Buffalo Tofu

Crispy Buffalo Tofu Nuggets are like hot wings for vegetarians. Made in the Air Fryer or with baked tofu nuggets drenched in Buffalo sauce, these are perfect in a salad, a wrap, or as a game day appetizer.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Buffalo Tofu, Tofu Wings

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 235kcal

Author Katie Trant

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

14 ounces firm tofu

FOR THE BATTER

¼ cup oat milk or other non-dairy milk
¼ cup flour
salt and pepper

FOR THE BREADING

¼ cup nutritional yeast
¼ cup panko bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons flour
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE BUFFALO SAUCE

½ cup Franks Red Hot sauce Or similar
3 Tablespoons salted butter

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS
Slice the tofu into half-inch thick slices, and then use your hands to tear those slices into nugget-sized pieces.
14 ounces firm tofu
Spread the tofu pieces out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, and pat them dry. Leave them there to dry a bit while you mix together the other ingredients.
In a large bowl whisk together the oat milk with the flour, and season with salt and pepper.
¼ cup oat milk or other non-dairy milk, ¼ cup flour, salt and pepper
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together nutritional yeast, panko bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons flour, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
¼ cup nutritional yeast, ¼ cup panko bread crumbs, 2 Tablespoons flour, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Place the tofu pieces in the bowl with the wet mixture, and gently stir to ensure they're all well coated.
Drop individual pieces of tofu into the breadcrumb mixture and toss to coat. Arrange the breaded tofu on a plate, and repeat with all remaining tofu.
AIR FRYER TOFU NUGGETS
Pre-heat your Air Fryer to 180°C / 350°F.
Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket, and lightly spray with oil.
Air Fry for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the pieces over, spray with oil again, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
OVEN BAKED TOFU NUGGETS
Pre-heat your oven to 200°C/400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the tofu nuggets in a single layer, and lightly spray with oil.
Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the pieces over, spray with oil again, and bake for another 5 minutes.

TO FINISH

Combine the hot sauce and butter in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat until the butter is melted.
½ cup Franks Red Hot sauce, 3 Tablespoons salted butter
Pour the Buffalo sauce over the tofu and toss to combine.
Serve hot, with celery and blue cheese sauce.

Notes

Nutrition values are an estimate only.
What's the best kind tofu for nuggets? I prefer to use firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe. Medium or soft tofu would likely fall apart as you toss with the breading or try and turn the nuggets. Firm tofu that has been frozen and then thawed and pressed has a great chewy texture and is also perfect for making nuggets.
Do I need to press tofu? Nope, not for this recipe! Simply slice, pat dry, and you're good to go.
Can I make this recipe in advance? Your tofu nuggets are always going to be the their crispiest and most glorious served directly out of the air fryer or oven, but you can certainly make them in advance. One option is to prepare the breaded tofu and then keep it in the fridge until you're ready to make your nugs. Another option is to make this tofu nugget recipe and then re-heat leftovers gently in the air fryer or oven.
Leftover Buffalo Tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about three days.

Nutrition