Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad Recipe
Crispy Buffalo Tofu is a flavorful and spicy plant-based dish that features perfectly air-fried tofu chunks coated in a buttery hot sauce. This recipe is ideal for those craving a crispy texture with a kick of buffalo flavor, complementing salads, wraps, or bowls beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu 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 (e.g., avocado kale Caesar salad)
Instructions
- Drain and Press Tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Wrap the block with a clean dish towel or a few paper towels, and gently press to remove excess moisture. This step should take less than a minute to ensure tofu crisps well.
- Cut and Season: Pull or cut the tofu into bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, toss the tofu pieces with cornstarch, soy sauce, avocado oil, paprika, and garlic powder until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Tofu: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the tofu chunks in a single layer inside the basket. Air fry for 8 minutes, then shake or toss the tofu to promote even cooking. Continue air frying for another 5-6 minutes until the tofu turns golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare Buffalo Sauce: While the tofu is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Whisk in the hot sauce until fully combined to create a smooth buffalo sauce.
- Toss Tofu in Sauce: Once the tofu is crispy, transfer it to a bowl and toss thoroughly with the buffalo sauce so each piece is coated evenly.
- Serve: Serve the crispy buffalo tofu as a protein topping over your favorite salad, such as an avocado kale Caesar salad, or enjoy it as a flavorful snack with ranch, Caesar, or blue cheese dressing. It’s also great in wraps and bowls.
Notes
- If you prefer to bake instead of air frying, bake tofu chunks on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Pressing tofu effectively is crucial for crispiness; the more moisture removed, the better the texture.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity according to desired spice level.
- This recipe pairs well with creamy dressings that balance heat.
Keywords: buffalo tofu, crispy tofu, air fryer tofu, vegan buffalo bites, spicy tofu, tofu salad topping
