Both tofu and chicken are two of the best sources of protein. Loaded with adequate nutrients, the two are highly beneficial for your overall health. From better immunity to improving strength, and building muscles, tofu, and chicken work wonders for your physical health. Whether you are a bodybuilder or fitness freak, you can incorporate tofu and chicken into your diet. There are many recipes that you can prepare using chicken and tofu as the primary ingredients. For instance, popcorn tofu ‘chicken’ is something you cannot say no to.
Are you vegan or pure vegetarian? Cannot include chicken in your diet? No worries. In this blog, we have mentioned the recipe for crispy vegan popcorn tofu “chicken” bites with a ‘meaty’ texture that tastes exactly like chicken and provides a full dose of nutrients.
So, what are we waiting for? In this all-inclusive blog, we have shared a recipe for popcorn tofu ‘chicken’ bites that you can easily prepare without the need for an actual cooking experience. So, let’s begin.
How to Make Popcorn Tofu ‘Chicken’ Recipe?
Crispy, flavorful, and spicy popcorn tofu ‘chicken’ bites make the best evening or midnight snack without using chicken as the main ingredient. You can enjoy these bites with the dipping sauce of your choice. These are easy-to-prepare and small bite-sized pieces that you can just throw into your mouth and enjoy.
So, before your mouth starts watering, let’s get started.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make popcorn tofu ‘chicken’ bites.
- Tofu
- Frozen and pressed tofu
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Soy sauce
2. Batter
- Soy milk or other vegan or plant-derived milk
- Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- All-purpose flour
- Corn starch
- Salt as per taste
- Garlic powder
- Ground pepper
3. Coating
- Panko or Japanese bread crumbs
- Garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper
4. For Cooking
- Neutral oil
5. Dipping Sauce
- Vegan mayo
- Minced garlic
- Sriracha or other hot sauce
- Pinch salt
Recipe To Make Popcorn Tofu ‘Chicken’
- Prepare The Tofu
- The first step is to completely thaw the tofu the day before you use it to prepare the recipe
- Drain the extra water from the tofu
- Carefully chop the tofu into small chucks
- Once you have chopped the tofu, season it with soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper. Leave to marinate for 10-15 minutes
2. Prepare The Batter
- Mix vinegar into the soy milk or other plant-derived milk for at least 5 minutes
- Mix all the other dry batter ingredients in a separate bowl until combined properly
- Add the vinegar and milk mixture to the dry mixture
- Mix the ingredients until there are no signs of dry flour and lumps
3. Bread Crumbs
- Mix all the ingredients, including the bread crumbs, garlic powder, and ground pepper in a large bowl
4. Coating Tofu
- Dip a chunk of tofu into the batter and then coat it well with the breadcrumbs mixture
- Repeat this process for all of the remaining pieces of tofu
5. Dipping Sauce
To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients like vegan mayo, minced garlic, sriracha, or other hot sauce, and a pinch of salt into a small bowl. You can customize the sauce as per your taste.
6. Deep Frying
- Take enough oil in a large pan and heat the oil over medium to high flame
- After heating the oil, add coated tofu carefully
- Fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy
- Take out the pieces from the pan and place them on a cooking rack to remove extra oil
- Serve hot and crispy with your dipping sauce of choice
Other than deep frying, there are two other ways to make popcorn tofu ‘chicken’. This includes
- Baking: Heat oven to 350 F. Line your tray with some parchment paper. Apply some oil to the tofu pieces. Bake the tofu for 35-40 minutes or until both sides turn brown and crispy.
- Air Fryer: You can cook your tofu at 350 F for anywhere between 15 to 18 minutes, turn halfway through cooking.
Closing Words
Hopefully, you liked the recipe. So, what are you waiting for? Wear your chef hat and get started.
Don’t forget to share this yummy recipe with your nears and dears.
