Crispy Vegan Tofu Nuggets (Baked)

If you are looking for the best crispy vegan tofu nuggets, you have come to the right place. I am obsessed with vegan nuggets so of course, these had to be perfect.

These crispy vegan tofu nuggets are golden, crunchy, and baked to perfection, no deep-frying required. They’re easy enough for weeknights but fun enough for parties, game days, or even picky eaters who think they don’t like tofu.

They’re lightly seasoned, baked until crisp, and taste amazing dipped in your favourite sauce. Whether you serve them as a snack, a main, or pack them into lunchboxes, they always disappear fast.

The nuggets are double-dredged in two different mixtures so the coating is extra crispy and delicious!

Of course, I buy vegan nuggets from the store, but then you are stuck with frozen kinds in random sub-par flavors.

Making your own tofu chicken nuggets is so much healthier, easier, and you can customize the taste!

All you really need is some tofu, flour and breadcrumbs, vegan milk, and spices to season the nuggets with!

These are baked tofu nuggets which means that there is very little oil in this recipe. In fact, there is only 2 tablespoons of oil in the whole thing!

Crispy baked tofu is the perfect way to make vegan nuggets that are on the healthier side while still being crunch!

I hope you enjoy this fantastically easy and tasty recipe!

Creating The Crispy Tofu Nugget Shape

I am going to let you in on a little secret. A few years ago, I got a nugget shaped cookie cutter on Amazon.

It has been the weirdest purchase but also the most useful purchase. For this recipe, it helped me get the baked tofu nuggets to look more like a chicken nugget shape.

I wish I could link the Amazon link but I can no longer find the nugget cutter.

As a result, I would use a Small Cookie Cutter Like This! There are multiple shapes and you can cut out small circles, ovals, squares, or egg shapes.

I like circles, ovals, or egg shapes the best because they make dipping easier!

If you don’t want to buy cookie cutters on Amazon, then I recommend just cutting your tofu nuggets any way you want!

The easiest way is to cut them into even-sized squares. These won’t look like vegan nuggets from the store, but they are easy to make at home when you are in a time crunch.

You can also choose to make vegan chicken strips by simply cutting your tofu in thin strips and baking it that way!

Finally, you can even throw away the idea of tofu nuggets and make this exact recipe into crispy baked tofu by simply slicing the tofu into large flat pieces like filets!

My personal favorite way to make the tofu chicken nuggets [without using my nugget slicer] is by cutting them into squares or using another cookie cutter shape that makes dipping and cutting easy!

How To Make Baked Tofu Chicken Nuggets

Making these baked tofu chicken nuggets is so easy! You don’t have to fry them on the stove which saves you a ton of time! After you dredge them, you simply bake them and go about your business!

Perhaps while they are baking, you can whip up a Vegan Chopped Salad for a side dish!

The first thing you are going to want to do is prepare your marinade for the tofu nuggets.

The marinade consists of soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. You can customize by trying to add more ingredients if you like!

Next, cut your tofu into the shape you want your nuggets to be. Again, I recommend using a small cookie cutter, cutting squares, or cutting strips.

Place your tofu nuggets in the marinade and let marinade for 30 minutes. You can even marinade for up to 12 hours if you really want your tofu to absorb all the flavor.

If you are short on time, marinade for 5 minutes. You want to soak up at least some flavor to give the tofu chicken nuggets their flavor!

In a medium-size bowl, you are going to combine milk and apple cider vinegar.

In another bowl, you are going to combine the bread crumbs (can be Gluten-free) with all of the spices listed in the recipe.

You will then take a tofu nugget from the marinade, coat it with flour, and dip it in the bowl of milk.

Then, you will double dip it and dredge it through the breadcrumbs bowl. Make sure to dredge well so that each tofu nugget gets covered completely!

For the best crispy baked tofu nuggets, place the nuggets on a baking sheet and bake at 400F for 20 minutes. Then turn and cook for 10 more minutes!

That is it! The longest part of this recipe is marinading the tofu chicken nuggets. I would not skip this step as it allows the tofu to absorb the flavor.

If you are short on time, just marinade for a shorter amount of time!

How To Store The Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets

The crispy nature is the hallmark of this recipe! Of course, when you store them, you are going to want to ensure that they are crispy when you eat them again!

You can store the leftover vegan nuggets in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-4 days.

To reheat, simply put your oven on 350 and bake the tofu nuggets for a few minutes until warm. You can also use a toaster oven as it is smaller and cooks faster!

How to Make Them Gluten-Free

If you need these tofu nuggets to be gluten-free, it’s simple. Just use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes). Everything else in this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

They turn out just as crispy and flavourful, so you don’t have to sacrifice texture for dietary needs.

What to Serve With Vegan Tofu Nuggets

These nuggets aren’t just for quick dinners, they’re great as a holiday appetizer, game-day snack, or kid-friendly party dish. Serve them with:

• Vegan mashed potatoes and gravy
• A side of roasted broccoli or vegan mac and cheese
• Fresh veggie sticks and dipping sauces like vegan ranch or BBQ sauce

You can even turn them into a meal by adding them to wraps or grain bowls with rice and veggies.

Vegan Tofu Nuggets FAQ

Can I air fry these tofu nuggets instead of baking them?
Yes! Pop them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll come out extra crispy and cook quicker.

Can I make them ahead of time?
Definitely. You can prep and coat the tofu in advance, then refrigerate it (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, just bake or air fry as directed. They also reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crunch.

Can I freeze baked tofu nuggets?
Yes! Freeze them in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes.

What’s the best dipping sauce for tofu nuggets?
They go with almost anything, BBQ sauce, vegan ranch, hot honey, buffalo sauce, or even vegan aioli.

Here are some Toaster Ovens I Recommend if you don’t already have one!

You can also eat the crispy baked tofu cold in a Vegan Burrito if you don’t want to reheat it! This is great for meal-prepping!

If you want the nuggets to keep for longer, you can also freeze them! Freeze them in a freezer-tight container and then reheat until warm on a 350 degree oven!