Easy Tofu Nuggets for Babies & Toddlers: No Flour

I love making tofu nuggets for babies and toddlers because it’s a great alternative to chicken. 

I’m trying to expand my kid’s palette by introducing them to different food varieties.

I’ve also made tofu meatballs many times as an alternative to beef meatballs.

The best thing about tofu nuggets is that you can add any seasoning you want to boost the flavor.

Since tofu is a flavorless substance, it becomes a blank slate that you can turn into anything you want.

Why I love Feeding My Kids Tofu Nuggets

One of the reasons I make meals like tofu nuggets for my baby and toddler is to help them appreciate meat alternatives.

I understand the importance of sustainability so I try to incorporate more plant protein into our diet as much as I can.

That’s one of the reasons why I love cooking with Beyond or Impossible Meat. These are meat alternatives that are better for the planet.

I make a lot of tofu stir fries and tofu meatballs as well because they’re great for sustainability.

This latest recipe is my attempt at making crispy tofu nuggets for my kids.

Important Recipe Notes on Baby-led Weaning Tofu Nuggets 

Soak the tofu in chicken broth before cooking 

Tofu is a unique protein that has no flavor. 

That means you can give it whatever flavor you want by soaking it in sauce.

Before you bake the tofu, soak it in warm water with bouillon powder. This will allow it to absorb the chicken flavor before baking. 

I wouldn’t use premade chicken broth for this purpose because I find that they’re not as concentrated as bouillon powder.

Place the tofu nuggets on a paper towel after baking 

Placing the nuggets on a paper towel will allow the excess oil to be removed.

This will help keep the tofu nuggets crispy until you’re ready to eat them.

Allergy Considerations for Tofu Nuggets 

Soy is a common allergen in children 

Tofu is made from soy, which is a common allergen in babies and toddlers.

If this is your first time feeding your baby tofu, make sure you watch out for the common signs of a soy allergy.

Allergic reactions can happen immediately or hours after consuming a potential allergen.

Ingredients For BLW Tofu Nuggets 

Extra firm tofu – it’s better to use extra firm tofu because it’ll hold together better. They contain less water. 

Seasoning – you can use any combination of the seasoning blend I listed in the ingredients. You can also add or remove what you don’t want. 

Canola oil – oil helps crisp the tofu in the oven so you won’t have to deep-fry them.  

Bouillon powder – bouillon powder helps add some flavor to the tofu when used as a marinade. Tofu is flavorless so you have to add some spices to help it taste great. 

Water – used to make the marinade when mixed with bouillon powder. 

Jump to Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Why Tofu is Good For Babies and Toddlers

Tofu is a great plant-based protein alternative derived from soy. It contains all the amino acids that the body needs (source). It also contains a large amount of calcium, manganese, and selenium. 

FAQs About Tofu Nuggets For Baby

Can I fry tofu for a baby?

You can fry tofu for your baby, but It’s easier to bake them to avoid eating excess oil. 

Excess oil will make the tofu soggy and unappetizing.

How do I introduce tofu to my toddler?

You can introduce tofu to your toddler in various ways. You can make tofu stir fry (a favorite in our household), tofu nuggets, or tofu meatballs in sauce.

What are tofu nuggets made of?

Tofu nuggets can either be made using flour, spices, and oil for deep frying or they can be made by baking them in the oven. 

What To Serve With Tofu Nuggets 

Serve with a carbohydrate 

Carbohydrates like pasta, rice noodles, and rice are great to serve with tofu nuggets.

Serve with fruits 

Any fruit would go great with tofu nuggets. 

If your baby doesn’t like vegetables, adding a variety of fruits to their diet is a great way to add extra nutrients to their meal.

Serve with vegetables 

Vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, and carrots go well with tofu because they can be made into stir fry. 

How To Feed Tofu Nuggets In Baby-led Weaning

6-9 Months old

Babies between 6-9 months old can enjoy tofu nuggets cut into strips. Make sure you cut the nuggets large enough to fit in their palms.

This will ensure they can grasp it easily.

9-12 months old

Kids between 9-12 months can enjoy tofu nuggets cut into strips or smaller pieces. You could even deep fry them covered in flour or breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.

Cooking Directions For Baby-friendly Tofu Nuggets

Marinade the tofu

• Drain tofu and pat dry with a paper towel. Place tofu in a ziplock bag. 
• Make the marinade by heating the water and bouillon powder for 1 minute in a microwave (cool the water to room temperature).
• Pour the water into the ziplock bag with the tofu inside. Allow the tofu to soak up the marinade mixture for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the tofu from the ziplock bag after 10 minutes and place it on a clean dishcloth or paper towel. Press as much liquid out of it as possible without crumbling it.
• Cut the tofu into strips.

Bake the tofu

• Set the oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Drizzle the oil onto a baking tray. Place in the oven to heat up.
• In a small bowl, combine all the spices to make a spice blend.
• Place the tofu strips in the spice blend to coat the surfaces on both sides. 
• Remove the hot baking tray from the oven and place tofu nuggets on the tray.
• Bake the tofu nuggets for 10-15 minutes on one side. Flip and bake the reverse side for another 10-15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and place on a paper towel to drain. Serve warm.

Storage Tips for Tofu Nuggets 

Can I refrigerate tofu nuggets?

Tofu nuggets can be refrigerated for a few days after cooking. Make sure you store them in a ziplock bag or airtight container to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Can I freeze baby-led weaning tofu nuggets?

The best way to store tofu nuggets is to freeze them. They will last a longer time. 

To prevent them from sticking together, you can place a parchment paper between each one. 

Reheating Tofu Nuggets for Your Baby

In the oven

The best way to reheat tofu nuggets is in the oven. Set the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Place the nuggets in an oven-safe tray and heat until the outside is crispy and the inside is hot.

In the microwave 

You can also reheat tofu nuggets in the microwave. To avoid them becoming too soggy, you should heat them uncovered. 

Tips for Picky Eaters

Don’t pressure

Give your baby or toddler a chance to say no. It’s okay if they don’t like what we serve them. Keep trying. 

It takes at least 30 exposures for a baby to begin liking a food, so don’t give up.

Make it into a game

Sometimes I create games around the food I serve to get my kids interested in eating. 

A game we’ve played in the past is called “Here comes the airplane… open the garage”. This encourages them to open their mouth as I bring the food in like an airplane.

Sometimes my kids will try new foods this way.

Related recipes 

• Easy Tofu Balls For Baby They Will Love

Did you make this baby-led weaning lunch recipe? 

Let me know in the comments how it turned out!