What's the best way to make tofu crispy?

Coat nuggets of tofu in a wet batter (like a bit of cornstarch and water) then in a cornstarch. Dust off excess cornstarch. Spray with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil. Baking in a 425F oven for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, will create a crispy exterior. For faster cook time, and a crispier exterior, cook in an air fryer at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

What kind of tofu should I use for crispy tofu?

Use extra-firm tofu to get the crispiest exterior and nuggets that will hold together during cooking. You can use firm tofu but don't use silken as it will fall apart.

How do I make homemade buffalo sauce?

Buffalo sauce is made by whisking together hot sauce with fat and seasoning. Authentic buffalo sauce is often made with equal parts Frank's RedHot sauce and melted butter. You can make a vegan option by using melted coconut oil, vegan butter or a vegetable oil instead of butter.

Crispy Buffalo Tofu - The Real Recipes

Name: Crispy Buffalo Tofu
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (14-16 oz.) block extra-firm tofu; 8 Tbsp. cornstarch, divided; 2 Tbsp. water; 6 Tbsp. hot sauce, divided (more as desired); 1 tsp. garlic powder, divided; 4 Tbsp. melted coconut oil; 2 tsp. lemon juice; celery sticks, as desired

Description

This Crispy Buffalo Tofu recipe is mouthwateringly delicious, super simple and a crowd-pleaser. Best of all, it's vegan and gluten-free, so just about all allergies or dietary restrictions are covered, but even meat eaters will love these crispy and saucy tofu nuggets

Ingredients

Scale

1 (14-16 oz.) block extra-firm tofu
8 Tbsp. cornstarch, divided
2 Tbsp. water
6 Tbsp. hot sauce, divided (more as desired)
1 tsp. garlic powder, divided
4 Tbsp. melted coconut oil
2 tsp. lemon juice
celery sticks, as desired

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Instructions

To bake in the oven, preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. To air fry, preheat an air fryer to 375°F.
Wrap tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and place between two plates. Add a small weight, like a can of beans, to the top plate to press the tofu. Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes. Then tear the tofu into small pieces, about 1-inch thick. You want to have uneven tofu nuggets to create nooks and crannies.
Place 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch in a medium bowl and whisk in the water and 1 tablespoon of the hot sauce. In a separate bowl (or zip top bag) add remaining 6 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic powder. Toss well to combine. Add the tofu to the cornstarch and water mixture and toss until well coated. Soak in the mixture for 1 minute or up to 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the tofu nuggets and transfer to the bowl or bag with remaining cornstarch. Toss well to combine, ensuring the tofu pieces don't stick together.
Transfer the tofu to the prepared baking sheet or the air fryer basket. Lightly coat with cooking spry or brush with a bit of the melted coconut oil. Bake until crispy, about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Or air fry for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
While the tofu cooks, make the sauce by whisking together in a large mixing bowl the remaining 5 tablespoons hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and the coconut oil and lemon juice. When the tofu is finished cooking, whisk the sauce one final time and add the tofu to the bowl with the sauce. Toss to coat the tofu in the sauce. Serve immediately with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, or our Easy Sour Cream and Chive Dip. Serve with celery and hot sauce, as desired.

Notes

Store leftover buffalo tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The tofu will no longer be crispy but will still taste great.
You can make the recipe ahead by cooking the tofu but not tossing in the sauce. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat before tossing in the sauce.
Serve crispy tofu nuggets with a sauce and celery for authentic buffalo wing flavors, or add to corn tortilla and shredded lettuce for a delicious taco.

Prep Time: 20 min.
Cook Time: 15 min.
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking/Air Frying
Cuisine: American