These easy vegan Tofu Nuggets are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned to perfection all the way through! They’re served with a mouthwatering spicy peanut dip and any other sides you like. Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan and low carb with instructions to bake in the oven or the air fryer.
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Easy Vegan “Chicken” Nuggets
These tofu nuggets with spicy peanut dip will put chicken nuggets and ketchup to shame. The nuggets are savory and delicious, and the peanut sauce brings an amazing medley of spiciness and nuttiness to the table. This vegan dish is also great for transitioning kids onto a meatless diet. They tend to gobble up these crispy nuggets in record time!
This recipe is also grain-free and gluten-free. The nuggets are coated with crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs and cooked to your desired level of crispiness. You can make the peanut sauce as mild or as spicy as you’d like! Just add the seasonings to taste.
What You’ll Need
All of the ingredients used in this recipe are compliant with gluten-free, grain-free and vegan diets. If you don’t follow one of those meal plans, feel free to make adjustments accordingly.
For the Tofu Nuggets
- Plant-Based Milk: Any kind will work here – just use whatever you have on hand!
- Cumin: For that savory flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
- Salt: To supplement the cumin.
- Arrowroot Starch: This helps your nuggets get extra crispy!
- Extra-Firm Tofu: Cubed.
- Grain-Free Crackers: Finely crushed, or grain-free breadcrumbs. We like Simple Mills, Hu’s Kitchen or RealPhat Foods brands.
For the Spicy Peanut Dip
- Peanut Butter: Creamy, unsalted. You can also sub with almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter.
- Hot sauce: We use half a tablespoon. You can use your favorite sugar-free compliant hot sauce or Sriracha.
- Smoked Paprika: To taste.
- Cumin
- Coconut Aminos: You can use low-sodium soy sauce if it works with your diet.
- Almond Milk: Unsweetened.
How to Make Baked Tofu Nuggets
These healthy meatless nuggets take the stress out of busy weekday lunches. They couldn’t be easier to make!
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, cumin, salt and arrowroot starch.
- Season, Coat & Cook Tofu: Dip each tofu cube in the batter, then in the crushed crackers. Lay out the cubes on the baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Make Dip: Prepare the dip by whisking together the peanut butter, sriracha, smoked paprika, cumin, coconut aminos and milk.
- Enjoy! Serve the tofu nuggets with the peanut dip and an optional side of your choice, such as Cauliflower Rice.
How to make Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
- Preheat air fryer: If your air fryer has a preheating setting, preheat air fryer in to 350F.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, cumin, salt and arrowroot starch.
- Season, Coat & Cook Tofu: Dip each tofu cube in the batter, then in the crushed crackers. Add the tofu into the air fryer basket in a single layer, (you will have to cook batches). Air Fry at 375F for 15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Tips for Success
For extra advice on making these vegan nuggets, check out my tips and tricks below.
- Drain Tofu: If you want to make sure your nuggets come out as crispy as possible, drain the tofu before cutting it. You can do this in a snap by putting it in between two paper towels on the counter and placing a heavy plate on top.
- Cut Tofu Evenly: Try to make all your tofu cubes a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Flip Nuggets: I don’t find flipping tofu nuggets to be necessary, but you can go ahead and do this halfway through the bake time if you’d like to ensure crispiness on both sides.
- Season to Taste: Feel free to season the tofu and spicy peanut dip to your liking!
Serving Suggestions
You could serve practically anything alongside these crispy tofu nuggets! Here are some of our favorite pairings.
- Serve with Fried Rice: If you want a side dish slightly fancier than homemade cauliflower rice, try serving your nuggets with this Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice instead! It’s packed with flavorful, good-for-you ingredients.
- Pair with Another Dip: Is peanut sauce just not your thing? These nuggets also taste amazing with ranch, ketchup, barbecue sauce—you name it!
- Serve with French Fries: If you’re craving classic French fries but want to keep things healthy, these easy Air Fryer Fries are perfect for you. The air fryer cooks them with less oil than ever!
How to Store and Reheat Tofu Nuggets
Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge. Spicy peanut dip should be stored in a separate airtight container. The nuggets will last for 3-5 days, and the dip will stay fresh for a week. Just take the dip out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving so it softens up.
Tofu nuggets can be warmed up in a 350 degree oven or in the microwave. I recommend reheating them in the oven if you want your nuggets to crisp up again.
Can I Freeze Vegan Nuggets?
Yes! These nuggets can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container for 2-3 months. Thaw them out in the fridge before reheating them. I don’t suggest freezing the peanut sauce.
Other Easy Vegan Lunches
Craving more tofu recipes? Be sure to try the following recipes!
- Teriyaki Tofu
- Orange Tofu
- Tofu Tenders
- Sesame Tofu
- Tofu Stir Fry
- Tofu Fries
- Air Fryer Tofu
- How to Cook Tofu
These easy vegan Tofu Nuggets are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned to perfection all the way through! They're served with a mouthwatering spicy peanut dip and any other sides you like.
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 20 oz extra firm tofu cubed
- 1 1/2 cups finely crushed grain-free crackers or grain-free breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup creamy unsalted peanut butter
- 1/2 tbsp compliant sugar-free hot sauce OR Sriracha
- 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Preheat the oven or air fryer to 350°F and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, cumin, salt, and arrowroot starch.
Dip each tofu cube in the batter, then in the crushed crackers.
Place the cubes on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
Add the tofu into the air fryer basket in a single layer, (you will have to cook batches). Air Fry at 375F for 15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the dip by whisking together the peanut butter, sriracha, smoked paprika, cumin, coconut aminos and milk.
Serve the tofu nuggets with the peanut dip and an optional side of your choice, such as cauliflower rice.
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