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- 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, pressed and drained - 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour) - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh celery sticks, for serving - Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for dipping (optional) Tofu is the star of this dish. Use firm tofu for the best texture. It holds its shape and absorbs flavors well. Press the tofu to remove water. This makes it crispy when cooked. The coating acts as a crunchy shell. All-purpose flour is common, but gluten-free options work too. The spices add depth. Garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika give great flavor. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Buffalo sauce adds the heat. You can buy it or make your own. Just mix hot sauce with melted butter or oil. This sauce is key for that classic buffalo taste. - Gluten-free flour options: You can swap regular flour with oat flour or almond flour. These gluten-free options work well and keep the bites crunchy. - Homemade buffalo sauce recipe: Combine ½ cup hot sauce, ¼ cup melted butter, and a dash of vinegar. Mix well for a zesty sauce. - Recommended sides: Serve with fresh celery sticks. They crunch nicely and cool the heat. You can also add carrot sticks for extra color. - Dipping sauces: Blue cheese dressing is traditional. Ranch dressing is a great choice too. Both add creaminess to balance the spicy tofu. First, slice the tofu into bite-sized cubes. Use firm tofu for the best texture. Next, press the tofu. This helps remove water. You can do this by placing the tofu between paper towels and putting a weight on top. Pressing is key. Dry tofu absorbs flavors better and gets crispier. In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients. Combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend. Then, take your tofu cubes and toss them gently in the flour mix. Ensure each piece is covered evenly. Shake off any extra flour to avoid clumps. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about five minutes. This step is crucial for crispy bites. Once preheated, drizzle olive oil over the coated tofu. Toss well to coat. Place the tofu in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through. This ensures even cooking. If you have more tofu, cook in batches. After cooking, transfer the tofu to a bowl and add buffalo sauce. Toss to coat, then return to the fryer for another 3-5 minutes. This helps the sauce crisp up slightly for extra flavor. To get that perfect crunch, oil the tofu well. Use about two tablespoons of olive oil. Make sure to toss the tofu cubes in oil until they are fully coated. This helps them crisp up in the air fryer. To avoid soggy tofu, start with firm tofu. Press it well to remove extra moisture. After cutting the tofu, pat it dry with a paper towel. This step is key to achieving that crispy texture. Marinating the tofu can add great taste. You can soak tofu in buffalo sauce for 30 minutes before cooking. This gives it an extra kick. Try adding some hot sauce or lemon juice for more zing. You can also experiment with seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika work well. Don’t be afraid to mix and match spices. A little cumin or chili powder can make a big difference. If your tofu is undercooked, just pop it back in the air fryer. Cook it for a few more minutes at 400°F. This will help it get crispy and hot. If you find your tofu is overcooked, don’t worry! You can rescue it by adding a little buffalo sauce. It adds moisture and flavor back into the tofu. {{image_2}} You can spice up your Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites in fun ways. For a fiery kick, add more hot sauce to your buffalo sauce. You can also mix in cayenne pepper or chipotle powder. This gives your bites a smoky, spicy flavor. If you prefer a sweet touch, try adding honey or brown sugar to the buffalo sauce. This creates a nice balance between heat and sweetness. You can also mix in a bit of maple syrup for a unique twist. If you want to switch it up, try using tempeh instead of tofu. Tempeh has a nutty flavor that works well with buffalo sauce. You can also use cauliflower florets. They provide a great bite and soak up the sauce nicely. Don’t forget to play with spices, too. Try adding cumin, chili powder, or even lemon zest for a fresh zing. These small changes can create a brand-new flavor experience. Make your Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites pop on the plate. Use a colorful platter to showcase them. Arrange celery sticks around the tofu bites for a nice contrast. You can also sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions on top for a fresh look. For dipping, offer both blue cheese and ranch dressing. These creamy options cool down the heat. You can even create a small dipping station with different sauces. This makes your snack fun and interactive. To store your Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites, you need the right container. Use an airtight container. This will keep the tofu fresh. Place the bites in a single layer if possible. If you stack them, add parchment paper between layers. This prevents sticking. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. Remember to let them cool before sealing. When it comes to reheating, I suggest the air fryer. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the tofu bites in the basket. Heat for about 5 to 7 minutes. This helps keep them crispy. You can also use an oven. Just set it to 350°F (175°C) and heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid using a microwave, as it can make them soggy. You can freeze your tofu bites if you have extra. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for about an hour. Once they are firm, transfer them to a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat frozen tofu bites, thaw them in the fridge overnight. After thawing, you can use the air fryer or oven to heat them up. Yes, this recipe is already vegan. The main ingredient is firm tofu, which is plant-based. You can use any store-bought buffalo sauce that is also vegan. Some brands have dairy, so check the label. If you want to make your own buffalo sauce, combine hot sauce with vegan butter. This keeps it 100% vegan and tasty! To avoid soggy tofu, press it well. Start with a block of firm tofu. Wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place something heavy on top. Let it sit for about 15-30 minutes. This helps remove extra moisture. After pressing, cut the tofu into small cubes and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is key for crispy bites! These tofu bites pair well with fresh celery sticks. They add a nice crunch and coolness. You can also serve them with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. For a full meal, try adding a side of salad or rice. These options balance the spicy flavor of the buffalo sauce. In this blog post, we covered the key ingredients for air fryer buffalo tofu bites, shared step-by-step instructions, and provided useful tips for success. You learned about achieving crispiness and enhancing flavor while exploring variations and storage methods. Buffalo tofu bites are a simple, tasty dish. I encourage you to try the options and make it your own. With the right techniques, you’ll serve a delicious meal that everyone will love. Enjoy your cooking journey!

Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites

Delight your taste buds with these Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu Bites! This easy recipe transforms firm tofu into crispy, flavorful bites tossed in zesty buffalo sauce. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they're quick to make and absolutely delicious. Follow our simple steps to create a healthy dish that everyone will love, and serve them with fresh celery and your favorite dipping sauce. Click through to discover this mouthwatering recipe!
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Ingredients
  

1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, pressed and drained

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Fresh celery sticks, for serving

Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for dipping (optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Tofu: Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

    Make the Coating: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

      Coat the Tofu: Toss the tofu cubes gently in the flour mixture until they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.

        Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

          Oil the Tofu: In a large bowl, drizzle the tofu cubes with olive oil and toss until they are well-coated.

            Air Fry the Tofu: Place the coated tofu bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to do this in batches. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.

              Add the Buffalo Sauce: Once the tofu is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the hot tofu and toss to coat evenly.

                Return to Air Fryer: Return the sauced tofu bites to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to slightly crisp up the sauce.

                  Serve Hot: Remove the tofu bites from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. Serve with celery sticks and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

                    Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4