You ever bite into something so unexpectedly crispy that you sit there like, “Wait… did I make this?”
Yeah, that was me the first time I whipped up these Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets. I swear, even my tofu-hating cousin (the one who thinks tofu is a “sad beige sponge”) asked for seconds. Honestly, I took that as a personal victory.

If you’ve been trying to crack the code for tofu that’s actually fun to eat—crispy, flavorful, dunkable, kid-approved, all that—trust me, this recipe is the one. And no, you don’t need to be a tofu guru or some Pinterest-perfect human. You just need the right tricks, a solid air fryer, and the willingness to get a little messy in the kitchen. 🙂

So grab a coffee… or like, a dipping sauce. Let’s get cooking.

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⭐ Why Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets Are My Weekly Go-To

I know you’ve seen tofu recipes all over Pinterest—some look amazing, some look like regrets waiting to happen. These nuggets though? They hit different.

Here’s why I keep making them:

• They taste like comfort food without all the deep-fried guilt.
• The texture stays crunchy, even when you reheat them.
• The cleanup is stupidly easy (thank you, air fryer liners).
• They actually fill you up, unlike some trendy vegan snacks that leave you hunting for chips afterward.
• They’re perfect for meal prep. Ever want a snack that’s not baby carrots? Exactly.

And let me just be honest: any excuse to use my COSORI Pro II Air Fryer is a good excuse. That thing might as well be my sous chef.

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🧽 The Secret to Perfect Tofu Nuggets (Stuff Nobody Actually Tells You)

Ever wonder why your tofu sometimes ends up mushy or boring? FYI, it’s not you. It’s the tofu.
Or… well, it might be you, but only because nobody told you the insider tricks. Here’s what I learned the hard way (many, many soggy tofu attempts later):

1. Press Your Tofu Like It Owes You Money

I’m not joking. Press it.
Use a TofuBud Tofu Press (again, search it on Amazon) or stack heavy books on top. Get that water out.
Drier tofu = crispier nuggets.

2. Freeze Your Tofu First (Optional but Magical)

If you’ve never tried this—OMG.
Freezing changes the texture so it becomes chewier and meatier. Almost nugget-like. You thaw, press again, and you’re golden.

3. Cornstarch Is the MVP

A light cornstarch coating gives you that fried-chicken crunch without frying anything.
Don’t skip it unless you enjoy sadness.

4. Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer

Give your tofu some personal space.
If they touch, they steam. If they steam, they turn soft. And we don’t want soft.

5. Use Panko for Extreme Crunch

Regular breadcrumbs = meh.
Panko = “wait… IS this chicken?!”

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🍗 Ingredients You’ll Need (Minimal, I Promise)

For the Marinade

• 1 block extra-firm tofu (pressed)
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Crunchy Coating

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp salt

Optional Dipping Sauces

• BBQ sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Honey mustard
• Ranch (because why not)

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🍽️ How to Make the Best Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Press the Tofu

Grab your TofuBud Press or DIY version and press for at least 20–30 minutes.
Get it as dry as reasonably possible. The dryer it is, the crispier it gets. Who knew tofu was so high-maintenance?

Step 2: Cut It Into Nugget Shapes

You can cube it, tear it, or slice it.
IMO, tearing gives that rustic, nugget-y vibe. Plus it holds marinade better.
Ever tear tofu? It’s strangely therapeutic.

Step 3: Make the Marinade

Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
Add tofu pieces.
Toss well so everything gets coated.
Let it sit for at least 10–15 minutes (or overnight if you’ve got your life together).

Step 4: Coat With Crunch

In a separate bowl, mix:

• panko
• cornstarch
• paprika
• salt

Dip marinated tofu into the mixture. Press lightly so it sticks.

Step 5: Air Fry

Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
Spray basket with oil.
Add tofu in a single layer.
Air fry for 10 minutes, flip, and fry another 8–10 minutes until crispy.

If you’re using a smaller air fryer, do this in batches.
Trust me—no shortcuts here.

Step 6: Serve Hot

Dip. Bite. Repeat.
Try not to eat the whole tray before anyone else notices. (I fail every time.)

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🔥 Tips, Tricks, and Extra Flavor Ideas

These nuggets are great as-is, but if you want to take them from “dang, this is good,” to “holy crunch, who am I?” try these:

✔ Toss them in buffalo sauce afterward

Buffalo + tofu = chef’s kiss.

✔ Add nutritional yeast to the coating

Gives cheesy flavor without cheese.

✔ Use the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer

Heats super evenly. My friend swears by hers.

✔ Want gluten-free?

Use GF panko and tamari instead of soy sauce.

✔ Reheat?

Just pop them back in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes. They crisp back up like magic.

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🍱 How to Serve These Nuggets (Because Options = Happiness)

• Toss into salads
• Put inside wraps
• Serve like chicken nuggets with fries
• Add to bowls with rice + veggies
• Meal prep for lunches
• Netflix snack (my highly recommended method)

Ever dip these into honey mustard while binge-watching something trashy? 10/10 experience.