Crispy Tofu Nuggets with Sweet and Sour Dip
Oven-crisped cubes of tofu with a golden cornflour crust, served with a sticky sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
Made with Sweet and sour sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.48 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Press the tofu in a clean tea towel under a heavy pan for 20 minutes, then cut it into 2.5 cm cubes.
20 min - 2
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Toss the tofu gently with the tamari and ginger, then sprinkle over the cornflour and toss until lightly coated.
- 3
Spread the tofu on a baking tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with the oil. Make sure the cubes do not touch.
- 4
Bake for 30 minutes, turning once halfway, until the outsides are crisp and golden.
30 min - 5
Cook the rice following the packet while the tofu bakes. Warm your ready made sweet and sour sauce (see the base recipe) in a small pan.
- 6
Serve the nuggets hot with the rice, cucumber and spring onions, with the sweet and sour sauce poured over or in a small bowl for dipping.
Tips
- Press the tofu well. Water in the block turns the cornflour crust soft.
- Use a hot tray and do not crowd the cubes, so they crisp rather than steam.
- Pour the sauce on at the table if you want them to stay crisp longer.
Storing and freezing
Keeps up to 3 days in the fridge, cooled within 1 hour. Reheat on a tray at 200C for 10 minutes until hot and crisp. Freeze the plain baked tofu for up to 2 months if you like.
Questions
Can I use an air fryer?
Yes. Cook at 200C for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
Does it work with silken tofu?
No. Silken tofu is too soft and will fall apart. Use firm or extra firm tofu.
Is it vegan?
Yes, with the vegan sweet and sour base, tamari and cornflour. It is also gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free.
More made with sweet and sour sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.