Description
This Crispy Buffalo Tofu recipe offers a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional buffalo chicken, featuring crunchy tofu bites tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce. Paired perfectly with a vibrant Caesar salad, it makes for a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu and Coating
- 16 ounce package of firm or extra firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Buffalo Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot)
Salad
- Salad greens with Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese dressing (suggested: avocado kale Caesar salad)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain any excess water. Wrap the tofu block in a clean dish towel or several paper towels and gently press to remove additional moisture, spending less than a minute to avoid breaking the tofu.
- Cut and Season: Tear or cut the tofu into bite-sized chunks. In a mixing bowl, toss the tofu pieces with cornstarch, soy sauce, avocado oil, paprika, and garlic powder until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Tofu: Preheat an air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the coated tofu chunks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes, then shake or toss the tofu to turn. Continue air frying for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until the tofu is golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: While the tofu is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, whisk in the hot sauce thoroughly to combine into a smooth buffalo sauce.
- Coat Tofu in Buffalo Sauce: Transfer the crispy fried tofu chunks to a bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Serve: Enjoy the crispy buffalo tofu as a snack or meal dip, or add it on top of your favorite salad such as an avocado kale Caesar salad, or inside a wrap or bowl for a delicious meal.
Notes
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the tofu in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
- Pressing tofu to remove moisture is key to achieving crispiness.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spiciness of the buffalo sauce.
- This recipe pairs well with creamy dressings like Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese to balance the heat.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based butter alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo tofu, crispy tofu, buffalo sauce, air fryer tofu, vegan appetizer, vegetarian buffalo, spicy tofu, tofu salad topping
