The most delicious, crispy and golden Nutritional Yeast Tofu. Super quick and easy to make in an oven or air fryer, this crunchy, golden, seasoned tofu is ready to grace a multitude of dishes or be enjoyed as a tasty snack!
Love nutritional yeast? Make my nutritional yeast tempeh and nutritional yeast dressing next!
💌 SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and I'll send it straight to your inbox.
Watch out for more tasty treats coming your way! Unsubscribe at any time.
FEATURED COMMENT:
"Wow! This recipe deserves a 10+++++++ star rating! This was so simple and easy to throw together. My only regret is not doubling the recipe, so I had more. I have tried many tofu recipes, but this was one that really stands out!" - David ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ More reviews →
You have no idea how much you need this Nutritional Yeast Tofu recipe! Get ready to find yourself throwing a handful of these magnificently golden, crispy nuggets on every single meal from here on out. Straight-up snacking is also very much recommended!
Need a little texture on top of some pasta? These are perfect. Some protein and crunch in your soup or salad? Oh yes...(Sorry, croutons, you've been replaced.) Thinking about making a big batch and dipping them in creamy vegan ranch as an appetizer? Hello, winning at life.
Have I been known to eat these perfectly seasoned tofu bites straight from the air fryer basket? YES. SEVERAL TIMES.
There's a reason this recipe has been going viral on social media for years, and you really need to try it!
Mel x
P.S. If you're looking for another easy and very versatile tofu recipe, then give my easy shredded tofu a try!
Ingredients
Here is what you need at a glance, along with some important ingredient notes & substitution ideas:
- Tofu - The tofu used must be extra firm, and there is no need to press it.
- Cornstarch - Essential for truly crispy tofu. Nothing else works quite the same.
- Nutritional yeast - This gives the tofu cheesy, umami, savoury flavour and makes it incredible!
- Garlic powder & onion powder - For flavour and really delicious with the nooch flavour. You can switch them for any other spices you like, though or add a pinch or two of something else extra. Chili powder or smoked paprika both work well!
Let's Make Nutritional Yeast Tofu!
Can't wait to make it? The full printable recipe is below, but first, let me walk you through the steps to set you up for success in your kitchen.
This recipe can be made either in an oven or your air fryer.
1 - Mix the seasonings together in a bowl.
2 - Tear the tofu into chunks. Don't cut it into cubes or you won't get the delicious nubbly, craggy texture!
3 - Toss the tofu pieces in the seasonings.
4 - Add to a baking sheet or air fryer basket in a single layer and bake until golden and crispy.
Success Tip
Tear the tofu block rather than cutting it into cubes. That way, you get way more nooks and crannies for the seasoning to stick, and the finished tofu will be crispier than cubed tofu.
Serving Suggestions
Ok, this nutritional yeast tofu is so versatile, so be sure to make plenty. Use it as part of your main dish, as a filling or as a topper.
I highly recommend a few tofu nuggets scattered on any and all creamy rice and pasta dishes for added taste and texture. Here it is on my vegan pumpkin pasta:
It's also great on my vegan carbonara in place of the carrot rashers and with my vegan vodka sauce pasta and creamy vegan orzo risotto.
Need something filling and tasty to add to your salads? Nutritional yeast tofu is your friend. It adds a ton of flavour, protein and texture. It's also fab on bowl meals, in burritos, wraps, tacos or as a fun finger food with or without dip.
Recipe FAQs
Nutritional yeast (a.k.a nooch) is a really unique ingredient and cannot be replaced in this recipe. It is definitely one that I recommend you keep in your vegan pantry at all times. Don't, whatever you do, use regular bread-making yeast in place of nutritional yeast in this or any recipe.
I get asked this all the time, and it makes me really sad because I can no longer buy my fave nooch in Canada!😩 If you're in the U.S, though, you're in luck because you can. It's Hoosier Hill Farm's, and it's so good. Cheap for nooch too, and it comes in a great big tub that lasts ages.
Until my love and I can be together again 🤭, I am making do with Everland Nutritional yeast, which is good but not as good as Hoosier Hill Farm's.
Recipe
Nutritional Yeast Tofu
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 1 block (about 14 oz /400 grams) extra firm tofu , pack sizes vary. It doesn't have to be exact.
- 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Open the package of tofu. Drain off any excess water. Do not press or dry it.
- With your hands, tear the tofu into irregular bite sized chunks and place in a bowl.
- Add the seasonings and toss well to coat. Cook immediately. Don't let it sit.
- To air fry - Add the tofu to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until super crunchy and golden, tossing halfway. If you have an air fryer basket that food tends to stick to a bit, brush the bottom surface with a tiny bit of oil before adding the tofu.
- To bake - Spread out on a lined baking tray and bake at 425°F (218°C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden and crispy.
NOTES
💌 SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and I'll send it straight to your inbox.
Watch out for more tasty treats coming your way! Unsubscribe at any time.
Martina says
I was not paying attention ahead of time and pressed my extra firm tofu rather dry. I added 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to this mix when tossing it with the tofu. Air fried it for 20 minutes like the recipe said and they were incredible, with a nice meaty texture. Great for buffalo wing or barbecue sauce whatever one’s preferences. Love these !
Bev says
I made these and they were perfect...crunchy and delicious! I ate a bunch. But after letting them cool I put them in a container, not airtight and they went soft! I don't know what I did wrong! Any suggestions?
Melanie McDonald says
That's normal for anything like this. The moisture and steam from inside work their way out and soften the coating. The coating will also absorb humidity from the room/fridge. I really like these cold and a bit chewy as a snack (maybe I'm weird?!), but you can pop them in your air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp them if you want to. Hope that helps!
Cathy says
This is the best recipe ever! I was so pleased with the results and there is no added oil.
My Tofu was the Kirkland brand, which is supposed to be extra firm but is not. So I tore it into bite size pieces (it was a 450g package cut into 6 strips and then torn) and boiled it in 750g of water with 1 TB of salt for 10 to 15 minutes and then drained it well (do not rinse) and cooled it in a strainer.
Then I proceeded with the recipe as written (except I used arrowroot powder to replace the cornstarch).
Then as if by magic, the tofu, which had a coating that was not unlike the coating on fried chicken emerged from my oven (which I had set on the convection setting).
What a great recipe. I have already made it for the second time.
Thank you for sharing this!
Melanie McDonald says
I'm glad you made it work, Cathy, and thank you for your review. It's much appreciated and will hopefully help anyone else who has that tofu. I bought some recently and was shocked at how soft it was. I won't be buying it again. Luckily, our Costco also sells another local brand, which is actually extra-firm.
Cathy says
Lucky you. i am in Canada and this is the only brand they are selling at Costco this time.
I really hate how Costco replaces a product we love with a Kirkland product that is not a suitable replacement at all.
I read of others experiences with the Kirkland brand so I knew that it wasn't only my experience. Boiling it is a real game changer. Walmart in Canada used to stock a wide variety of tofu, but not anymore!
Melanie McDonald says
I'm also in Canada. Ours has the Soyganic Organic extra-firm, which is a really good one.
Superstore has loads of different tofu if you have one nearby, and if you have an H-Mart that's great for tofu!
Linda says
This is SO good! And so easy! Thank you - I will be making this a lot!
Will says
Sounds great! Can't wait to try it.
Trish says
What a great recipe! My husband hates tofu and refuses to eat it no matter how I prepare it. Yesterday I made this as a topper for my stir fry and asked him to just " taste" it. After some nudging, he reluctantly dipped a piece in hot mustard and took a bite. Today he asked me to make some more!! Unbelievable!
Melanie McDonald says
Now that’s the kind of review I like, but I’m sorry you now have to share your tofu! 🤭
Jackie says
Very good and so simple ! I use a lot of nutritional yeast (I buy mine at Trader Joe's) but had never tried it on tofu so thank you for this recipe
Lisa C says
This is awesome for a vegan eating high protein. My husband says it's the best tofu I've ever made, and we've been vegan for nine years. He is not a fan of nutritional yeast, but he loves this tofu, made with the same Bob's Red Mill nooch I've always used.
Thanks for the recipe!! I've been making it on repeat.
Mindy Richmond says
This is the Nooch I’ve used for years. Maybe Amazon CA has it.
Anthony's Nutritional Yeast Flakes, 10 oz, Non Fortified, Batch Tested Gluten Free, Non GMO
Jenny G says
Delicious!
Anne Carroll says
I’m excited to try something with Nutritional Yeast that I might actually like. And crisp Tofu is always a plus.
The thing is, my N.Yeast is possibly 10 years old (which means it’s probably at least 15!) But I don’t think it smells a bit different than when I first purchased it. Thoughts?
Melanie McDonald says
I often use things a little past their best-before or use-by date, but 10 or 15 years is a little excessive! I would compost it and buy a new bag.
Anne Petersen Carroll says
I appreciate your comment, which was exactly what I expected someone to offer up! (As well as what I anticipated I would do!!)