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A white bowl filled with crispy Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets and a small dish of white dipping sauce, set on a light gray surface.

Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets

If you want a meatless option that’s easy to pull off and still feels like a win, these Air Fryer Vegan Chicken Nuggets are worth keeping in your regular rotation. Made with tofu and everyday ingredients, they come out crisp and golden in the air fryer—no deep frying or a pool of oil. You can throw them together for dinners, gamedays, snacks, or even quick lunches, and they always get finished. They’re also great for prepping ahead since they store well, freeze easily, and reheat without losing all that flavor and crispy bite.
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 81kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

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
US Customary - Metric

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
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