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Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu with Sriracha Dipping Sauce {GF}

This Air Fryer 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 the tofu.

Air Fryer Popcorn 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.

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.

 

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

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 so the air fryer is a great alternative because only the back of the fryer gets a little hot but the room itself won’t.

Don’t have an Air Fryer?

No problem! See instructions in my recipe directions on how to bake the popcorn tofu if you don’t have an air fryer.

They won’t come out as “fried” but they’re still crispy and tasty!

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

 

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Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

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.

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.

 

If you make these Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.

Share your pictures of any of my recipes on Instagram and use #vnutrition or tag @v.nutrition so I won’t miss it!

4.63 from 8 votes
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Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

This Air Fryer 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 the tofu.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword airfryer popcorn tofu, popcorn tofu
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 261 kcal
Author Mary Ellen

Ingredients

Popcorn Tofu

Sriracha Mayo

Instructions

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

Rip the pressed tofu into bite size pieces.

  1. 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. 

  2. Add panko breadcrumbs to separate bowl. 

  3. Dip tofu pieces into the batter, then into breadcrumbs, and then place in the basket of air fryer. * (see recipe notes for baking tofu)

  4. Set air fryer at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Shake the basket 1/2 way through. 

Sriracha Mayo

  1. Mix vegan mayo and sriracha together and serve with popcorn tofu.

Recipe Notes

If you do not have an air fryer, you can bake the popcorn tofu for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees. 

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu
Amount Per Serving
Calories 261 Calories from Fat 50
% Daily Value*
Fat 5.5g8%
Carbohydrates 37.5g13%
Fiber 4.8g20%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 350IU7%
Calcium 212.5mg21%
Iron 2.7mg15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. 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!

    Reply

  7. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  9. 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).

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

    • 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! 🙂

      Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  13. 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

    Reply

  16. 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!

    Reply

      • 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!

        Reply

        • 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!

          Reply

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