• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Aline Made logo
  • Recipes
    • Vegan
    • Breakfast
    • Sides & Snacks
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Basics
    • Baking
    • Drinks
    • Vegan Summer E-Book
    • Measurement Conversion Chart
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Deutsch
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Meet Aline
  • Deutsch
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Tofu Nuggets – Vegan Chicken Nuggets

    Jul 9, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    43 shares

    Read in: Deutsch

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    tofu nuggets pinterest pin

    Crispy tofu nuggets that will remind you of vegan chicken nuggets! High in protein, crispy, and incredibly delicious!

    homemade vegan chicken nuggets on a blue plate
    Jump to:
    • Tofu Marinade
    • Crunchy Coating
    • How To Make This Tofu Nuggets Recipe
    • Recipe FAQ & Tips
    • More Vegan Tofu Recipes You’ll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Tofu Nuggets – what’s that? Tofu chicken nuggets, feel free to call them vegan chicken nuggets, are marinated pieces of tofu with a crunchy crust made with cornflakes cooked in a little oil until golden brown and crispy.

    Why call them vegan chicken nuggets? I am sure they remind you of real chicken nuggets as they are similar in taste, texture, and crispiness. Although, 100% plant-based! 

    close up shot of vegan chicken nuggets with mango chutney

    Tofu is high in protein, making these vegan nuggets an excellent and delicious protein source that can be served as a snack, finger food, or main dish. I love to serve vegan chicken nuggets with this Thai cucumber salad or polenta fries, which makes for a wonderful family lunch or dinner. Feel free to serve them with a side dish of your choice.

    Don’t forget to include some dipping sauces such as ketchup, vegan mayo, or BBQ sauce. My recommendation: Dip them in mango chutney – incredibly delicious!

    vegan nuggets with mango chutney dip

    Homemade vegan chicken nuggets should be favored over the storebought version. Sure, there are plenty of vegan chicken nugget options to buy in the grocery store, but they often come with extra sugar and ingredients you better stay away from when following a balanced diet.

    It’s ok to eat processed food from time to time, but I would rather suggest making them at home. Besides, the recipe is super easy to make. Plus, vegan nuggets are healthier, fresher, and more delicious when homemade.

    Tofu Marinade

    Tofu itself is relatively flavorless. Therefore, a marinade is non-negotiable – don’t skip it. The marinade consists of ketchup, soy sauce, mustard, maple syrup, curry powder, and salt! Enough salt is essential; otherwise, the vegan nuggets will taste bland.

    You can marinate the tofu up to one day in advance and store it overnight in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Good preparation is half the battle! 😉

    crispy tofu with cornflakes crust on a white plate

    Crunchy Coating

    There are three parts involved to make the most crunchy coated nuggets:

    1. Flour (white flour, whole wheat flour, spelt flour, or gluten-free flour).
    2. Dairy-free milk and cornstarch (e.g., oat milk or soy milk – preferably unsweetened)
    3. Cornflakes (preferably unsweetened or with only a little sugar)
    tofu chicken nuggets coating

    Toss the marinated tofu pieces in this order. The smaller the cornflakes (pulse in a food processor), the better they stick. 

    How To Make This Tofu Nuggets Recipe

    Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips. â†’ Plus, make sure to watch the recipe video! 😉

    • Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Slice the tofu in 8 thin triangles (or sticks/square/rectangle – whichever you prefer).
    • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl. Brush each tofu piece with it and place them in a deep dish or plate. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. â†’ Feel free to marinate the tofu covered overnight in the fridge.
    • Place the cornflakes in a food processor and pulse a few times until it resembles coarse crumbs. â†’ If you don’t have a food processor, place them in a zip blog bag and crunch using a rolling pin.
    • Prepare 3 deep dishes: 1. Flour, 2. Mix dairy-free milk and cornstarch, 3. Cornflakes.
    Tofu Nuggets Recipe Step-1-4
    • Using two forks, dip each tofu first in the flour, then in the milk-cornstarch-mix, and then in the cornflakes. Make sure to gently press the cornflakes onto the tofu using your fingers. â†’ To make the cornflakes stick better to the tofu!
    Tofu Nuggets Recipe Step-5-8
    • Heat a skillet with oil and fry each side for about 5 minutes until golden brown. â†’ Place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil before serving.
    Tofu Nuggets Recipe Step-9-12
    • I love to serve them with mango chutney!
    vegan tofu nuggets on a blue plate

    Recipe FAQ & Tips

    Can I keep leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, they lose their chirpiness when stored in the refrigerator. I like to eat them chilled out of the fridge, but you can reheat them in a skillet with some oil if you prefer crispy and warm tofu nuggets.

    Which tofu to use? Make sure to go for extra firm tofu! Keeps its texture better and soaks up more marinade than any other tofu variation.

    How to make gluten-free vegan chicken nuggets? Swap flour with gluten-free flour and use tamari, also known as gluten-free soy sauce. This recipe is not calling for breadcrumbs (as some other tofu chicken nugget recipes do). Instead, they are made with cornflakes, which are naturally gluten-free, and in my opinion, resulting in crispier nuggets. Win-Win!

    More Vegan Tofu Recipes You’ll Love

    • Vegan Tofu Bacon
    • Vegan Tofu Feta Cheese
    • Sweet and Sour Tofu
    • Orange Tofu – Vegan Orange Chicken
    • Vegan Tofu Dumplings

    If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. 

    Please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or sign up for my free newsletter to never miss the newest recipes. I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community & thank you so much for your support! 💕

    📖 Recipe

    vegan tofu nuggets on a blue plate

    Tofu Nuggets – Vegan Chicken Nuggets

    Aline Cueni
    Crispy tofu nuggets that will remind you of vegan chicken nuggets! High in protein, crispy, and incredibly delicious!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 8 Nuggets
    Calories 121 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 7 oz (200 g) extra firm tofu

    Marinade

    • 3 tbsp ketchup
    • ½ tbsp soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
    • 1 tsp mustard
    • 1 tsp maple syrup
    • ½ tsp curry powder
    • ½ tsp salt

    Tofu Nuggets

    • 2 cups (80 g) unsweetened corn flakes
    • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
    • 3 tbsp dairy-free milk
    • ½ tsp cornstarch
    • 4 tbsp oil

    Instructions
     

    • Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Slice the tofu in 8 thin triangles (or sticks/square/rectangle – whichever you prefer).
    • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl. Brush each tofu piece with it and place them in a deep dish or plate. Set aside to marinade while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. → Feel free to marinade the tofu covered overnight in the fridge.
    • Place the cornflakes in a food processor and pulse a few times until it resembles coarse crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, place them in a zipblog bag and crunch using a rolling pin.
    • Prepare 3 deep dishes: 1. Flour, 2. Mix dairy-free milk and cornstarch, 3. Cornflakes.
    • Using two forks, dip each tofu first in the flour, then in the milk-cornstarch-mix, and then in the cornflakes. Make sure to gently press the cornflakes onto the tofu using your fingers. → To make them stick better to the tofu!
    • Heat a skillet with oil and fry each side for about 5 minutes until golden brown. → Place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil before serving.
    • I love to serve them with mango chutney!

    Notes

    • Leftovers can be stored for up to two days in the fridge. However, they lose their chirpiness when stored in the refrigerator. I like to eat them chilled out of the fridge, but you can reheat them in a skillet with some oil if you prefer crispy and warm tofu nuggets.
    • Gluten-Free? Use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) and gluten-free flour. 

    Recommended Products

    Tofu Press
    Food Processor
    Non-Stick Frypan

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Tofu Nuggets – Vegan Chicken Nuggets
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 121 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 5g
    Sodium 336mg15%
    Potassium 85mg2%
    Carbohydrates 10g3%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 178IU4%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 19mg2%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Recipe Ideas

    • vegan poke bowl with tofu
      Vegan Poke Bowl
    • miso ramen with tofu in a ramen bowl
      Miso Ramen
    • a bowl of tan tan ramen
      Tan Tan Ramen
    • vegan penne alla vodka in a skillet
      Vegan Penne Alla Vodka

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Aline Cueni | Founder & Blogger Aline Made

    Welcome

    Hi, I’m Aline!

    I’m a girl who loves to cook and bake delicious homemade food.  Let me help you to incorporate more plant-based foods into everyday life! Vegetarian & vegan recipes can be anything but boring. More about me!

    DON’T MISS A RECIPE

    Sign up now to get new recipes delivered to your inbox, plus my top 10 recipes ebook absolutely free!

    Popular Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Connect

    Join our community on social media!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Change language

    EN | DE

    About

    • Meet Aline
    • Work With Us
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Resources
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 Aline Made

    43 shares