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air-fryer buffalo tofu on a serving tray with ranch, carrot sticks, and celery sticks, topped with sliced scallions

Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu (Easy)

Crispy air fryer buffalo tofu ready in 35 minutes — no breading, no fuss. Toss in store-bought or homemade buffalo sauce and serve with ranch and celery.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Tofu Pressing Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Sarah Sullivan

Video

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 (14 or 16 ounce) block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch
  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce store-bought, or use recipe below

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

  • 1 cup hot pepper sauce e.g. Frank's, Crystal, Louisiana
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar or sweetener of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons vegan butter cold

To Serve

  • celery and carrot sticks
  • vegan ranch try my recipe (linked in the Notes)!
  • vegan blue cheese dressing

Instructions

Make the Air Fryer Tofu

  • Note: I like to freeze and defrost a block of tofu ahead of time. This gives it an extra chew. But it's totally optional.
  • Prep tofu. Press your tofu for about 15 minutes to remove extra moisture. (This will help it crisp faster.) Then tear it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Season tofu. Add the tofu pieces to a bowl. Drizzle with oil, then season with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, paprika, and nutritional yeast. Toss or stir the tofu to coat with the spices and oil. Then sprinkle on 2 tablespoons starch of choice and toss to coat.
  • Air fry. Add the tofu in one layer to your air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. (It will depend on your machine.) Shake the basket every 5 or so minutes to keep the pieces from sticking together, and so that it cooks evenly. I like to overcook my tofu a little for this recipe so it doesn't get too soggy when tossed with the buffalo sauce.

Make the Buffalo Sauce

  • Season buffalo sauce. In a sauce pot, whisk together hot pepper sauce of choice along with brown sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat over medium low.
  • Add in butter. Just when it begins to bubble, lower the heat and add in cold butter in pieces. Stir constantly to emulsify the butter into the hot sauce.
  • Sauce up the tofu. This makes extra sauce, so remove all but about 1/2 cup to a jar for later. Then add in your crispy air fried tofu and toss to coat.
    1/2 cup buffalo sauce
  • Enjoy right away with vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery.

Notes

  • Try my recipe for Vegan Ranch! It's easy to make and absolutely delish.

The nutrition information provided on Sarah’s Vegan Kitchen is an estimate and is offered for general informational purposes only. Values will vary depending on the specific brands and amounts used.