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.
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.)
I saw this while driving home one day.
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):
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.
Other vegan recipes at Southern Kissed:
📖 Recipe
Popcorn Tofu Recipe
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.
Sad says
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.
Lynda says
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.
Captain Andrew says
Sweet or dill pickle juice?
Lynda says
Dill
Shari says
Should you cut up the tofu before you marinate it?
Lynda says
Definitely.
Jere says
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…
Lynda says
Thanks, Jere.
Vicky says
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!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
Looks yummy. I always use firm tofu when I make “chicken” nuggets.
Autumn says
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!
Donna says
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! 🙂
patti says
To me, Tofu is tasteless, so it absorbs flavors. It looks delicious
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
What a great alternative to chicken. I enjoy tofu every now and then. Did you use firm or extra firm?
Lynda says
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?)
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I have never tried tofu. Looks tasty..
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
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. 😉
Robin Gagnon says
I should do something similar with the block of extrafirm tofu I have in my fridge right now.
Stefanie says
I like tofu occasionally. They really do look like chicken nuggets!
Marcie W. says
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.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
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!
Kira says
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.
Kathleen says
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.
Tammy says
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….
Shell Feis says
Looks yummy! I like tofu & while I still eat some chicken, I always buy cage free eggs & chicken.
courtney says
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.
Lynda says
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.
Vanessa: the queen of swag ! says
I seriously am trying to become a vegetarian because pictures like that just make me disgusted.
Colleen says
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.
Angela says
I am pretty amazed by this. Yours looks like the real deal.
Katy says
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.
Beth Letson says
Very interesting! I’ve never tried tofu, but I may have to give this a whirl sometime!