Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Buffalo Tofu is a delicious, spicy, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner or a flavorful snack. With a crunchy coating and tangy buffalo sauce, this tofu pairs beautifully with a Caesar salad or your favorite dipping sauce. It’s an easy recipe that you can make in an air fryer or oven for a healthier twist on classic Buffalo flavors.

Ingredients

• 16 ounce package of tofu (firm or extra firm)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)
• Salad with Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese dressing (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Wrap it in a clean dish towel or paper towels and gently press to remove excess moisture, about one minute.
2. Step 2: Tear the tofu into bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, toss the tofu with cornstarch, soy sauce, avocado oil, paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
3. Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Air fry the tofu for 8 minutes, then shake or toss it. Continue air frying for another 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. (To bake, spread tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 400°F for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.)
4. Step 4: While the tofu cooks, melt the butter in a small bowl and whisk it together with the hot sauce.
5. Step 5: Toss the crispy tofu in the buffalo sauce until well coated.
6. Step 6: Serve immediately on top of a Caesar salad or with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, use extra firm tofu and press out as much moisture as possible before cooking.
• Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the heat level to your taste.
• Try serving the buffalo tofu in wraps, bowls, or over kale and avocado for a nutritious meal.
• If baking, extend cooking time by a few minutes if your tofu is wetter, to get it crispy.

Storage

Store leftover buffalo tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the tofu from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

How spicy is this? Can my kids eat it?

The buffalo sauce has a moderate level of heat. For kids, you can set aside some tofu pieces without buffalo sauce so they can enjoy it with ranch or ketchup for dipping.

Can I make this in the oven instead of the air fryer?

Yes! Bake the tofu at 400°F for 20 minutes, making sure to toss it halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness.

Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 83 reviews

This Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad recipe features bite-sized tofu chunks coated in a flavorful cornstarch and spice mix, air-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a rich, spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect as a protein-packed topping for salads or wraps, this dish combines the crunchy texture of crispy tofu with the bold flavors of buffalo sauce for a delicious and healthy meal option.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crispy Tofu:

• 16 ounce package of firm or extra firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Buffalo Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)

For Serving:

• Salad with Caesar, ranch, or bleu cheese dressing (e.g., avocado kale Caesar salad)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Wrap it in a clean dish towel or a few paper towels and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture, about one minute.
2. Cut and Season: Pull the tofu into bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, toss the tofu pieces with cornstarch, soy sauce, avocado oil, paprika, and garlic powder ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
3. Air Fry Tofu: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated tofu pieces in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. Shake or toss to ensure even cooking, then air fry for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until tofu pieces turn golden brown and crispy.
4. Make Buffalo Sauce: While tofu is cooking, melt the butter in a small pan or microwave. Whisk the melted butter with the hot sauce until fully combined.
5. Toss Tofu in Sauce: Once tofu is crispy, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
6. Serve: Serve the crispy buffalo tofu over your favorite salad such as an avocado kale Caesar salad, or use it as a protein in wraps or bowls. Dip in ranch, blue cheese, or Caesar dressing as desired.

Notes

• To bake instead of air fry: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread coated tofu on the sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through for even crispiness.
• If using wetter tofu brands, air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes to achieve crispiness.
• For less spicy versions, reserve some tofu pieces before tossing in buffalo sauce to serve with ranch or ketchup for kids.

Keywords: tofu recipe, buffalo tofu, buffalo caesar, air fryer tofu