Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
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Tofu isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Although, tofu definitely isn’t tea. Tofu is made from soybeans and water. There are also different textures of tofu. I like using soft tofu in desserts and soups, and firm to extra firm tofu for nuggets, stir-fry, and tofu steaks.
Although you can taste it, tofu doesn’t have a strong taste, and can adapt to a wide variety of recipes, marinades and seasoning packs. It is also very absorbent, allowing the flavor to be easily manipulated. I love frying it up in some olive oil, salt, and pepper, then dipping it into some hot sauce as a snack. Another great way to enjoy tofu is in a butter garlic or teriyaki stir-fry. When it comes to tofu nuggets, I use almond and/or flaxseed, combined with seasoning, as the breading.
I am neither vegan nor vegetarian. I eat chicken and seafood, along with all my veggies and fruits. I just happen to love tofu after experiencing it. Tofu also doesn’t feel heavy on my gut and my body. I usually have a pack of fresh tofu in my refrigerator, ready to be cooked. It is affordable and great to have on standby if you are a gut sensitive momma like me. You can easily and quicky prepare it and season it according to the meal you are eating. One meal I like to alter with tofu is tacos! My family loves beef tacos and I do too. My gut, however, doesn’t always agree with me.
This recipe is quick and simple. The seasoning pack can also be used with breadcrumbs, cornstarch, and flour. If you prefer to use a binder, you can. However, the texture and wetness of the tofu holds the breading on with ease. You can also adjust the breading level to your liking, as I tend to go a bit heavy with it.
Ingredients
- Firm-extra firm tofu
- Fresh almonds
- Flaxseed or flax meal
- Onion – granulated or powdered
- Garlic – granulated or powdered
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Ground mustard
- Parsley flakes
- Kosher salt to taste
For this recipe, the amount of seasoning is subjective. Use as much or as little as you’d like.
Instructions
Tear or cut your tofu into nugget sized pieces. Allow the pieces to sit and drain out a little while you prepare the “breading.”
Now, combine the almonds and flaxseeds together into your blender or food processor, and blend until you have reached your desired texture. I like to make mine fine and close to bread crumb size. If you don’t have a blender or food processor, just seal them in a bag and crush them with a heavy tool, such as a meat cleaver.
After you grind up your nuts and seeds, add your dry seasonings and blend until the seasoning is spread evenly.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
If you have a venting (cooling/heating) rack, place it over your baking sheet and place your crusted tofu nuggets on the rack. This will allow excess water to drain down into the baking sheet while they cook, keeping the tofu crispy.
Bake the tofu nuggets for 15-20 minutes.
Pan Fry
Pour cooking oil into a skillet (1/4-1/2 inch high)
Turn the heat to medium or medium-high, but don’t burn the oil.
Fry each nugget for 3-5 minutes on each side.
Air Fry
Coat each nugget with the almond breading and place into the air fryer basket.
Cook the nuggets for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees F.
That’s it; your tofu nuggets are ready!
They are SUPER tasty, and even better with my homemade BBQ sauce.
About This Recipe
This recipe was mostly inspired by my daughter. She loves her veggies and occasional meat, but often asks to skip out on the meat at dinner time. After she asked to try tofu, I thought of some ways to add extra protein to her meal (She doesn’t eat enough nuggets to meet her daily value). This is what inspired my ground almond and flaxseed idea.
Being that I have already tried almond crusting with her, I knew she’d like it. I like how ground mustard brightens up any recipe. This is why it is a staple ingredient in a lot of my recipes. Although I used the air fryer this time. I am no newbie to tofu. I have found that it is just as tasty and textured no matter which method you prefer.
Yes, tofu IS healthy!
With all food, you need to eat in moderation. We eat to live; we don’t live to eat. Too much of anything, including water, can have adverse effects on your health. Firm tofu contains around 20 grams pf protein per half cup and helps to lower the risk of heart disease, according to heart.org and the FDA.
I personally feel like the name makes tofu seem gross. The word tofu is not flattering in the least bit. Ironically, it has a pleasant texture and bland but ok taste. Firm tofu nuggets do a great job at mimicking the texture of a chicken nugget. What’s even better about tofu is the fact that it can do WAY MORE than chicken. Tofu can also be used as the base to a healthier dessert.
With tofu being as absorbent as it is, you can easily manipulate it into a sweet and tasty treat. Tofu is also very affordable, making your wallet happy. With it having a decent shelf (the refrigerator shelf) life, health benefits, and affordable pricing, tofu is a no brainer. This is why I always have some on standby.
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