Vegan Crispy Chicken Popcorn

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Crispy Chicken Popcorn! Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these bite-sized delights are made from firm tofu, masterfully coated in a flavorful blend of nutritional yeast, paprika, and aromatic spices. This recipe uses a vegan buttermilk made from almond milk and apple cider vinegar, ensuring a delightful crunch with every bite. Whether you're serving these as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, game-day snack, or pairing them with your favorite dipping sauce, this quick and easy recipe is guaranteed to impress vegans and non-vegans alike. With just 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook time, you can enjoy a healthier, meat-free alternative to classic chicken popcorn without compromising on taste or texture.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix the almond milk with apple cider vinegar and set aside for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute.

Step 3

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Dip the tofu cubes into the almond milk mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.

Step 5

Transfer the tofu cubes into the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure they are well coated with the dry mixture.

Step 6

Heat the oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Remove the tofu cubes from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 9

Serve the vegan crispy chicken popcorn hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1055.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3113.7

Total Fat 259.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1394.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 146.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.2g	0%
Total Sugars 22.3g
Protein 66.1g	0%

Vitamin D 78.1IU	0%
Calcium 1045.4mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 1205.5mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.4%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 18.3%