Nutritional Yeast Tofu

Ingredients

• 1 firm or extra-firm tofu (14–18 ounces; pat dry but do not press)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

2. 2

   Pat the outside of the tofu block dry with a paper towel, removing excess surface water. Do not press the tofu.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture forms a thick, loose paste.

4. 4

   Rip the tofu into irregular, bite-sized chunks, about 1 inch each. A block will yield approximately 32 pieces.

5. 5

   Add the tofu pieces to the bowl containing the wet rub.

6. 6

   Toss gently but thoroughly until the seasoning paste evenly coats every tofu piece.

7. 7

   Arrange the coated tofu in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces so they can crisp.

8. 8

   Bake for 27–30 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until the nuggets are golden and crisp on the outside while remaining moist inside.

9. 9

   Serve warm. The tofu can be dipped in ketchup or vegan ranch, or added to salads, pasta, pizza, wraps, or tacos.

10. 10

    For air-fryer preparation, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 16–18 minutes, turning or shaking halfway through. For best browning, cook in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Notes

The recipe yields about 32 nuggets, or 8 nuggets per serving. For air-frying, the source recommends halving the recipe if needed to keep the tofu in one layer. Optional serving ideas include ketchup, vegan ranch, salads, pasta, pizza, wraps, and tacos. Nutritional values are estimates based on a typical 16-ounce block of firm tofu; the published recipe lists approximately 227 calories, 14 g protein, 7 g carbohydrates, and 16 g fat per serving.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegan
• vegetarian
• dairy-free
• gluten-free
• baked
• air-fryer
• high-protein