This air fryer buffalo tofu is the tofu that convinced my meat-eating family to love tofu. It's crispy, it's flavourful, takes less than 30 minutes to make and it's SO easy.
It's taken me YEARS to finally get my family to try more plant based protein sources. To give you a bit of context, my dad, brother and Brandon are HUGE meat eaters. So being someone who enjoys adding plant based protein sources into my diet whenever I can I made it my mission to find a non-meat protein that the people in my life actually enjoyed.
They were always turned off by the typical soft texture of tofu and to be honest I understand it's not for everyone. SO I tried so many different methods of cooking it trying to find one that they liked.... until I found THE PERFECT EASY BUFFALO TOFU. It was the perfect option, crispy on the outside, and not too squishy on the inside, but still packed with flavour. It's safe to say that buffalo tofu is now a weekly request in my house. So I'd call that a WIN!
(if you are also trying to convince your family to eat more plant based options.... TRY this tofu alfredo!)
Ingredients
Tofu- Choose an EXTRA firm option like this one! Soft, medium, or firm will not stay in shape when you cut it and won't get as crispy when you bake it.
Buffalo Sauce- Buffalo sauce can actually be super challenging to find and I'm not too sure why.... But I really enjoy using this one. OR if you can find it Primal Kitchen also has a great buffalo sauce!
Cornstarch- The secret to crispy tofu, all you need is a few tablespoons of cornstarch and your tofu will get that perfect crispy outer layer we all want. I like using this cornstarch but the choice is yours!
Oil- Any liquid cooking oil will do. I personally use olive oil or avocado oil but vegetable and canola both work as well!
Spices- garlic powder, salt and pepper are all you need for this recipe!
Dipping sauce- If you decide you want to eat this easy buffalo tofu alone (because I swear it's that good you'll want to), it pairs perfectly with this ranch dressing!
Instructions
All you need is a skillet and an oven OR an air fryer and you're set! I've been making this recipe since back before air fryers were popular (so like 2019 lol). The oven method is the OG version and honestly despite how obsessed with the air fryer (see my air fryer cookie and brussel sprouts) I am I would still say I prefer this method. There's just something about the crisp outer layer that forms while you are frying the tofu in the skillet, combined with the texture it gets from the oven that just makes this tofu PERFECT.
That being said the air fryer is a great option if you're shorter on time (while you're at it you should also try my other tofu recipe!). It still gets crispy and it still tastes amazing... so the choice is really yours!
Using a tofu press (or lots of heavy books), drain and press tofu, chop into bite size pieces and add to a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Add 3 tablespoon of buffalo sauce in with the tofu and mix until thoroughly coated.
Add tofu to the basket of your air fryer (don't forget to spray the bottom with a non stick cooking spray!).
Air fry at 400°F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
Toss the air fried tofu in the remaining tablespoon of buffalo sauce and enjoy.
Substitutions and Variations
To make vegan: Use a vegan buffalo sauce like this one from Primal Kitchen.
To make gluten-free: This is naturally a gluten-free recipe. Most cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, however I always recommend double-checking if you do have a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease.
For those of you who prefer less spice, try mixing your buffalo sauce with some barbeque sauce!
Equipment
Storage
This buffalo tofu is best enjoyed fresh for the best crispy texture, however you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Top Tip
The key to getting the crispiest tofu is using extra firm tofu and squeezing out all the water! You can use a tofu press or you can wrap the tofu in a piece of paper towel and place a heavy pan or books on top of the tofu for about 10 minutes prior to cutting into cubes.
Frequently Asked Questions
So many ways! I like eating it alone with ranch sauce, adding it to burrito bowls, adding to wraps or sandwiches.. the possibilities are endless! It's also a great vegetarian protein swap for some of my meat-based recipes like this spaghetti squash casserole.
Yes! Tofu is a great plant-based protein that is low in saturated fat. It's even a source of nutrients that are harder to find in a plant-based diet, like calcium and iron. I know a lot of people worry about the phytoestrogens in tofu, however most research has shown that tofu is safe- in some cases, it may even be protective against breast cancer (although more research is needed in this area).
Bottom line is, you don't need to be concerned about eating moderate amounts of tofu in a balanced diet! If you're worried about the amount of tofu in your diet, speak to a dietitian.
More Easy Meal Recipes
Need more easy plant-based meals? Try these:
- The BEST Tofu Meatballs
- Easy Weeknight Tofu Satay Stir Fry
- Vegetarian Fried Rice (Without Soy Sauce)
- Easy Veggie Italian Ratatouille Recipe
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this air fryer buffalo tofu, don't forget to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or comment how it turned out below!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoon buffalo sauce of choice (see my recommendations in text above recipe)
Instructions
Oven Method
- Using a tofu press (or lots of heavy books), drain and press tofu, chop into bite size pieces and add to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Mix the cornstarch mixture in with the chopped tofu, using your hands to gently toss until the tofu is fully coated.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped tofu cooking for about 4 minutes per side until a crisp outer layer begins to form.
- While the tofu is in the skillet, preheat oven to 425°F.
- After the tofu has browned on all sides, add tofu back into the large bowl, coating it with about 3 tablespoon of the buffalo sauce. Spread the tofu on a prepared baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook about about 20 minutes, flipping half way.
- After the tofu is cooked, coat in the remaining buffalo sauce and enjoy!
Air Fryer Method
- Using a tofu press (or lots of heavy books), drain and press tofu, chop into bite size pieces and add to a large bowl.
- Add 3 tablespoon of buffalo sauce in with the tofu and mix until thoroughly coated.
- Toss the buffalo tofu in cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add tofu to the basket of your air fryer (don't forget to spray the bottom with a non stick cooking spray!)
- Air fry at 400°F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Toss the air fried tofu in the remaining tablespoon of buffalo sauce and enjoy.
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