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Home » Recipes » Easy Popcorn Tofu Recipe

Easy Popcorn Tofu Recipe

Published: Aug 29, 2019 · Modified: Dec 14, 2022 by Lynda · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

These popcorn tofu nuggets are a good alternative to chicken. Coated in seasoned pancake mix and fried, they taste similar to Chick-Fil-A nuggets.

Popcorn tofu nuggets on a plate.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪How To Make Popcorn Tofu
  • 📖 Recipe

This popcorn tofu is a good solution for those times that you want some Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets but want to eat compassionately. No, you did not read that wrong. I made a vegan popcorn chicken recipe using tofu that tastes similar to Chick-Fil-A chicken and it was pretty darn good, even though it was meat-free.

Want to know what inspired me? (Warning:  some may find the following photos disturbing.)

Chickens being transported

I saw this while driving home one day. 

Chickens laying eggs in transportation crates

Eggs and cracked eggs everywhere.

I am not a vegetarian – yet, but when I see these trucks it makes me wish that I was. I like my chickens to have a good life – cage-free, antibiotic-free, and hormone-free. I doubt that these were. These girls could end up anywhere, including one of my favorite fast-food joints.

I had some of my batter that I use to make my Chick-Fil-A clone and decided to try some tofu nuggets.

I used organic tofu made with non-GMO soybeans. An 8-ounce container has 2.5 servings, each with only 100 calories and 11 grams of protein. Don’t ask how many total calories this has or how many Weight Watcher points. I have no clue. But if you are limiting your meat or are a vegan, this would be a great substitute.

🥘 Ingredients

For this fun vegan dish, you need the following ingredients:

  • 8 ounces of Tofu, drained
  • 2 cups peanut oil
  • 2 cups dry pancake mix
  • ¼  cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • Pickle Juice

🔪How To Make Popcorn Tofu

To make it, start by soaking the tofu in pickle juice and placing it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Next, combine all of the dry ingredients in a large container and set it aside.

When it is time to fry, place peanut or vegetable oil in a large skillet and heat the oil to 350 degrees.

Drain the tofu and coat each piece with dry batter.

Fry for approximately 4-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked thoroughly.

Here is what the recipe looks like made with the real thing (chicken):

Chicken nuggets on a paper towel.

I think that the tofu looks pretty much like the real (clone) thing, don’t you? The texture is a little bit different, but until there is real Chick-Fil-A tofu on the menu, these vegan tofu chicken nuggets are a great substitute.

Popcorn tofu nuggets on a paper towel.

Other vegan recipes at Southern Kissed:

  • Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce
  • Tomato Curry Sauce
  • Carrot Juice
  • Ginger Green Juice

📖 Recipe

Popcorn tofu nuggets on a plate.

Popcorn Tofu Recipe

This popcorn tofu is a good solution for those times that you want some Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets but want to eat compassionately. 
4.22 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Lynda

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Tofu drained
  • 2 cups peanut oil

Breading

  • 2 cups dry pancake mix
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon basil

Brine

  • Pickle Juice

Instructions

  • Soak tofu in pickle juice and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large container and set aside.
  • When it is time to fry, place peanut or vegetable oil in a large skillet and heat the oil to 350 degrees.
  • Drain the tofu and coat each piece with dry batter.
  • Fry for approximately 4-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked thoroughly.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 1203mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g
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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sad says

    August 18, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    Sorry to say we made this last night and we were disappointed. Not only did they not taste great, the quantities were WAY off. I was left with close to one and three quarter cups of dry ingredients left over after coating the tofu thoroughly, despite using twice the quantity of tofu recommended. There was just so much waste.
    I ended up doubling the flavour ingredients (paprika, cayenne, basil, etc) as the first few pieces that we tested were flavorless.
    I think there is some potential in this but we had to do a lot of tweaking of the recipe to make it work. I think the pickle juice does add a lot to the flavour.

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      August 19, 2020 at 6:42 am

      Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment. I am sorry that it did not work out for you. I will take your comment into consideration when I remake this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Captain Andrew says

    December 29, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Sweet or dill pickle juice?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      December 29, 2019 at 2:08 pm

      Dill

      Reply
  3. Shari says

    September 02, 2019 at 9:27 am

    Should you cut up the tofu before you marinate it?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      September 02, 2019 at 9:29 am

      Definitely.

      Reply
  4. Jere says

    January 08, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    The best method I found for making tofu have a meaty texture is to rinse it good, no draining needed, freeze it, then boil it. You can boil it with seasonings for extra flavor or freeze it with your seasoning if you prepAre ahead of time…

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      January 08, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Thanks, Jere.

      Reply
  5. Vicky says

    February 26, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Recently a started to drained my tofu before I cook it, it make all the diffrence! Texture is a lot better and taking the water out also help the tofu to absorb flavours! (Sorry for my english) I suggest you to go take a look on youtube!

    Reply
  6. Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says

    September 16, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    Looks yummy. I always use firm tofu when I make “chicken” nuggets.

    Reply
  7. Autumn says

    September 04, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I hate tofu, but if you can tell me I can make it taste like CFA, I’m all over it. I just have to have CFA sauce. Makes everything better!

    Reply
  8. Donna says

    September 02, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    I’ve never eaten tofu (my hubby has and loves it) before, but would definitely give it a try… especially with the Chick-fil-A batter! 🙂

    Reply
  9. patti says

    September 02, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    To me, Tofu is tasteless, so it absorbs flavors. It looks delicious

    Reply
  10. Jenn- The Rebel Chick says

    September 01, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    What a great alternative to chicken. I enjoy tofu every now and then. Did you use firm or extra firm?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      September 01, 2013 at 10:00 pm

      I used extra firm. I served it to some guests who had been like me and had not really eaten tofu previously. They liked the batter. One commented that the tofu had an omelette-like texture inside. (Is that normal?)

      Reply
  11. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    September 01, 2013 at 8:42 am

    I have never tried tofu. Looks tasty..

    Reply
  12. Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says

    August 31, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    I haven’t cooked with Tofu in a long time — we try to avoid most soy for a lot of reasons. BUT…. you coat it with Chicfila batter and that would change. 😉

    Reply
  13. Robin Gagnon says

    August 31, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    I should do something similar with the block of extrafirm tofu I have in my fridge right now.

    Reply
  14. Stefanie says

    August 31, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    I like tofu occasionally. They really do look like chicken nuggets!

    Reply
  15. Marcie W. says

    August 31, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Photos like those are why I only purchase eggs and chicken that is organic, cage free and free range. You truly can taste the difference! I like the idea of popcorn tofu, but too much soy can be harmful as well, so only in moderation.

    Reply
  16. Tiff @ Babes and Kids says

    August 30, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    There are certain things that we actually really like tofu in, but I’ve never tried it in a recipe where I substitute it for chicken. I’m actually really curious to try it now, it looks yummy!

    Reply
  17. Kira says

    August 30, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    No, I’ve never had tofu, but you made it look so good. I had to do a double take, it looks so much like chicken popcorn, good job.

    Reply
  18. Kathleen says

    August 30, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    I would love to give this a try. I felt the same way about eating beef when we drove into Dodge City, Kansas, and all the way there we saw and smelled the fields and fields of cattle packed into small pens waiting to be butchered.

    Reply
  19. Tammy says

    August 30, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I’m not a fan of tofu, but am all over the cloned chicken nuggets 🙂 And if I figure correctly, the Tofu package is about 5 or 6 weight watchers points….

    Reply
  20. Shell Feis says

    August 30, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Looks yummy! I like tofu & while I still eat some chicken, I always buy cage free eggs & chicken.

    Reply
  21. courtney says

    August 30, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    I enjoy tofu but have to remove from my diet since baby is allergic. However we choose to only eat organic and humanely raised and handled poultry, meats, fish and so on.

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      August 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      You go girl! I think we (people in the US in general) have become so far removed from the food system – we turn a blind eye. So sad. I hope your baby’s allergies miraculously go away.

      Reply
  22. Vanessa: the queen of swag ! says

    August 30, 2013 at 1:15 am

    I seriously am trying to become a vegetarian because pictures like that just make me disgusted.

    Reply
  23. Colleen says

    August 29, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    Tofu is usually a good substitute since it takes on the taste of what you are cooking. Thanks I will have to give it a try.

    Reply
  24. Angela says

    August 29, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    I am pretty amazed by this. Yours looks like the real deal.

    Reply
  25. Katy says

    August 29, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    WOW!!!! They look just like the real thing! I have never eaten tofu, but if I was going to try it, this would be the recipe.

    Reply
  26. Beth Letson says

    August 29, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Very interesting! I’ve never tried tofu, but I may have to give this a whirl sometime!

    Reply

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Lynda and Johnny statue

My name is Lynda and I am a recovering sugar addict and travel junkie. I'm also a mom of two children & 2 dogs, wife of 1....and a messy cook taking life one bite at a time.

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