Description

This Crispy Buffalo Tofu recipe delivers a flavorful, spicy twist on traditional buffalo wings using firm tofu. Perfect as a protein-packed topping for salads or a tasty snack, the tofu is coated in cornstarch and spices, air-fried until golden and crispy, then tossed in a rich buffalo sauce made from butter and hot sauce.

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 (like Frank’s RedHot)

Serving Suggestion

Salad with Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese dressing (such as avocado kale Caesar salad)

Instructions

Drain and Press Tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Wrap it in a clean dish towel or several paper towels and gently squeeze out excess moisture to help the tofu crisp up better. This should take less than a minute.
Prepare Tofu Pieces: Pull 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 fully coated with the seasoning mixture.
Air Fry the Tofu: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the coated tofu pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, shake or gently toss the tofu, then air fry for an additional 5-6 minutes until the tofu is golden brown and crispy. (Alternatively, you can bake in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.)
Make Buffalo Sauce and Toss: While the tofu cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Whisk in the hot sauce to create the buffalo sauce. When tofu is crispy, toss the pieces in the buffalo sauce until thoroughly coated.
Serve: Enjoy the crispy buffalo tofu as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce or use it as a spicy protein topping for salads, wraps, or bowls. It pairs wonderfully with Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese dressings, especially in an avocado kale Caesar salad.

Notes

Pressing the tofu is essential to remove excess moisture for maximum crispiness.
For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative.
Air frying yields a crispier texture compared to baking, but baking is a good alternative if you don’t have an air fryer.
Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of hot sauce or using a milder sauce.
To store leftovers, keep the buffalo tofu separate from the sauce to maintain crispiness and re-toast before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack, Salad Topping
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 oz tofu with sauce)
Calories: 210
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: crispy buffalo tofu, buffalo tofu recipe, air fryer tofu, spicy tofu, buffalo sauce tofu, tofu salad topping, vegetarian buffalo wings