Toddler-Friendly Tofu Nuggets
These toddler-friendly tofu nuggets are a surefire hit with kids and adults alike! If you’re looking for a party appetizer to bring, this is it.
Tofu—it’s easy and quick- you don’t have to worry about defrosting or having to disinfect your counter or sink after. I have started cooking with tofu a lot more now that I have a toddler because I find that it’s a super easy meat alternative that I can throw into stir-fries, pasta salads, pan fry on its own or add to soups or other dishes. Tofu takes on the taste of whatever you’re cooking it with and it also has many health benefits as well- it’s a great source of protein, it contains healthy omega 3 fatty acids and it has natural components that help to ward off certain forms of cancer and other diseases.
I recently made these tofu nuggets for an outdoor gathering. When I brought home the leftovers, one of my kids (who is not a fan of tofu at ALL) looked at them and said “when did you make the crab cakes?” as he swiped one of them and took a bite. “Mmmm, these are so good!” he says. I gave him a puzzled look and then said “uh thanks” snickering to myself. My 17 month old also dove in for the kill and LOVED them. It wasn’t until later that I confessed that the crab that he was eating was actually tofu. He then decided that they were “ok”. Funny how that happens…
Anyways, here is this delightful recipe for toddler-friendly tofu nuggets. You can serve as an appetizer or as part of a meal.
Toddler-Friendly Tofu Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 carrot grated
- 1 egg beaten
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt I used a bit less
- 1- 400 g package of extra firm tofu grated
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Squeeze excess moisture from grated carrot with your hands and place them in a large bowl
- Add beaten egg, cilantro, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chill paste and salt to combine
- Add grated tofu into the mix
- Stir in 4 tbsp of flour and mix well.
- Form coins by using 2 tbsp of mixture patted into 2 inch rounds
- Heat oil in saucepan at medium heat
- Drip each coin in remaining flour and sauté until golden, about 2 minutes a side
- Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a small mixing bowl (ingredients 10-13)
- Serve tofu coins in a bed of greens and drizzle with sauce
For free daily advice on nutrition for your little ones, follow Sarah on Facebook.
Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.
This post may contain affiliate links. View our policy.
These look great. Could you bake them?
Yes! Of course- Great idea!