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Delish Knowledge

Nashville Hot Tofu Nuggets

A small white plate holds several golden-brown, crispy vegan tofu nuggets coated in a glossy, Nashville Hot reddish-brown sauce. The background is blurred and gray, drawing focus to the saucy tofu pieces.
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Crispy Nashville Hot Tofu nuggets made in the air fryer or the oven! These nuggets are easily vegan and a must for spice lovers. Enjoy them on their own, in a wrap, or in my kale salad with avocado ranch.
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter, regular or dairy-free; neutral oil is also OK
  • 1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, depending on your heat preference
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar, depending on your sweetness preference
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Press the tofu to remove excess water. Tear the tofu into bite-size nugget pieces, then place in a large bowl.
  • Add the cornstarch and oil and gently toss until the tofu is well coated. Place in a single layer in an Air Fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, until tofu is golden brown and very crispy on the outside.
  • While the tofu is cooking, melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, add the rest of the spice ingredients until well combined. The mixture should be like a thin BBQ sauce. If you aren't sure how spicy you want the nuggets, start with 1 tablespoon of cayenne and add from there.
    1-2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 1-2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Add the cooked tofu to the sauce and toss well, the nuggets should be very well coated in the sauce. Enjoy right away!

Notes

If you want to bake these nuggets, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a rimmed cooling rack, then lightly spray the rack with oil. Prep the tofu as directed and then cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through so they cook evenly. Toss with the sauce. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 745mgPotassium: 223mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1271IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg
Course: main, Snack, tofu
Cuisine: American
Author: Alexandra Caspero