Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets
Add Preferred SourceIf you’ve been trying to add more plant-based meals to your week without giving up the comfort foods you love, these Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets are a great place to start. They’re made with tofu and a handful of pantry staples—thanks to the air fryer, you get a crispy outside and soft center without needing a bunch of oil or a deep fryer. Enjoy them as a snack, pack them in a lunchbox, or serve them up with your favorite sides.
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I make these nuggets when we’ve got people over or I need something easy for a family dinner, as they’re kid-friendly or a game day spread that works for everyone—vegans, picky eaters, even meat lovers. They store well, freeze beautifully, and reheat like a dream—perfect to make ahead, so you’ll probably find yourself making them again soon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.c
If you follow my simple steps, you’ll have golden, crispy tofu nuggets that hit all the right notes in no time.
Tear and Prep the Tofu
Tear the extra firm tofu into nugget-sized chunks with your hands. You don’t want uniform cubes here—those jagged edges help the coating stick better and create more texture once air-fried.
Set Up the Coating Station
In one bowl, whisk together the flour and almond milk until smooth. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
This double-dip setup is what gives you that crispy, flavorful coating.
Coat the Nuggets
Dip each tofu piece into the flour mixture, then roll it around in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure each piece is fully covered—you want that crispy shell all the way around.
Air Fry Until Crisp
Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in your air fryer basket or on a tray, leaving a bit of space between them so they all cook evenly.
Give them a light spray of oil to help them crisp up, then air fry at 350ºF (180ºC) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and firm to the touch.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve the nuggets hot, fresh out of the air fryer. Pair them with your favorite dip—vegan mayo, spicy ketchup, BBQ sauce, or anything else you love.
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
I’ve made these nuggets plenty of times, so here are my best tips to help you get it right from the start.
- Press the Tofu First: If your tofu feels watery, press it in a tofus press for 15–30 minutes. The drier it is, the better it will crisp up and absorb the seasoning. It’s also best to use super firm tofu.
- Tear, Don’t Slice: Tearing the tofu gives it rough edges that grab onto the breadcrumb coating, giving it an overall better texture.
- Smooth Out the Batter: Stir the almond milk and flour until completely smooth—this helps the coating stick better and creates a nice base for the breadcrumbs.
- Try Panko Breadcrumbs for More Crunch: If you like your nuggets extra crispy, swap regular breadcrumbs for panko—it makes a big difference in texture.
- Space Them Out: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the nuggets cook evenly and crisp up properly. Cook in batches if you need to.
- Don’t Skip the Spray Oil: A light mist of oil makes a difference in how golden and crispy the nuggets get.
- Start Checking at 12 Minutes: Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so give them a peek at 12 minutes and add a couple more if needed.
- Eat Them Fresh If You Can: These nuggets are best hot and crisp right after cooking. If you’re storing them, a quick reheat in the air fryer brings back all that crispness.
How to Store Leftovers
Let the nuggets cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re hot and crispy again.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—just freeze them on a tray first so they don’t stick together, then transfer them to a sealed container or freezer bag. They reheat beautifully straight from frozen, making them a great make-ahead option for lunches or quick dinners.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets go with just about anything. Try them with crispy sweet potato wedges, a simple green salad, or coleslaw if you want to keep things light. You can also serve them alongside vegan mac and cheese, baked beans, or over a grain bowl with roasted veggies.
They’re especially good with a few dipping sauces on the side—vegan buffalo sauce, sweet chili sauce, onion dip, ranch dip, spinach artichoke, mayo, ketchup, or cashew queso all work great.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I’ve got plenty more air fryer favorites that are just as easy to make and great for sharing.
- Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
- Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Ingredients
- ½ pound tofu block
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup almond milk
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the tofu block with your hands to make nugget shapes.½ pound tofu
- Add the flour and almond milk to a small bowl.½ cup flour, ¼ cup almond milk
- Mix breadcrumbs, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper
- Dip each piece into the flour and almond milk. Then dip them into the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- Arrange them in a tray and coat them with cooking spray. Bake in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy with mayo or your chosen dip.
Notes
- Press the Tofu First: If your tofu feels watery, press it for 15–30 minutes. The drier it is, the better it will crisp up and absorb the seasoning.
- Tear, Don’t Slice: Tearing the tofu gives it rough edges that grab onto the breadcrumb coating, giving it an overall better texture.
- Smooth Out the Batter: Stir the almond milk and flour until completely smooth—this helps the coating stick better and creates a nice base for the breadcrumbs.
- Try Panko for More Crunch: If you like your nuggets extra crispy, swap regular breadcrumbs for panko—it makes a big difference in texture.
- Space Them Out: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the nuggets cook evenly and crisp up properly. Cook in batches if you need to.
- Don’t Skip the Spray Oil: A light mist of oil makes a difference in how golden and crispy the nuggets get.
- Start Checking at 12 Minutes: Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so give them a peek at 12 minutes and add a couple more if needed.
- Eat Them Fresh If You Can: These nuggets are best hot and crisp right after cooking. If you’re storing them, a quick reheat in the air fryer brings back all that crispness.
