This Popcorn Tofu is the perfect snack for game day or movie night. It’s a fun option for a healthy dinner because no oil is used when air frying or baking the tofu.
I know there are some people that are not fans of tofu. Maybe you’re even one of them. If you’ve only tried tofu without the water pressed out and unseasoned, there’s no way you’d ever like it – I know I sure wouldn’t partake in anything like that either.
Tasty tofu is all about how you prepare and cook it because tofu itself has no real distinct flavor. It takes on the flavors of the marinades and sauces which is why it’s so versatile.
For instance, my Baked Tofu is one of the most popular recipes on my blog because it’s prepared well and is topped with a delicious sauce and my Simple Tofu Scramble is so easy to make for a quick and yummy breakfast.
I have another fun and tasty tofu for you to try today – my Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu. Matt and I love hanging out with our pups and watching sports together.
Tofu – the Perfect Snack or Meal Addition
I’m always looking for snacks that would be good finger foods for gameday to go along with our other favorites like my Chipotle Queso and Buffalo Quinoa Balls. Popcorn tofu with sriracha mayo sounded like a perfect addition to our repertoire.
While they’d be great for sports or movie night I think the popcorn tofu bites would be a fun idea as dinner for the kiddos too. You could serve the popcorn tofu with favorite dipping sauces (bbq, ranch, ketchup) if the sriracha is not their thing.
Tofu in the Air Fryer?
I got an air fryer for Christmas and I have been really enjoying it. The food comes out crispy like it would in a regular fryer but without all the oil.
Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes I love a fried treat but it’s nice to have the option to use the air fryer to get a similar crispy effect.
Besides the crispiness, another thing I like about the air fryer is that I don’t have to use the oven on hot days. When it’s too hot I don’t like being in the kitchen, never mind having the oven on in July or August.
The air fryer is a great alternative to an oven because only the back of the fryer gets a little hot but the room itself won’t.
Oven-Baked Popcorn Tofu
No air fryer? No problem!
My recipe tells you how to bake the popcorn tofu if you don’t have an air fryer. They’ll still crispy and tasty!
Popcorn Tofu Extra Tastiness
I used some cornmeal and panko breadcrumbs to make them crispy yet gluten-free and Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Chicken Base to give the batter a little extra flavor.
This was my first-time “coating” something in one of my recipes so it took me a while to get the batter the way I wanted it.
If you make this Popcorn Tofu, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu
Ingredients
Popcorn Tofu
- 14 oz extra firm tofu in water, water pressed out and drained
- 1/2 cup chickpea or quinoa flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2 TB nutritional yeast
- 1 TB Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Chicken Base
- 1 TB Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3/4 cup unsweetened dairy free milk
- 1.5 cup panko bread crumbs gluten free if needed
Sriracha Mayo
- 1/2 cup vegan mayo
- 2 TB sriracha
Instructions
- Rip the pressed tofu into bite-size pieces.
- Add flour, cornmeal, nutritional yeast, better than bouillon, mustard, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and milk into a large bowl and mix until combined. The consistency should be like a pancake batter. Add more milk if needed to thin it out.
- Add panko breadcrumbs to separate bowl.
- Dip tofu pieces into the batter, then into breadcrumbs, and then place in the basket of air fryer. * (see recipe notes for baking tofu)
- Air Fryer Directions: Set air fryer at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Shake the basket 1/2 way through.
- Oven Directions: Bake the popcorn tofu for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees.
Sriracha Mayo
- Mix vegan mayo and sriracha together and serve with popcorn tofu.
Notes
Nutrition
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You may also enjoy…
Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes 
Buffalo Quinoa Balls 
Simple Tofu Stir Fry
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps vegans find ways to make mealtimes easier (and healthier).
When she’s not creating new recipes for her blog, you can find Mary Ellen doting on her two shih tzus or exploring the world with her husband.
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, you did it! I can’t wait to try this. Hoping to get this going on for supper tonight!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Becky! I hope you like it. Finally it’s finished!
Sarah McMinn says
This looks so good! I haven’t gotten an air fryer yet, but with recipes like this it’s only a matter of time until I do.
Mary Ellen says
Sarah, thanks so much! Air Fryers are so fun!
Cadry says
Aaaah! This sounds so good. You nailed it! I need to add this to my weekly menu ASAP.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Cadry! I hope you enjoy!
Jenn says
This looks delicious! I LOVE tofu! Especially crispy tofu bites like this. I don’t have an air fryer, but I’ll be trying this in the oven!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jenn! Crispy tofu is one of my favorite things in the world!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I love this recipe! Making this tofu in the air fryer is the best. I think everyone should invest in one!
Mary Ellen says
Yes, air fryer tofu is amazing! Thanks so much Amy!
Dianne says
I love how tofu cooks up in the air fryer. I’m going to need to try this, because it looks amazing!
Mary Ellen says
Dianne, yes tofu in the air fryer is soooo good! Thanks so much!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
What a fun recipe! I would have to bake it as I don’t have a fryer but I bet it would be delicious that way too. And you’re right – tofu is all about the cooking and flavoring. I love it but even I ruin it sometimes if I don’t get those things right!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Kari! It’s still really good baked. 🙂
Yes tofu can be so finicky so I usually spice it up really well and when I don’t it’s a bit of a disappointment.
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This looks wonderful! We have not gotten an air fryer yet either, but may need to for this recipe. Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Christine! The air fryers are so fun. 🙂
Kimmythevegan says
YAS! These look so tasty! I want to eat a big plate of them. I’m totally with you in like that deep-fried taste, without the yucky after-effects. I think these would make a great snack (or dinner haha).
Mary Ellen says
I’ve eaten my fair share of these puppies lately and it’s fun not to have that heavy feeling with the oil. Thanks Kimmy!
Fay says
I made this today. i don’t have a air drier so used oven. I
Really enjoy it. I tried it with various sauces such as
Ketchup, BBQ and seafood cocktail sauce as well as
Your sauce. They all were good. For sure I will make this
Again. It was crunchy and tasty. Thank you so much for
Sharing.
Mary Ellen says
Hi Fay! Thanks so much for letting me know how you liked the recipe – that really made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. All of the sauces you tried with it sound amazing! 🙂
Sarah says
This looks delicious! Tofu is our favorite food group 🙂 I’m putting an air fryer on my Christmas wish list because everyone is raving about them! And this will be our first recipe to try!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Sarah! Tofu is one of my favorite food groups too! I think you’ll love the air fryer!
Randi Tisdall says
Love how you added a video to this!! I’m really interested in getting an air popper now- what else have you made in it? Hope you are doing well!!
Mary Ellen says
Randi thanks! I’m trying to do more videos when I can. I’ve made a number of different tofu recipes. I actually just to a book to review – all air fryer recipes so I’ll be sharing another one soon!
Kate says
Andrew might blame you as I now want an air fryer! This version of popcorn tofu looks amazing! Another option: come over to my house with your air fryer. Montreal is beautiful during the summer months. haha
Mary Ellen says
The air fryer is so fun to use! I would love to drive on up to Montreal with my air fryer in tow (and meet Chester too!). 🙂
Laurel says
I JUST got an air fryer last week! SO excited to try this recipe! Who knew that you could make popcorn tofu! Love LOVE!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Laurel! I’ve been really into the popcorn tofu lately. Airfryers are really fun. 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I don’t have an air fryer yet! Clearly that needs to change so I can make this.
Macy says
I have an air fryer on the way, and while I’ve never had tofu in any capacity, I am so excited to try these!! I bought the tofu today and this will be among the first recipes I try in my air fryer!
Mary Ellen says
I hope you enjoy Macy! I’ve had a lot of great feedback on them so I hope you find them tasty too! 🙂
Macy says
I just realized I don’t have anything like the bouillon base and don’t have access to it. Would it be terrible to leave it out or is there maybe something I could switch it with? I’m so excited about this recipe and just got my air fryer in today! This is what I planned on making for dinner tonight I would love to still make it!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Macy, it gives it a little more “chickn’y” flavor but I wouldn’t say it’s totally necessary especially if you’re making a dipping sauce. I think you could maybe just add a tiny bit more of the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder and it should be fine.
Let me know what you think! I hope you enjoy!
Macy says
They were AMAZING!! This is definitely a new favorite for me! Takes me back to my chikdhood!
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Macy! Yes, I feel they bring me back when I eat them too! 🙂
Vanessa Shay says
I made this for dinner tonight and even my mostly carnivorous husband loved it. Thank you!
Mary Ellen says
Awesome! So glad you and your hubby enjoyed it, Vanessa! 🙂
Jen says
Great snack!
Margaret Carroll says
My kids loved these – great idea for quick snack.
Shelly says
Delicious! Unlike any other recipe I’ve tried of this type. I made the batter and then I made a single serving and I saved the batterfor more the next day! The only thing I did differently was I tossed the tofu in a little buffalo sauce before dunking in the batter but the batter is so flavorful.. I just wanted a little flavor in the middle! I also made a buffalo myo since I’m not a fan of sriracha. I will make these a lot!
Mary Ellen says
So happy you enjoyed them Shelly! I’m going to have to try to add that buffalo sauce before dunking in the batter because I LOVE buffalo sauce too!