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–+ servings
Patricia Krouse

Vegan Chick-fil-A-Style Nuggets

These vegan nuggets are crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside, making them a perfect plant-based alternative to traditional chicken nuggets for game night or a casual meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tofu
  • 14 oz super-firm tofu (or extra-firm, pressed) Pressing removes excess water for better crispiness.
  • 1/2 tsp soy sauce Use tamari for gluten-free.
  • 1/2 cup dill pickle juice Use juice from dill pickles, not sweet relish brine.
  • 2 tbsp agave syrup Maple syrup or brown sugar works in a pinch.
  • 1 tbsp vegetable broth powder or poultry seasoning Poultry seasoning mimics the classic Chick-fil-A flavor.
For the Coating
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 cup nutritional yeast Creates a savory, crispy coating.
For Cooking
  • 2-3 tbsp neutral vegetable oil For pan-frying or oil spray if air frying.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Press the tofu for at least 20–30 minutes, wrapping it in a clean towel and placing a heavy pan on top to remove moisture.
  2. Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized nuggets, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches pieces, and pat the surfaces dry.
  3. In a shallow dish, whisk together pickle juice, soy sauce, and agave until combined. Add the tofu, turn gently, and let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
  4. Mix the dry coating in a shallow bowl: vegetable broth powder or poultry seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast.
Cooking
  1. Remove tofu from the marinade and let excess drip off, then dredge each piece in the nutritional-yeast mix.
  2. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add nuggets in a single layer without crowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
  3. Alternatively, bake at 425°F (220°C) on a lined sheet for 18-22 minutes, flipping once, or air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve hot with vegan honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

If you like extra heat, add 1/4 tsp cayenne or smoked paprika. Store cooled nuggets in an airtight container for up to 4 days and freeze cooked nuggets for up to 3 months.

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