These Tofu Tenders are crispy, delicious and easy to make with succulent slices of tofu coated in a flavorful and crunchy breading. Chicken nuggets get a vegan makeover in this easy recipe that bake up nice and perfectly crispy in the oven or air fryer. Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, low carb and keto-friendly.
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Crispy Tofu Tenders Recipe
Looking for a fun and delicious vegan dinner using tofu? These crispy Tofu Tenders will become your go-to chicken tender replacement recipe.
They have every delicious quality of a classic chicken tender – from the crispiness of the breading to the tenderness of the protein inside. And the seasonings provide the perfect chicken-like flavor.
Why you should make Crispy Vegan “Chicken” Nuggets with Tofu
Just like our crispy tofu nuggets, this tofu tenders recipe is gluten-free and vegan, but it also caters to grain-free, dairy-free and low-carb diets. So grab your favorite dipping sauce and let’s get cooking.
- They’re easy to make in just about 20 minutes
- Includes oven or air fryer instrutions
- Kid-friendly and works great for meal prep
What You’ll Need
These vegan tenders are made with just a handful of ingredients, and they’re all kitchen staples!
- Tofu: Extra firm.
- Ground Almonds: You’ll need 1 cup.
- Shredded Coconut: Unsweetened.
- Nutritional Yeast: For added protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
- Cajun Spice Seasoning: About 2 teaspoons.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Almond Milk: Unsweetened.
How to Make Tofu Tenders
There’s a reason we love making these crispy tofu tenders when we are pressed for time. They come together super fast with minimal effort!
- Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the tofu into 3-inch strips and place them on a plate. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Make Breading: In a food processor, add the ground almonds, coconut, nutritional yeast, Cajun spice, salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds, until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- Coat Tofu: Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl. Take a slice of tofu, dunk it into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with the remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking tray.
- Bake: Spray some cooking oil onto the tofu tenders and place them in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until golden.
- Enjoy! Serve the nuggets warm with your favorite dip(s).
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! To make air fryer tofu tenders, all you have to do is follow the same steps as above by cuting the tofu and making the breading.
- Preheat air fryer: If your air fryer has a preheating setting, preheat air fryer in to 350F. Cut the tofu into 3-inch strips and place them on a plate. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Make Breading: In a food processor, add the ground almonds, coconut, nutritional yeast, Cajun spice, salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds, until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- Coat Tofu: Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl. Take a slice of tofu, dunk it into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with the remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking tray.
- Cook Tofu: 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
Want to make sure your tofu tenders come out perfectly crispy and delicious? Just take note of these simple tips!
- Press the Tofu: It’s always a good idea to press tofu before cooking with it. Place the entire block between two paper towels and put a few heavy dishes on top, letting it sit for about 5 minutes. This way, there won’t be any excess water in the tofu and your nuggets will come out as crispy as can be!
- Slice Strips Evenly: Getting evenly-sliced tofu strips ensures that they all bake evenly. Take the time to measure them as you go.
- Coat Tofu Twice: Don’t forget to coat each strip of tofu twice in the almond milk and the breading. This makes for an ultra crispy crust around your tofu!
- Try Them Fried: If you’d like, you can fry these nuggets instead of baking them. Flip them over halfway through and don’t crowd the frying pan. It should take about 4-5 minutes to cook each side.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy tofu cutlets are so good, you could definitely munch on them plain! But there are also plenty of yummy dips and side dishes you can pair them with.
- Serve with Sriracha Dip: This vegan Sriracha Dipping Sauce is a spicy delight! And it goes so well with crispy tofu tenders.
- Pair with Zucchini Fries: Turn these nuggets into a complete vegan meal by serving them with these Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries! They’re made with garlic salt, Italian seasoning and vegan parmesan.
- Serve with Mashed Potatoes: Chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes are both quality comfort foods, so why not put them together?! Keep things vegan by pairing these mock chicken tenders with our Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover tofu tenders will stay good for up to 4 days. Refrigerate them in an airtight container after they’ve cooled completely. To reheat them, place the nuggets in a 350°F oven and bake them for a few minutes, until hot.
Can I Freeze Crispy Tofu Tenders?
For sure! Once cooled, leftover nuggets can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge or reheat them directly from frozen. If they’re still frozen, they’ll need a few extra minutes in the oven.
More Easy Tofu Recipes to Try
Tofu is such a versatile meat substitute. Try these recipes next!
- Teriyaki Tofu
- Sesame Tofu
- Orange Tofu
- Tofu Fries
- Easy Tofu Stir Fry
- Tofu Fries
- Air Fryer Tofu
- How to Cook Tofu
These Tofu Tenders are crispy, delicious and easy to make with succulent slices of tofu coated in a flavorful and crunchy breading. Chicken nuggets get a vegan makeover in this easy recipe that bake up nice and perfectly crispy in the oven or air fryer. Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, low carb and keto-friendly.
- 1 lb extra firm tofu
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp Cajun spice seasoning
- salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut tofu into 3 inch strips and place on a plate. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a food processor add the ground almonds, coconut, nutritional yeast, Cajun spice and salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl. Take a slice of tofu, dunk into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking tray.
Spray some cooking oil onto the tofu tenders and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden. Serve with your favourite dips.
Preheat air fryer: If your air fryer has a preheating setting, preheat air fryer in to 350F. Cut the tofu into 3-inch strips and place them on a plate. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Make Breading: In a food processor, add the ground almonds, coconut, nutritional yeast, Cajun spice, salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds, until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
Coat Tofu: Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl. Take a slice of tofu, dunk it into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with the remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking tray
Cook Tofu: 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.
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