Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets (2024)

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by Reneon Jan 25, 2022

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4.70 from 10 ratings

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These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce!

Crispy, spicy and completely delicious! These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are an appetizer that everyone will love. They are marinated with LOTS of flavors, rolled in crushed potato chips and served with bang bang sauce. These are the ultimate party snack!

How to make Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

To give these tofu nuggets lots of flavor, we’ve got to start with a good marinade. Combine non-dairy milk, buffalo sauce and lots of spices. Break apart a block of extra firm tofu (it needs to be extra firm to hold the nugget shape) and add the pieces to the marinade. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but longer is better!

While the tofu is marinating, break apart the potato chips until they look like breadcrumbs. Dip the marinated tofu in the chips and place them on a baking sheet. It can be a little tricky getting the chip crumbs to stick – don’t be afraid to really press them in with your hands.

Give them a quick spray of olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned and crispy.

How to serve Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

While the nuggets are baking, let’s make the dipping sauce. If you haven’t tried my Bang Bang Tofu recipe, then I recommend you try that one too! Bang bang sauce is creamy, and a little spicy. It is the perfect dipping sauce for these nuggets.

You could also serve them with some pre-made ranch or even ketchup. Look, the more dipping sauces the better!

These tofu nuggets are best served straight out of the oven while they’re still hot and crispy!

Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:

Vegan Bang Bang Cauliflower Tacos
Vegan Bang Bang Tofu
Beer Battered Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
Creamy Vegan Rigatoni with Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted Garlic Tomato Spaghettini with Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumbs

Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

Servings: 25 nuggets

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Marinating Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

▢ 1 15-ounce package extra firm tofu drained
▢ 1/2 cup non-dairy milk unsweetened
▢ 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
▢ 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1/2 teaspoon pepper
▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne optional
▢ 4 cups potato chips* crushed into crumbs
▢ olive oil spray
▢ fresh parsley optional, for serving

FOR THE BANG BANG SAUCE

▢ 1/4 cup vegan mayo
▢ 2-3 tablespoons sriracha
▢ 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Instructions

Combine the milk, buffalo sauce and all of the seasonings in a bowl. Break apart the tofu into 1-inch pieces and add them to the bowl. Press the tofu down to submerge and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Dip each piece of tofu in the crushed potato chips and place on the baking sheet.** Spray with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned, flipping halfway.***
While the tofu is baking, make the bang bang sauce. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Let the tofu cool slightly, top with chopped parsley, then serve hot with the dipping sauce.

Video

Notes

*The finer you make the chip crumbs the better they will stick. Feel free to use a food processor to get a super fine texture.

**It can be a little tricky getting the chips to stick. Don’t be afraid to really press the chips into the tofu with your hands.

***Be careful when flipping the tofu so that the coating stays on.

Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below or take a photo and share it on Instagram @thissavoryvegan with #thissavoryvegan.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase I will receive a small percentage of the sale. Please know I would never link a product unless I have personally used it and loved it!

If you make any of these recipes be sure to snap a photo + post it + and tag#thissavoryveganand @thissavoryvegan!

Appetizers Recipes Snacks + Side Dishes Tofu

published on Jan 25, 2022

14 comments Leave a comment »

14 comments on “Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets”

Michele — February 14, 2024 @ 2:49 pm Reply
Made this for Hubby & me as Valentine’s Day appetizer. I renamed it “Tofu di Bufala” as our dinner theme was Italian. 😉 I toned down the Sriracha to 1 & 1/2 TBL for the dipping sauce & it was perfectly spicy without burning 🔥. We both LOOOOOVED IT! My Husband’s words: That recipe is a keeper! Will definitely make this for our next get together! Thank you for sharing ❤️
- Rene — February 14, 2024 @ 3:59 pm Reply
  Love your Valentine’s theme! So cute! So glad it was a hit!
Becca — January 9, 2024 @ 5:01 pm Reply
This was good in theory but I wouldn’t make it again. It had a good flavor but it’s not what I was hoping it would be.
Nicole lee — July 2, 2023 @ 1:34 pm Reply
Yummmmmmm
Elizabeth — December 15, 2022 @ 4:04 am Reply
Could you use panko crumbs instead of potato chips? Trying to think of a slightly healthier alternative. Thank you!
- Rene — December 21, 2022 @ 2:58 pm Reply
  Definitely!
Elmy — June 26, 2022 @ 1:11 pm Reply
Are the nutrition facts per nugget?
mikayla — May 20, 2022 @ 8:05 am Reply
Is there recipe you have of this but not spicy? that texture looks amazing i just don’t really love spicy things im more of savory/salty with honey mustard kind of girl
Jefre — February 8, 2022 @ 7:41 am Reply
Do you need to press the tofu or just drain it?
- Rene — February 9, 2022 @ 4:17 pm Reply
  Hi Jefre – because I used extra-firm tofu, it just needs to be drained, there isn’t a ton of liquid.
Jessica — January 29, 2022 @ 6:33 pm Reply
Any ideas on what I can sub for the buffalo sauce? Less spicy…maybe a sweet chili sauce?
- Rene — January 31, 2022 @ 10:42 am Reply
  Ohhhhhhh! That sounds like a great sub!
Jessica — January 28, 2022 @ 8:07 pm Reply
Made this tonight and it was amazing, kids loved it! Only change was I used air fryer setting on oven aJnd cut the time a few minutes. These were super flavorful, great marinade!
- Rene — January 31, 2022 @ 10:42 am Reply
  Yay! So glad everyone liked it!