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    Home

    Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

    January 25, 2022 By Rene 10 Comments

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

    Jump to Recipe
    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets

    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.

    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets
    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets

    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!

    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets
    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets

    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
    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets
    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets

    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce!
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Keyword appetizer, buffalo, game day snacks, snacks, super bowl, tofu
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Marinating Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings 25 nuggets
    Calories 101kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 15-ounce package extra firm tofu drained
    • ½ cup non-dairy milk unsweetened
    • ½ cup buffalo sauce
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
    • 4 cups potato chips* crushed into crumbs
    • olive oil spray
    • fresh parsley optional, for serving

    FOR THE BANG BANG SAUCE

    • ¼ 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg

    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 #thissavoryvegan and  @thissavoryvegan!

    These Spicy Popcorn Tofu Nuggets are seasoned to perfection, battered in potato chip crumbs and served with my favorite bang bang sauce | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #tofunuggets #vegannuggets
    « Weekly Vegan Dinner Plan #163
    Weekly Vegan Dinner Plan #164 »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth

      December 15, 2022 at 4:04 am

      Could you use panko crumbs instead of potato chips? Trying to think of a slightly healthier alternative. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Rene

        December 21, 2022 at 2:58 pm

        Definitely!

        Reply
    2. Elmy

      June 26, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      Are the nutrition facts per nugget?

      Reply
    3. mikayla

      May 20, 2022 at 8:05 am

      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

      Reply
    4. Jefre

      February 08, 2022 at 7:41 am

      Do you need to press the tofu or just drain it?

      Reply
      • Rene

        February 09, 2022 at 4:17 pm

        Hi Jefre - because I used extra-firm tofu, it just needs to be drained, there isn't a ton of liquid.

        Reply
    5. Jessica

      January 29, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      Any ideas on what I can sub for the buffalo sauce? Less spicy...maybe a sweet chili sauce?

      Reply
      • Rene

        January 31, 2022 at 10:42 am

        Ohhhhhhh! That sounds like a great sub!

        Reply
    6. Jessica

      January 28, 2022 at 8:07 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rene

        January 31, 2022 at 10:42 am

        Yay! So glad everyone liked it!

        Reply

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    I’m Rene! So-cal native, dog mom and lover of all things spicy. Learn more.

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