another 4 minutes.
Best Served Fresh: These nuggets taste best straight from the air fryer. They’ll stay fine at room temperature for a few hours but will lose their crispiness if refrigerated.

Nutrition