These Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are crispy, dippable, and downright delicious. Try this fun (and healthy!) alternative to deep-fried nuggets next time you're in a fast-food kind of mood. It's so yummy that even the kids will love it!
This yummy and healthier recipe for crispy tofu nuggets is about to become your favorite finger food.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love It
I'm always looking for snacks that would be good finger foods for game day to go along with our other favorites like my Vegan Queso and Buffalo Quinoa Balls. Popcorn tofu sounded like a perfect addition to our repertoire.
These yummy little nuggets have quickly become one of our very favorite Sunday snacks. Not only are they crispy and delicious, they're also super easy to make. As a bonus, you can make them in the air fryer, which makes them healthy and easy to clean up.
If you're like me, you love a variety of dips and sauces such as "honey" mustard, vegan ranch, and sriracha mayo, - these little guys are going to win you over in no time. They're the perfect crunchy, salty, and utterly satisfying vehicle for shoveling ALL of your favorite dips into your mouth.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Perhaps the best part about this recipe - aside from being easy and delicious, of course - is how simple it is. If you've taken my advice from the vegan pantry staples post, you likely already have everything on hand!
Here's everything you need:
- Extra Firm Tofu: If you don't have extra firm tofu on hand you can swap in firm tofu - just be sure to press it first!
- Quinoa Flour: I use quinoa flour to make the popcorn tofu gluten-free. Other gluten-free flours work as well such as chickpea or Bob's GF flour mix. If you are not gluten-free, you can sub regular flour. Note: do not use coconut flour - it will make the batter too thick.
- Cornmeal: This adds a nice texture. If you are avoiding corn, you can add a little more flour to thicken the coating.
- Nutritional Yeast: For an extra boost of flavor.
- No-Chicken Bullion: I used both Better than Bullion no chicken base to really pump up the chick'n flavor in the batter.
- Seasonings: I use Dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper to add extra flavor to the batter.
- Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: You can use any kind of non-dairy milk you want (almond, soy, rice, etc....just make sure it's unsweetened!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko is the Japanese version of breadcrumbs. It has a crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs, so I definitely recommend it for this recipe. That said, you can certainly swap out regular (or homemade) breadcrumbs, instead. Opt for a gluten-free version if necessary.
How to Make Breaded Tofu Nuggets
I love making these yummy little tofu nuggets because they are SO EASY. In fact, you don't even need to bust out your knife! Read on below to get the skinny on this awesome vegan appetizer recipe.
As with many tofu recipes, you're going to want to press your tofu first. This helps to remove excess liquid and results in a firmer texture. For something like these nuggets, that's an important factor!
Step 1: Press the Tofu. You can either use a tofu press (which I highly recommend if you're going vegan), or you can place the block of tofu on a cutting board. Top it with a few layers of paper towels, then place a skillet or sheet pan on top. Weight it down with some heavy cans and wait for about an hour.
Step 2: Tear the Tofu. Tear your tofu into bite-sized pieces. While you *could* use a knife and cut it into cubes, there's something inherently more nugget-like when you rip it. It's also a bonus that you don't have to wash a knife or cutting board!
Step 3: Make Dipping Bowls. 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. Put the panko crumbs in a separate bowl.
Step 5: Dip. Dip the tofu into the batter with one hand, then place them into the panko. Shake the bowl and use your other hand to fully coat the pieces.
How to Air Fry
If you don't yet have an air fryer, you might want to look into it. Not only is it excellent to cook with when you don't want to turn on your oven, but it also does a great job of making food super crispy and delicious without all the oil of deep-frying.
Step 6 (Option 1): Once your breaded tofu nuggets are ready, lay them in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. Air fry them at 350F for 6 minutes, then either shake the basket or remove and flip the tofu pieces for even cooking. Return to the air fryer for another 6 minutes.
How to Bake
No air fryer? No problem! First, preheat your oven to 400F. If you want, you can line your sheet pan with some parchment. It'll make clean up a snap.
Step 6 (Option 2): Place your breaded popcorn tofu pieces in a single layer, then pop them in the heated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through cooking.
Serving Suggestions
As with all crunchy fried things, these popcorn tofu bites are best served hot from the air fryer or oven.
Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces such as:
- BBQ sauce
- Ranch dressing/sauce (check out my ranch recipe here)
- Ketchup
- Vegan "honey" mustard
- Vegan blue cheese dressing
- Sriracha mayo (recipe below)
- Buffalo sauce - you can even toss them in buffalo sauce to make buffalo bites
Pro Tips
- Worried about your hands getting messy during the breading process? Check out this informative post about how to use a two-handed method.
- Want to make SPICY popcorn tofu? Add a teaspoon (or more to taste) of cayenne powder to the batter!
Frequently Asked Questions
While these little bad boys are best straight from the air fryer or oven, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.
First, you can prepare the batter up to two days in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. You may need to add a little more milk or water to thin out the batter if it gets too thick.
Second, you can press your tofu and tear it into nugget shapes ahead of time. When it's time to eat, simply dip, toss, and air fry/bake!
While not all breaded tofu nuggets are created equal, that's why I made my Popcorn Tofu recipe for either the oven or air fryer. As a result, you'll avoid a bunch of extra oil that you might find in other recipes. Don't worry though - these are still crunchy and delicious! One serving has a whopping 16 grams of protein and nearly 5 grams of fiber for just a measly 261 calories and 5.5 grams of fat. That's what I call a WIN. If you want more information about the nutritional benefits of tofu, check out this post.
I recommend reheating any leftovers in the oven, air fryer or toaster oven. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 325F. Bake for about 5 mins in a toaster oven and 5-8 min in the oven. Preheat air fryer to 300F then air fry for 3-5 mins.
I do NOT recommend microwaving leftovers, as they will end up soggy.
Heck yeah, you can! They're gluten-free to begin with! Just make sure you choose a gluten-free Panko or breadcrumb.
Yes, after baking or air frying, you can free the tofu nuggets for up to 1 month. When reheating, bake on 350F for about 10-12 minutes or preheat the air fryer to 300F, and air fry for 5-7 minutes.
More Vegan Meatless Recipes
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
📖 Recipe
Popcorn Tofu
Ingredients
Popcorn Tofu
- 14 oz extra firm tofu in water drained and pressed
- ½ cup quinoa flour or any gluten-free flour if you need gf
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 3 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 Tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Chicken Base
- 1 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup unsweetened dairy free milk more if needed
- 1.5 cup panko bread crumbs gluten free if needed
Sriracha Mayo
- ½ cup vegan mayo
- 2 Tablespoon 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.*
Air Fryer Directions
- Add as many nuggets that fit into the air fryer basket. You don't want the basket too crowded or they will stick together so you will have to do this in a few batches. Set air fryer at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Shake the basket ½ way through.
Oven Directions
- Add tofu nuggets to sheet pan(s)**. Bake the popcorn tofu for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees.
Sriracha Mayo
- Mix vegan mayo and sriracha together and serve with popcorn tofu.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them.Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
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!
Margaret Carroll says
My kids loved these - great idea for quick snack.
Jen says
Great snack!
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! 🙂
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! 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I don't have an air fryer yet! Clearly that needs to change so I can make this.
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. 🙂
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!). 🙂
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!
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!
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! 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!