Bite-sized tofu chunks are breaded and baked to crispy perfection for a vegan update on the original Shake and Bake dinner trend.
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I grew up on Shake and Bake Chicken. It was one of my mom’s go-to weeknight dinners and one of my favorite meals to make with her. Is it just me or is there something super satisfying about shaking up your dinner in a bag?!!
As I was recently reminiscing about some of my favorite childhood meals, I got to thinking about how I could veganize this dish for my family. I remember several flavor variations in those blue and red bannered boxes, (barbecue, extra crispy, and parmesan to name a few), but my favorite was always “original”. That’s what I recreated and daresay, I love it more than the store-bought original!
Why I Love This Recipe
Shake and Bake, how I love thee – let me count the ways!
- No mess and easy clean up. Everything literally goes in a bag.
- You get to shake your dinner! It’s a great way to get the kids involved and have a little fun while you’re prepping your meal.
- All you need are two ingredients: the seasoning/breadcrumb blend and your protein.
- It takes less than 10 minutes to get it in the oven.
- While it’s baking, you can prep or reheat sides, or just relax!
This recipe makes me so happy because it checks so many boxes on my weeknight dinner checklist: easy prep, almost no clean up, short ingredient list and fun to make. It is a literally a recipe for dinner success.
What is Shake and Bake?
Shake and Bake refers to a popular method of coating and preparing chicken for baking. It typically involves using a pre-packaged coating mix to quickly and easily add flavor and texture to the chicken.
The Shake ‘n Bake” brand was introduced in 1965 by General Foods, and was originally marketed to mimic the flavor of Southern Fried Chicken.
Ingredients & Substitutions for Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets
I’ve obviously swapped tofu for chicken in this recipe, and have created a custom coating that only requires a few ingredients:
Tofu
You’ll need firm or extra-firm tofu. You can slice into strips, nuggets or “cutlets”, depending on how you want to serve it.
Coating Mix
You can create your own coating mix using ingredients like breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or even crushed crackers. Season the coating mix with your choice of spices and herbs for flavor. Common seasonings include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme or oregano.
Liquid Binder
To help the coating adhere to the tofu, you’ll need something to act as a binder. You can use a mixture of plant-based milk and flour or cornstarch, or a flax egg mixture.
Oil
For crispier nuggets, brush or spray the tofu with a little oil before baking.
Substitutions
Instead of regular breadcrumbs, you can sub gluten-free breadcrumbs, Panko, crushed crackers, chips or cornflakes.
Other options for nuggets include tempeh or Pumfu.
Any combination of flour and water or plant milk works well for a liquid binder (such as almond flour instead of chickpea flour).
How to Make Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets
- Press the tofu:
To remove excess moisture from the tofu and help it absorb flavors better, you should press it (unless you’re using extra-firm tofu). Place the tofu between clean kitchen towels or paper towels, then place something heavy on top (like a plate with a can or two on it). Let it press for about 15-30 minutes.
- Cut the tofu:
Cut the tofu into your nugget shape of choice (such as cubes, strips, or triangles).
- Prepare the coating:
In a shallow dish, mix your chosen coating mix with the seasonings of your choice. Stir well to combine.
- Coat the tofu:
Dip each piece of tofu first into the liquid mixture to wet it, then place it in a bag with the coating. Seal the bag and shake it until it’s evenly coated. You can do this one piece at a time or in batches.
- Bake the tofu:
Place the coated tofu pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat. If desired, you can lightly brush or spray the tofu with oil to help it brown and crisp up during baking.
- Serve with your favorite dipping side:
Serve your nuggets alongside ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Buffalo sauce, or your favorite dip.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
Choose the right tofu:
- Use firm or extra-firm tofu for making tofu nuggets. These types of tofu hold their shape better and have a firmer texture. I used Trader Joe’s extra-firm tofu.
Seasoning variations:
- Experiment with different seasoning blends. You can make some nuggets spicy with chili powder or add a smoky flavor with paprika and cumin.
Cool completely:
- Allow the baked tofu nuggets to cool completely at room temperature before storing them. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can make them soggy.
Use airtight containers for storage:
- You can also line the container with a paper towel or parchment paper to help absorb any excess moisture and maintain crispiness.
Refrigerate:
- Store the tofu nuggets in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat in an oven for best results:
- To reheat, use an oven or toaster oven to help retain the crispy texture. Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy again.
Shake and Bake Tofu Nugget Seasoning Blends
The options are limitless as to what to put in your shake and bake blend. Try one of these combinations:
Classic Herb & Garlic
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
Smoky BBQ:
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Brown sugar (for a touch of sweetness)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
Spicy Cajun:
- Cajun seasoning blend (or make your own with paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, and garlic powder)
- Cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred level of heat)
- Salt and black pepper
Lemon Herb:
- Lemon zest
- Dried thyme
- Dried rosemary
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
Sesame Ginger:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Ground ginger
- Soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Ranch-Style:
- Ranch seasoning mix (or make your own with dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder)
Italian-Inspired
- Dried Italian seasoning blend (includes herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and black pepper
Lime and Chili
- Lime zest
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Herb and Parmesan
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Dried basil
- Dried parsley
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
Curry Spice
- Curry powder
- Ground turmeric
- Ground coriander
- Ground cumin
- Salt
@thestephaniedreyer Bite-sized tofu chunks are breaded and baked to crispy perfection for a vegan update on the original Shake and Bake dinner trend. Full recipe up on our blog 👇🏼 #shakeandbake #tofurecipes #vegandinnerclub ♬ original sound - thestephaniedreyer
FAQs
How do I press the tofu for Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets?
What type of tofu should I use for tofu nuggets?
Can I make Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets gluten-free?
Can I freeze Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets?
How do I reheat frozen tofu nuggets?
What dipping sauces go well with Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets?
How long can I store leftover tofu nuggets in the refrigerator?
Can I use an air fryer to cook Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets?
Shake and Bake Tofu Nuggets
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Bite-sized tofu chunks are breaded and baked to crispy perfection for a vegan update on the original Shake and Bake dinner trend.
Ingredients
- 1 14-oz block extra firm tofu
- 1/2 cup chickpea flour
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular, gluten-free or Panko)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven: Preheat to 400°F.
- Prep the tofu: Cut the tofu into bite sized nuggets.
- Make the binder: In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpea flour and water.
- Make the coating: In a resealable bag, mix the breadcrumbs and seasonings.
- Coat the tofu:Dip each piece of the tofu into the chickpea flour mixture, and then into the bag with the breadcrumb mixture. Seal the bag and shake it up to coat all of the tofu pieces. Place the tofu nuggets on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
- Bake the tofu: Bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Soy Allergy? Instead of tofu, use Pumfu or a soy free tempeh.
- Spoiler Alert: Shake & Bake Tofu Nuggets are best eaten when served, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week. Reheat in the oven at 200°F for 10 minutes.
- For non vegans: Replace the tofu with chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Proteins & Fillings
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American