Vegan Buffalo Tofu Poppers are next-level delicious and actually super simple to make. These remind me of spicy boneless wings but they’re healthy, 100% plant-based, and gluten-free optional. Perfect for a party appetizer, game day food, or a dinner side dish. Try Vegan Air-Fried Tofu Nuggets, Vegan Deviled Eggs, and Vegan Pineapple Teriyaki Tofu next!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Spice Level Optional: You can totally customize the spice level of Vegan Buffalo Tofu Poppers when you make them at home! You can even use BBQ sauce to omit the buffalo entirely for no spice.
- Meat-Free Buffalo Wings: These plant-based buffalo poppers are free of meat but you’d never guess it–they’re just as spicy, flavorful, and satisfying.
- Healthier Game Day Food: Usually gameday food is deep-fried, and very oil and dairy heavy. Instead, switch it up and make these better-for-you Buffalo Tofu Poppers that have all the flavor without the junk.
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Notes on Ingredients
- Tofu: Use a block of extra-firm or “high-protein” tofu.
- Chickpea Flour: Can sub whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour.
- Hot Sauce: Add more or less hot sauce depending on your desired spice level.
- Breadcrumbs: Use whichever you like. I like the Kooshy sourdough breadcrumbs but feel free to use gluten-free or whole-wheat breadcrumbs if needed.
Please take note that this is important information about the ingredients used in this recipe and the FULL recipe with measurements and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
How do you make Vegan Buffalo Tofu Poppers?
- Preheat the air-fryer to 350F. (See recipe card for oven instructions)
- Break tofu into 2-inch bite size pieces.
- Prepare the batter in a bowl by mixing flour and water.
- Add the breadcrumbs to a small plate.
- Dip each piece of the tofu in the batter first, then roll it in the bread crumbs. Repeat this process until you’ve coated all of the tofu pieces. Add them to the air-fryer basket.
- Air-fry for 12 minutes until golden brown. While they cook, mix the maple syrup with the hot sauce.
- Add the tofu poppers into a bowl. Add the hot sauce on top and gently toss.
- Serve alongside dairy-free ranch, sour cream, or your dip of choice. Garnish with cilantro! Enjoy!
- Step 1: First, preheat the air-fryer to 350F and rip tofu into pieces.
- Step 2: Then, mix the batter (flour and water) in a bowl and add breacrumbs to a plate.
- Step 3: Dip each tofu cube into batter first then breadcrumbs. Air-fry for 12 minutes until golden.
- Step 4: Next, mix maple syrup and hot sauce. Toss the poppers in the hot sauce mixture.
- Step 5: Serve with vegan cashew sour cream or ranch.
- Step 6: Lastly, garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy!
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Commonly Asked Questions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven for a couple minutes before eating to let them recrisp.
I used homemade cashew sour cream but feel free to use vegan ranch (like this homemade vegan ranch I make) or store-bought sauce.
Sure! Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the tofu bites to it. Bake in the oven at 450F for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
“OOO-WEEE that’s good stuff! I love the spicey sauce, my wife prefers the teriyaki sauce. Definite keeper and will use for my upcoming housewarming to wow my non-vegan friends!”
– Janette
Extra Helpful Tips
- If the batter is too thick with just ½ cup of water, then add another ¼ of water to thin it out.
- Use any bread crumbs you like. Gluten-free, whole-wheat, etc. will work. I like the sourdough breadcrumbs by Kooshy.
- If you bake these in the oven, they take ~30 minutes. In the air-fryer, they take ~12 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro for freshness, brightness and color!
If you tried these Vegan Buffalo Tofu Poppers or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 5-star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Vegan Buffalo Tofu Poppers (air-fryer!)
Ingredients
- 1 block tofu extra-firm
- ½ cup chickpea flour sub whole wheat flour
- ½ cup water add another ¼ cup if it’s too thick
- ½ cup hot sauce add more/less depending on spice preference
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 cups breadcrumbs of choice
- Cilantro fresh garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air-fryer to 350F. If using the oven instead, preheat it to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Break tofu into 2-inch bite size pieces.
- Prepare the batter in a bowl by mixing flour and water.
- Add the breadcrumbs to a small plate.
- Dip each piece of the tofu in the batter first, then roll it in the bread crumbs. Set aside (on the oven baking sheet or in the air-fryer basket). Repeat this process until you’ve coated all of the tofu pieces.
- Air-fry for 12 minutes or oven bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. While they cook, mix the maple syrup with the hot sauce.
- Add the tofu poppers into a bowl. Add the hot sauce on top and gently toss.
- Serve alongside dairy-free ranch, sour cream, or your dip of choice. Garnish with cilantro! Enjoy!
Notes
- If the batter is too thick with just ½ cup of water, then add another ¼ of water to thin it out.
- Use any bread crumbs you like. Gluten-free, whole-wheat, etc. will work. I like the sourdough breadcrumbs by Kooshy.
- If you bake these in the oven, they take ~30 minutes. In the air-fryer, they take ~12 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro for freshness, brightness and color!
Shellie says
These are fantastic. I didn’t have maple syrup so I used coconut syrup. Delicious!
Vilma says
Do you have to prepare the tofu somehow before you break it?
Danielle Keith says
get super firm tofu or high protein tofu so it comes very hard. If you can only find firm, press it in advance.
abdul says
These are fantastic recipes and i love them to make a home
JANETTE SKARDA says
OOO-WEEE that’s good stuff! I love the spicey sauce, my wife prefers the teriyaki sauce. Definite keeper and will use for my upcoming housewarming to wow my non-vegan friends!
Andrew says
These are banging! Thank you
Cheryl Jarrell says
Can you use any flour to replace the whole wheat or chickpea?
Jordan Stacy says
Hi Cheryl! Jordan from the HealthyGirl team here. It depends on what flour you are thinking of. For example, almond or coconut flour would not work, but a gluten-free all-purpose flour would work fine. Let me know if you have a specific flour in mind!