Tofu Nuggies

“Explain it again…with those Nuggies.”  (-Chiefs Coach Andy Reid in State Farm commercial 2023)

I don’t know if your team won or lost at Super Bowl LVIII (in 2024), but I can tell you these were a winner in our house! I love that these Nuggies are filled with plant-based protein (tofu), but without all the salt and additives you’ll often find in store-bought frozen items. Original recipe calls for these in nugget shapes, but you could consider making 4 large rectangles instead, for a healthier alternative to fried chicken in a sandwich; cooking time may vary. Dip in Buffalo sauce or ketchup, your choice.

~Dedicated to Jeff. Keep up the fight.~

Tofu Nuggets 

Serves 4 (4 filling nuggets each)

Preheat oven to 400F

Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Wrap in towel and soak up excess water well from:

• 14 oz Extra Firm tofu

Avoid crumbling the tofu when pressing out water.

Cut tofu block diagonally, making two large triangles. Then cut each of those triangles into 2 more triangles. Continue until you have 16 triangles (nuggies).

Set aside.

Prep Bowls for Dredging:

Bowl 1 - “Egg wash”

• 6 Tbsp flax seed

• 3/4 c unsweetened non-dairy milk

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

• 6 Tbsp Texas Pete hot sauce 

Bowl 2

• ~ 1 c. Cornstarch

Bowl 3

• 3 c corn flakes*, pulsed briefly ~5-10 sec in food processor; don’t turn into meal. (*plain, Not frosted flakes)

• 3/4c corn meal

Dredge Nuggets in this Order:

Bowl 1 > Bowl 2 > 1 > 2 > 1 > 3  [Thicker version, preferred.]

Variation: Omit Bowl 2; Add 4 tbsp cornstarch to Bowl 1. Dredge Bowl 1 > 3 once only. [Quicker version] 

Place Nuggets onto baking sheet, with space between them.

Bake at 400F x 15 min.

Then flip, and bake another 5-10 minutes until crispy.

When ready to eat, Dip in Buffalo Sauce (or ketchup):

Buffalo Sauce - recipe by Mr. VegWithMandy.com

serves 2-3 

approximately a 1:1:2 ratio:

• 2 Tbsp vegan butter/margarine, melted

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

• 4 Tbsp Texas Pete or Frank’s Hot Sauce

Notes: I don't advocate for frequent use of margarine, so we eat this Buffalo sauce as a treat every once in a while.