Kids or adults, everyone loves these nuggets as a snack or party appetiser. Step by step pictures and video included. Crispy nuggets are a perfect healthy snack for kids or adults. Serve them as a party appetisers see the entire batch gone in minutes. The best part of this veg nuggets recipe is, it is completely healthy and low fat because I made them in the air fryer. The recipe overall does not make much time, so you can make them anytime if you have ingredients in your fridge. But if you are like me and my family who love to eat snacks a lot, you might want to make them ahead and freeze them. I will explain how to freeze veggie nuggets later in this post. I made these plain, without any crumb coating because I did not want to use any extra oil or use too much bread crumbs. But if you like those crispy bread crumb coated nuggets you can check my crispy Paneer Nuggets recipe. Another Interesting Nugget recipe you must try is Raw Banana nuggets
How Can you Make Them Vegan
In these Air fried nuggets, I added cheese for the melt in mouth soft texture from within. If you want to make vegan nuggets you can skip the cheese and rest of the recipe is made with all vegan ingredients. Or if you like and have access to vegan cheese you can add that as well. It’s totally your choice.
How To Make Them Ahead and Freeze
Follow the recipe till shaping of the nuggets. Then place them in a tray lined with butter paper or parchment paper. Place them in a single layer so that they do not touch each other. Place the tray in the freezer for about hour. Once it is frozen from outside you can transfer them in a ziplock pouch or a glass container and freeze them. You can store these frozen veggie nuggets up to 8-10 week inside the freezer.
To Make Baked Veggie Nuggets
As I said before, these nuggets can be pan-fried, shallow fried, deep-fried or air fried. You can also bake them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees delicious for 20 minutes. To make best nuggets with this easy recipe you will need these ingredients. Vegetables of your choice. I used broccoli and fresh peas along with potatoes. You can use your favourite veggies like cauliflower or carrots. But make sure to use fresh peas, frozen peas do not work in similar way. For added protein I have added soaked and crushed soya textured protein commonly known as soya chunks. It adds a nice meaty texture. If you can’t find that you can add tofu. Not that it is same but adds a lot of protein. Walnuts adds a great texture and healthy factor too.
How to Make them
This air fried nuggets recipe is one of most easiest recipe ever. All you need to do is mix few healthy ingredients like broccoli, peas, cheese, walnuts, soy textured protein with few herbs and spices. (Picture 1-2) Next you just shape them in your favorite shape. Squares, rounds, cylindrical all are great, (Picture -3) After shaping all the nuggets, brush them with oil or spray with non stick spray. (Picture - 4) Place the nuggets in pre heated air fryer basket (picture -5) Air fry at 200C for 12-15 minutes (Picture - 6) Crispy air fried veggie nuggets are ready. (Detailed method and recipe notes available below in the recipe)
Expert Tips and Recipe Video
While selecting vegetables for the nuggets, cutlets or such snacks avoid vegetables with high water content as this will make them soggy. Pre heating the oven if you are making baked version or Air fryer if you are making Air fried version is a MUST. Try to consume them hot straight out of air fryer because when cold they tend to become soggy.
Which Air fryer I have Used
One question that I am always asked is about the equipment used. And whenever I post any air fryer recipe many of you ask which air fryer is best? Well! currently I use this Philips air fryer for all my air fryer recipes.
So I have made these veggie nuggets in Philips Air fryer as well. What I like most about this one is I can grill bake and air fry all in the same appliance. It saves me a lot of counter space. Also with it’s turbo star technology I can air fry anything with almost 90% less fat.
Step by Step Video
📖 Recipe
