Vegan Crispy Fried Chicken Bites

Discover the ultimate comfort food with a plant-based twist in these Vegan Crispy Fried Chicken Bites! Made from protein-packed extra-firm tofu, these bite-sized delights are seasoned to perfection with a blend of smoky paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of cayenne for a subtle kick. The tofu is dipped in a homemade vegan buttermilk, coated in a spiced flour mixture, and fried to golden, crispy perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, these crunchy bites are irresistibly flavorful and pair beautifully with your favorite vegan dipping sauces. Ready in under 40 minutes, this recipe is a must-try for anyone craving indulgent, plant-based comfort food. Perfectly crispy, deliciously satisfying, and entirely vegan—these "fried chicken" bites are sure to become a crowd favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz extra firm tofu
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• for frying vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Drain the tofu and press it to remove excess water. Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top for about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2

Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes and set aside.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix the unsweetened almond milk with the apple cider vinegar to create a vegan buttermilk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.

Step 5

Prepare a dredging station with two bowls: one with the vegan buttermilk and another with the flour mixture.

Step 6

Dip each tofu cube first into the buttermilk, then coat it evenly with the flour mixture. Repeat this step for all tofu pieces, ensuring each piece is fully coated.

Step 7

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium heat. The oil should be about 1-2 inches deep.

Step 8

Once the oil is hot enough (about 350°F or test by dropping a small piece of tofu in; it should sizzle immediately), carefully add the coated tofu cubes in batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 9

Fry the tofu bites for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.

Step 10

Remove the tofu bites using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 11

Serve the Vegan Crispy Fried Chicken Bites hot as a snack or main dish with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(817.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1180.9

Total Fat 39.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2586.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 127.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.6g	0%
Total Sugars 3.1g
Protein 83.5g	0%

Vitamin D 87.8IU	0%
Calcium 3175.7mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 1492.2mg	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: 29.6%

Protein: 27.9%

Carbs: 42.5%