Buffalo Tofu

My love for all things buffalo sauce runs deep! I’ve made everything from buffalo cauliflower to buffalo tempeh “wings”, and now we have crispy, crunchy, delicious buffalo tofu. These vegan nuggets might just be my favorite way to enjoy tofu! We love them served with crisp celery sticks and my vegan ranch or a blue cheese dressing for dipping! 

The first time I tested this recipe I was pleasantly surprised by just how perfect these turned out. Whether baked or fried, these bites cook up tender on the inside, crispy on the outside and have the most wonderful flavor. Buffalo tofu is a great vegan appetizer to serve for holiday gatherings, potlucks and game day! 

How to make this recipe

Follow the instructions below and you’ll have a delicious, zesty plant based protein to enjoy as an appetizer, snack, or main course.  

Please see the recipe card for the full, printable recipe with all of the details.

1. Prep tofu. Break the tofu into nugget-sized chunks and place in a shallow container. Cover with the buffalo sauce. Toss to full cover in the sauce and place in the refrigerator to marinate for an hour (or even overnight).
2. Coat in breading. Place the Panko in a shallow bowl and the cornstarch in a separate shallow bowl. One piece at a time, remove the chunks of tofu from the buffalo sauce and cover in cornstarch. Dip it back in the buffalo sauce to coat and then toss to cover in the Panko breadcrumbs.
3. To bake. Preheat the oven and place the tofu pieces on the prepared baking sheet and spritz the top with cooking oil spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway. They’re done when they’re golden brown on each side
4. To fry. Heat 1 inch of neutral oil in a large heavy skillet and place the tofu pieces carefully into the HOT oil and fry on each side until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
5. Serve and enjoy! Feel free to lightly brush a little bit of extra buffalo sauce onto the buffalo tofu bites and then serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

Tips for the best results

Follow the suggestions below for perfect tofu nuggets every time!

• The key to extra crispy tofu is using either firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe. These options of tofu have most of the water pressed out, so they are less delicate and will be chewier when cooked.
• Make sure that your tofu pieces are all about the same size, so that they’ll cook at the same rate.
• If you’re sensitive to spice, be sure to grab a buffalo sauce that is labeled “mild”.

Serving options

Not only is this buffalo tofu great served as a meal option with a few sides, it’s super versatile and can be enjoyed a variety of ways. The possibilities are endless! Here’s some ideas:

• Serve it as an appetizer for game day and parties.
• Use it as a topping over a salad.
• Roll a few nuggets in a wrap with veggies and ranch sauce.  
• These nuggets also make a tasty sandwich filling. Toast some of your favorite bread, add lettuce, tomato, buffalo tofu, then drizzle on some vegan ranch dressing for one epic lunch!

Storing leftovers

These nuggets are best served fresh, and honestly, you probably won’t have any leftovers anyway. They’re that good! But, if you do, simply place them in an airtight container and store in your fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or in an air fryer.