Crispy Buffalo Tofu with Caesar Salad Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Toss Tofu in Sauce: Once tofu is crispy, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- 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
