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Home » Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu

Published: Jun 22, 2023 · Modified: Oct 25, 2024 by Julianne · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 4 Comments

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Air fryer buffalo tofu pin.
Air fryer buffalo tofu pin.

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!

Air fryer buffalo tofu on a plate with celery and vegan ranch.
These Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Wings are spicy and delicious!

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.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • How to serve
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • FAQ
  • Related recipes
  • Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu
  • Air Fryer and food safety tips

Ingredients

Here's what you need for this recipe!

Air fryer buffalo tofu ingredients.
Here's what you need to make this easy Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu.
  • 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.

Hand breaking tofu block into chunks.

Mix the paste ingredients together in a bowl. Break the tofu into craggy bite-sized chunks and add them directly to the paste.

Tofu bites mixed with paste in a bowl.

Gently fold the tofu into the paste until all of the chunks are coated.

Hand using tongs to add tofu chunks to an air fryer.

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!

Buffalo sauce and vegan butter in a small pot with a whisk.

While the tofu is cooking, add the hot sauce and butter to a small pot. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until combined.

Hand tossing air fried tofu with buffalo sauce.

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!

Air Fried buffalo tofu wings on a plate with celery and ranch.
Serve these Air Fried Buffalo Tofu bites as a main course or a party appetizer!

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.

Air fryer buffalo tofu on a plate with celery and vegan ranch.
Serve your Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites with celery and vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing!

FAQ

Can I make the sauce without butter?

If you prefer to make an oil-free sauce, try this Vegan Buffalo Sauce from No Sweat Vegan.

Which Air Fryer should I buy?

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.

Which hot sauce should I use?

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 banana bites on a cutting board.
    Air Fried Bananas (Just 4 Ingredients!)
  • Air fryer fajita veggies in a bowl.
    Air Fryer Fajita Veggies
  • Air fryer broccolini on a plate with two forks.
    Air Fryer Broccolini (Ready in 10 minutes!)
  • Closeup of air fryer romanesco.
    Air Fryer Romanesco
Air fryer buffalo tofu recipe.

Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu

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!
4.72 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 152 kcal

Equipment

air fryer
mixing bowl
tongs

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
Prevent your screen from going dark

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

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.04gSodium: 1073mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 401IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Air fryer buffalo tofu
Tried this recipe?Mention @Air.Fryer.Veg or tag #airfryerveg!

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.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Air Fryer BBQ Jackfruit
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    Air Fryer Cubed Sweet Potatoes
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Comments

    4.72 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Leanne says

    August 15, 2023 at 1:20 am

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious. We’ll be making this again, maybe even tomorrow.
    Thanks for the awesome recipe.

    Reply
    • Julianne says

      August 21, 2023 at 3:16 pm

      Great! I'm so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  2. Carolyn Jones says

    September 06, 2023 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was so easy and delicious! I will definitely include it as a quick meal and just add sides. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Julianne says

      September 11, 2023 at 10:06 am

      Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it!

      Reply
Photo of Julianne.

Hi, I'm Julianne! I've been a dedicated home chef for over 20 years. I got my first air fryer in 2020, and I haven't looked back! Join me in my quest to air fry every vegan food under the sun!

You can also find me at NoSweatVegan.com.

More about me →

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