Cheerio Breaded Shaped Tofu Nuggets

Tofu gets a bad rap. "Eww! Tofu, I am not eating that!" "Ugh how can you actually like tofu?". Honestly though, tofu is quite pleasing. It can take on what ever flavour you cook with. Marinading it overnight in a sauce, when you cook it, the taste will be completely incorporated into the tofu. 

With so many options are well of firmness, you can easily substitute tofu into meals easily. 

Tofu ranges from soft, medium, firm and extra firm. 

For some more info on tofu ranges, check out this link.

I like to generally work with firm.

I decided to make these with cookie cutters to make it a little more fun for my kids. 

How fun to have shaped food!? They love when I make them dino sandwiches, so why not 

heart shaped nuggets? Not to mention the endless possibilities of shapes!

Full Recipe at the bottom

Now I usually make tofu nuggets with Italian bread crumbs, but this time I wanted to try and make them a little more nutritious.

The first step is important. You need to press the liquid from the tofu. 

If you skip this, your nuggets will be mushy and not have a 'chicken' like texture.

Remove the tofu from the package and drain off any liquid.

Place a few paper towels on a plate. Now put the tofu block on.

Cover with more paper towel and a smaller plate on top of that.

This part you will need to find a large weight of some sort. 

I like to use cans.Stacking them up from larger to smaller.

Let it press for at least 15 minutes.

To make Cheerio crumbs, just place them into a large zipper seal bag with as much air out as possible.

With a rolling pin, crush them until a grainy powder is achieved. Pour onto a large plate.

To flavour your Cheerio breading, mix your favourite spices into the crumbs. 

I used ground cumin, pepper, powdered onion and a little garlic salt.

Once the tofu is pressed, slice it into half inch slices.

Take you cookie cutter of choice (I used a heart) and cut the shapes out. 

With any larger left overs you can use them as nuggets.

(Check out this soup to use your left over scrap pieces)

Crack an egg into a bowl and give it a good mix.

Dip each tofu nugget into the egg then into your Cheerio crumbs.

Place them onto a cookie sheet, making sure they have room between each one.

Bake in a preheated to 400° oven for 15 minutes. 

Flip them over and bake another 10 minutes.

Serve with your favourite dipping sauces. 

Our favourites here is spicy thai sauce, ranch dressing or dip-dip (aka ketchup)

Give tofu a chance and I really hope that you will not be disappointed. 

By Mommy Melissa

Cheerio Breaded Shaped Tofu Nuggets

1 block firm tofu

1 cup Cheerios, crushed into a grainy powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 egg, beaten

1.Press tofu between paper towel for at least 15 minutes.

2. Mix the crushed Cheerios with the remaining ingredients other than the egg.

3. Cut tofu into 1/2 inch slices then cut with cookie cutter.

4. Dip tofu nuggets into egg and cover completely. 

5. Dip into the Cheerios mix making sure everywhere has been covered.

6. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400° for 15 minutes, flip, then bake another 10 minutes.

7. Serve with your favourite dipping sauces.