Vegan Crispy Chicken Popcorn
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Crispy Chicken Popcorn! Made with firm tofu as the star ingredient, this recipe perfectly mimics the crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender bite of classic chicken popcorn—entirely vegan. A tangy almond milk and apple cider vinegar "buttermilk" bath ensures each tofu piece is moist and flavorful, while a seasoned coating of flour, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, and aromatic spices like paprika and thyme adds a savory crunch. Perfectly fried for that irresistible crispy texture, these bite-sized delights are ideal for snacking, appetizers, or party platters. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce for a mouthwatering treat everyone will love. Ready in just 45 minutes, this is the ultimate cruelty-free twist on a fast-food favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 14 ounces firm tofu
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
Instructions
Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes.
In a small bowl, mix the almond milk with apple cider vinegar and set aside for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper.
Dip the tofu cubes into the almond milk mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
Transfer the tofu cubes into the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure they are well coated with the dry mixture.
Heat the oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
Fry the coated tofu cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, for about 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the tofu cubes from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Serve the vegan crispy chicken popcorn hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3114 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 259.9 g | 333% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.5 g | 98% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1394 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 146.2 g | 53% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.2 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.3 g | ||
| Protein | 66.1 g | 132% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 1045 mg | 80% | |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 1206 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
