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!
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FEATURED COMMENT:
"Oh my goodness!! My first attempt at tofu anything! This is AMAZING!! Even my skeptical “won’t try anything healthy” husband admitted it was really good! Thank you so much for this recipe!"
- Clare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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
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 cheese, 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,k 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.
Recipe
Nutritional Yeast Tofu
Author: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 - Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with a little brush of oil. 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.
- 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
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oliver says
Thought I'd try one or two of these after making them. A couple of minutes later the entire brick of tofu had been eaten. They were a triumph!
Melanie McDonald says
Ha ha, I have that problem too! So pleased you are enjoying it, Oliver !
Rose says
I make the noosh tofu once a week! After I tear the tofu into pieces I pour off the liquid at the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while waiting for the oven to heat up. When it does I pour the noosh mixture over the tofu. Mix it with my hands and bake for 25 mins
Thank you for the recipe!
Do you have a favorite one for tempeh?
Bridie says
I made this again last night with some smoked paprika added to the mix. I cooked it on the hot plate of the BBQ and the result was very crispy with flavoursome browned edges. It is great cold too.
Melanie McDonald says
Good to know it works over the BBQ on a hot plate! So pleased you're enjoying the recipe!
Rhonda says
This is the easiest and best crispy tofu recipe ever! I added a bit of chilli pepper and made them in the air fryer . Will be using this recipe a lot in future.
Maria says
You had me at “no need to press the tofu”. This is delicious and a new addition to my Buddha Bowls.
Bridie says
So easy and so delicious. Tasty little snacks the next day. I added some smoked paprika this time.
Pat says
So full of flavor and crunch! This will be a new go to! My mom said she would order this in a restaurant 😊
Connie Barlow says
Delicious! Quick and easy to make. I toss them into my air fryer just to crips them up if I've stored some in the fridge, and add them to almost everything.
Bernadette Morrissey says
WOW! Really crispy!
Quick and easy!
Perfect when you want something nutritious, fast!
Melanie McDonald says
Glad you enjoyed it, Bernadette!
Bianca says
Fabulous! I added 1 tsp of Trader Joe's 'Everything but the Leftovers' seasoning in lieu of the salt/pepper/powders. I also baked in my oven on convection. These nuggets were so crispy and flavorful. Served over coconut rice and stir fry veg with various Asian condiments. A keeper!
Mary says
I've made this several times, and really like it. I was wondering, though, is there a way to reduce the chewiness of this baked tofu? Thank you.
Jane says
This is just my view Mary so Mel can comment too, but I find that you CAN make this with quite a soft tofu - I mean not a really soft one, but it definitely doesn't need to be extra firm. As long as it doesn't fall apart completely when you cut it into cubes and coat it, it will work. You will find you get more broken off bits but they are crunchy and nice!
Mary says
Thank you!
inks says
Thanks Mel!!!
What a fab recipe. The BEST ever for crispy tofu. It works well for both medium and extra firm oven roasted. I have even used the same powder mix for roasting chickpeas!
Melanie McDonald says
So pleased you enjoyed it! What a great idea to use it on chickpeas!
Lori says
So easy and so good!
Elissa Butler says
This is so easy and delicious. I tried it right after cooking and after refrigeration- wonderful both ways. Even my carnivore husband was tempted after smelling it cooking, and he liked it, too! This is a winner.
Melanie McDonald says
Yay! So pleased you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated!
Jordan says
This is really fantastic. I'm gonna be eating way more tofu now that I've got this recipe. I've also done it with a 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and it's a fantastic alteration.
Sheila C says
I made this tofu couple of nights ago. I enjoyed it when it was still warm but it really came into its own over salad bowl the next day. Oh yes this is a keeper thanks for the recipe
Jane says
This is a great recipe and I make it often. I jazz mine up a bit with added chilli flakes, ground coriander, smoked or sweet paprika and dill. Plus, I recommend doubling the recipe because it goes too fast!
Diane says
Best, tofu, ever !!! Unpinned all my air fryer tofu recipes, yours will be the only one I'll make from now on !!
Melanie McDonald says
Love that Diane! Thank you!
Debs says
Absolutely love this recipe. Now my favourite way to cook tofu. Since I discovered this I make it at least three times a week - absolutely delicious and so easy to make !
Melanie McDonald says
So pleased you're enjoying the recipe, Debs!
Larry says
These are amazing!!! Best nuggets we've ever had!!!
Anna Brewer says
I found it hard to get the coating to stick to the tofu; it might have benefited from tossing the tofu in soy sauce or something beforehand to add flavour and provide something to help the coating to stick!
Gina s says
Wow I’ve tried as many tofu recipes as one can count and I can’t believe how incredible and easy these are!! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Melanie McDonald says
So pleased you enjoyed it, Gina!