Ingredients
																
							Scale
													
									
			- 350g extra-firm tofu (frozen, defrosted & squeezed of excess water)
 - 1–1½ tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
 - ½ cup plain panko bread crumbs, toasted
 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
 - ¼ teaspoon salt
 - 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
 - ⅓ cup cornstarch
 - ⅓ cup soy milk
 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
 
Instructions
Tofu Preparation:
- Freeze extra-firm tofu for at least 24 hours
 - Thaw completely (overnight in fridge or few hours on counter)
 - Press out water by wrapping in towels and placing heavy object on top for at least 20 minutes
 - Tear into irregular 1-1½ inch chunks
 - Toss with tamari or soy sauce and let marinate for 10 minutes
 
Coating Process:
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
 - Toast panko breadcrumbs in dry skillet for 2-3 minutes until golden
 - Set up three bowls: cornstarch in first, soy milk mixed with apple cider vinegar in second, seasoned toasted breadcrumbs in third
 - Coat each piece: dip in cornstarch, then soy milk mixture, then breadcrumbs
 - Arrange coated nuggets on baking sheet with space between pieces
 
Baking:
- Bake for 15 minutes without opening oven door
 - Flip each nugget and bake another 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy
 
Notes
- Must freeze tofu for at least 24 hours before use – this creates better texture
 - Press out ALL water possible (20+ minutes) – more water removal = better results
 - Tear tofu into chunks rather than cutting for crispier edges
 - Toast panko breadcrumbs first for extra flavor and crunch
 - Use soy milk specifically (other plant milks won’t work properly)
 - Bake at high heat (425°F) – essential for crispy exterior
 - Don’t open oven door during first 15 minutes of baking
 - Flip nuggets halfway through for even browning
 - Leave space between nuggets on baking sheet to prevent steaming
 
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
 - Cook Time: 30 minutes
 - Category: Appetizer
 - Method: Baking
 - Cuisine: American
 
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 nuggets
 - Calories: 220 kcal
 - Sugar: 2 g
 - Sodium: 420 mg
 - Fat: 11 g
 - Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
 - Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
 - Trans Fat: 0 g
 - Carbohydrates: 15 g
 - Fiber: 3 g
 - Protein: 17 g
 - Cholesterol: 0 mg