Maple Mustard Tofu

ByJanelle Carss

This Maple Mustard Tofu puts a grown-up (and plant-based!) spin on one of my favourite childhood fast food meals, chicken nuggets with honey mustard. Ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will devour!

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Watch how to make this Maple Mustard Tofu over on my YouTube channel! And don’t forget to subscribe while you’re at it 😉

Ingredients & Inspiration

I’m not afraid to admit that one of my favourite fast food meals as a kid (and teenager, too) was chicken nuggets with honey mustard from McDonald’s. I was a saucy kid who grew up to be a saucy adult, what can I say! 😉 And since I like to be nostalgic now and then, I came up with a slightly healthier and meatless version of that fast food favourite, Maple Mustard Tofu!

Deliciously seasoned tofu nuggets get air fried until golden and crispy, then tossed in a flavourful maple mustard sauce. Since vegan honey is a bit pricey and hard to come by in regular grocery stores, swapping honey for maple syrup is a delicious alternative that still gives the sweet and sticky vibes, while remaining totally plant-based.

Only a handful of basic ingredients are needed to make this 30-minute recipe:

Tofu Ingredients
  • 1 block extra firm tofu, cut into cubes or torn into pieces
  • 1½ tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • ½ tbsp neutral oil
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
Sauce ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard, or whole grain mustard
  • 1 tsp neutral oil
  • ½ cup veggie broth or water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (to make a slurry)

How to Make Maple Mustard Tofu

Maple Mustard Tofu comes together in two easy steps: air fry the tofu and whisk up the maple mustard sauce directly on the stove:

  1. Add the sliced/torn tofu bites into a large bowl, then toss in the soy sauce and oil. Once combined, sprinkle the cornstarch then toss again to combine.
  2. Transfer to an air fryer and air fry for 15 minutes at 380F until golden and crispy on the edges.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl (minus the slurry ingredients). Then pour into a frying pan and warm through over medium heat until it’s steaming hot (not boiling). Once hot, add the slurry and continue whisking the sauce until it’s glossy and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the air fried tofu to the sauce, turn the heat to low and stir to coat the tofu completely.
  5. Make it a meal and serve with rice or quinoa and steamed broccoli or with baked sweet potatoes! Enjoy!
Tip!

Make a double batch of the sauce if you like your tofu extra saucy or want to dip homemade fries or potato wedges in it! ‘Cause extra saucy is always a good thing!

Honey, Make It Vegan

I’m always game for a healthed-up version of my favourite fast foods or comfort foods, and this Maple Mustard Tofu never disappoints when I get the nagging craving for some nuggs!

If you enjoyed this recipe you should definitely check out some of my other epic tofu recipes like Lemon Pepper Tofu, Kung Pao Tofu, or Pesto Tofu! Or just check out ALL my tofu recipes.

Lastly, if you made any of these recipes and decide to share them on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @SteamyVegan and use hashtag #SteamyVegan! I seriously love seeing what you’re cooking up! Plus make sure to check me out on YouTube — I have HUNDREDS of recipe videos to give you limitless plant-based inspiration!

Janelle Carss

Maple Mustard Tofu

This Maple Mustard Tofu puts a grown-up (and plant-based!) spin on one of my favourite childhood fast food meals, chicken nuggets with honey mustard. Ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will devour!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Tofu Ingredients
  • 1 12-oz block extra firm tofu, cut into cubes or torn into pieces
  • 1½ tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • ½ tbsp neutral oil
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard, or whole grain mustard
  • 1 tsp neutral oil
  • ½ cup veggie broth or water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (to make a slurry)

Method
 

  1. Add the sliced/torn tofu bites into a large bowl, then toss in the soy sauce and oil. Once combined, sprinkle the cornstarch then toss again to combine.
  2. Transfer to an air fryer and air fry for 15 minutes at 380F until golden and crispy on the edges.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl (minus the slurry ingredients). Then pour into a frying pan and warm through over medium heat until it’s steaming hot (not boiling). Once hot, add the slurry and continue whisking the sauce until it’s glossy and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the air fried tofu to the sauce, turn the heat to low and stir to coat the tofu completely.
  5. Make it a meal and serve with rice or quinoa and steamed broccoli or with baked sweet potatoes! Enjoy!

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