Nutritional Yeast Tofu Nuggets (Air Fryer)
Crispy, plant-based tofu nuggets made in the air fryer with a savory nutritional yeast coating. Pressed extra-firm tofu ensures the crust sticks and turns golden at 390°F. Simple pantry spices add big flavor with minimal prep.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Heavy pan
- Shallow bowls
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 14 oz extra-firm tofu pressed 20 minutes
- 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or vegetable broth powder
- as needed sesame oil spray for spraying air fryer basket (optional)
Instructions
- Press tofu between layers of paper towels with a heavy pan on top for 20 minutes.
- Cut pressed tofu into nugget-sized pieces about 1 inch thick.
- Mix soy sauce, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and poultry seasoning in a shallow bowl.
- Combine nutritional yeast with remaining dry spices in another shallow bowl.
- Dip each tofu piece in the soy sauce mixture, then coat thoroughly in the nutritional yeast mixture.
- Spray air fryer basket with sesame oil spray or line with parchment with holes.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer without touching.
- Air fry at 390°F for 15 minutes, flipping at the 8-minute mark.
Notes
- To prevent sticking, spray the basket with sesame oil or use parchment with holes.
- Press tofu for the full 20 minutes so the coating adheres; if using super-firm tofu, 10 minutes is enough.
- Cook at 390°F for 15 minutes for best crisp; 370°F didn’t brown the edges as well.
- Variation ideas: add 1 teaspoon cayenne to the coating for heat; or replace half the nutritional yeast with panko for extra crunch.
- Best dips: sweet chili sauce or garlic aioli.
- Storage: refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes or in the oven at 400°F for 8 minutes on a rack; freezing not recommended.