These Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu bites are spicy, flavorful, and the perfect easy vegan substitute for chicken wings. Serve them with a side of vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing as a main dish or a party appetizer!
I used to love chicken wings, and while I don't miss the meat, I do crave the flavor and texture sometimes. Enter Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu! All the flavor you need to get your vegan buffalo wing fix!
One of the things I love about this recipe is that there's no messy breading station--which always seems to take 10,000 years. Just mix up a paste, fold the tofu into the paste, and then pop the tofu into the air fryer. While they're cooking make a simple sauce, then toss it all together, and voila! Easy Vegan Buffalo Wings!
Want more flavorful air fryer dinner recipes, check out my Teriyaki Tofu or the BBQ Jackfruit.
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Ingredients
Here's what you need for this recipe!
- super firm tofu: This is tofu that comes vacuum sealed and doesn't really need to be pressed. If you can't find it, use extra firm tofu that has been pressed for 15 to 30 minutes.
- nutritional yeast
- cornstarch: This helps make the nuggets crispy!
- granulated garlic
- onion powder
- water
- soy sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Franks Red Hot Sauce or your favorite hot sauce
- vegan butter: any kind will do!
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
Mix the paste ingredients together in a bowl. Break the tofu into craggy bite-sized chunks and add them directly to the paste.
Gently fold the tofu into the paste until all of the chunks are coated.
Use tongs to transfer the tofu to a lined air fryer basket.
Set the heat to 400F/200C and cook for 15 minutes. About ¾ way through, stop the air fryer and shake the basket or use tongs to separate any tofu chunks that are sticking together. When the tofu is firm and nicely browned it's done!
While the tofu is cooking, add the hot sauce and butter to a small pot. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until combined.
Transfer the cooked tofu to a bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over top. Toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Hint: Using a baking sheet or air fryer liner will make cleanup a snap!
Variations
Here are a few variations you might like.
- BBQ - instead of buffalo sauce, toss with this homemade BBQ sauce.
- Teriyaki - swap the buffalo sauce for this homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Extra Spicy - add a teaspoon or two of cayenne pepper to the tofu paste before cooking.
Prefer cubed tofu? Check out these Air Fryer Tofu Cubes!
Equipment
For this recipe, you just need an air fryer, a large bowl, and a small sauce pot. Tongs are also helpful for transferring the tofu to and from the air fryer, as well as tossing the tofu with the buffalo sauce, but in a pinch, you could use forks or spoons.
How to serve
Serve this Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu with a side of celery and vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing. It works great as a movie night snack or game day appetizer. Or pair it with a side of air fryer tater tots for a fun dinner!
Storage
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. Or freeze for up to three months.
Leftover buffalo tofu can be reheated in a microwave or air fryer (be sure to use a liner for quick cleanup). It can also be served cold and make a great addition to salads or wraps.
Top tip
Be sure to use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the tofu to the air fryer. This will help you avoid getting any excess paste in the air fryer, which can cause the tofu to stick together.
FAQ
If you prefer to make an oil-free sauce, try this Vegan Buffalo Sauce from No Sweat Vegan.
Choose the air fryer that best meets your needs. Consider things like price, size, and functionality. I personally love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, because it has a bigger capacity, which better suits my family of four.
For more info, see my post What Air Fryer Should I Buy? or check out Good Housekeeping's review of the Best Air Fryers of 2023.
When I think of wings, I always think of Frank's Red Hot Sauce (Original). But if you have another brand you love, then use that instead.
Related recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 oz super firm tofu
Tofu Paste
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Buffalo Sauce
- 6 tablespoons Franks Red Hot Sauce or your favorite hot sauce
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter
Instructions
- Mix the paste ingredients together in a bowl. Break the tofu into craggy bite-sized chunks and add them directly to the paste. Gently fold the tofu into the paste until all of the chunks are coated.
- use tongs to transfer the tofu to a lined air fryer basket.
- Set the heat to 400F/200C and cook for 15 minutes. About ¾ way through, stop the air fryer and shake the basket or use tongs to separate any tofu chunks that are sticking together. When the tofu is firm and nicely browned it's done!
- While the tofu is cooking, add the hot sauce and butter to a small pot. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until combined.
- Transfer the cooked tofu to a bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over top. Toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Super firm tofu comes vacuum sealed and doesn't need to be pressed. If you can't find that, use extra firm tofu that has been pressed for 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Air Fryer and food safety tips
Here are a few safety tips for cooking with an air fryer.
- Cook food to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always use oven mitts or some protective hand covering when shaking the basket or removing food from the air fryer.
- Hot air comes out the back of the air fryer. Try to keep the back of the air fryer at least a hands length away from the wall, other ingredients, or anything else that could be damaged by heat.
Leanne says
This was absolutely delicious. We’ll be making this again, maybe even tomorrow.
Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Julianne says
Great! I'm so glad you liked it!
Carolyn Jones says
This recipe was so easy and delicious! I will definitely include it as a quick meal and just add sides. Thank you!
Julianne says
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it!