Vegan buffalo tofu wings are the perfect appetizer, game day snack, or comfort food. Covered in a crunchy panko bread crumb mixture and then tossed in a hot and spicy buffalo sauce, and baked to crispy perfection.
Not too long ago, a "non-vegan" friend told me about a vegan hot wings sandwich he tried at a local vegan restaurant. I gave in and decided to try it.
Yes, it was delicious. But, it also wasn't healthy. It was deep-fried and covered in a creamy dressing, which I'm sure was loaded with oil.
While I applauded his effort to try something vegan, I had to explain to him not all vegan recipes are healthy recipes (this is not the first time he's heard me talk bout this).
The goal is a whole foods plant-based diet. But at least he wasn’t eating chicken wings, right? It’s all about progress, not perfection.
Frustrated, he dared me to try and make the same buffalo tofu wings but healthier. Challenge accepted!
So, after a little trial and error and some “extensive” recipe testing, "Mission Accomplished."
These vegan buffalo tofu wings are covered in crunchy panko bread crumbs, baked to golden brown perfection, smothered in your favorite hot sauce mixture, and baked one final time.
The result? A healthy and delicious vegan appetizer, game day food, or party snack even the most ardent meat eater will love!
Crispy baked buffalo tofu wings
Is it possible to actually make crispy tofu without frying or using oil? Yes, and it's quite easy.
You need two things to make this happen: panko bread crumbs and really firm tofu with as much extra water removed as possible.
Ingredients you’ll need
This is an easy recipe and you only need a few simple ingredients to make these healthy and delicious vegan buffalo wings.
- Tofu: I opted for Super Firm Tofu because of its “meaty” texture and because it doesn’t need pressing. Extra firm tofu works very well, but you’ll need to press it to remove excess moisture.
- Plant Milk: Soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk are all great options.
- Bread Crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are the key to crispy baked tofu when cooking with no oil. Be sure to use a brand with no oil or eggs in the ingredients. My favorites are Whole Foods 365 Panko, Walmart’s brand, and Food Lion brand.
- Seasoning: I have found that just a bit of Italian seasoning adds just the right amount of flavor to the breadcrumb coating.
- Flour: Corn starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot flour are my favorites because they're light and help the tofu to crisp up very nicely. Whole wheat pastry flour and organic unbleached all-purpose flour are viable options as well.
- Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper are used to season your flour or starch.
- Buffalo Sauce: I love Frank's Red Hot Sauce! But feel free to use any vegan buffalo sauce you wish.
Hint: Try making your own hot sauce recipes. These recipes by Monkey & Me, This Healthy Kitchen, and Veggiekins are my personal faves.
How to make buffalo tofu wings
It's so easy to make crispy baked buffalo tofu wings.
- Preheat your oven to 420˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice tofu into 6 equal slices width-wise. Then slice each of those pieces lengthwise into 3 slices. You should end up with 18 tofu sticks.
- Set out three separate bowls. To the first bowl, add the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper and mix them together. Pour the milk into the second small bowl. To the third small bowl, add the panko bread crumbs and Italian seasoning and gently toss.
- Take each piece of tofu and coat in the flour, then the milk, and finally coat in the panko bread crumbs. Place each breaded tofu stick onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat until finished.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. The tofu wings will be a light golden brown.
- Remove the tofu wings and add them to a large mixing bowl; pour the buffalo sauce over the baked tofu wings and gently toss until all of the tofu wings are covered.
- Place the tofu back onto the baking sheet, return to the oven, and cook tofu for 20 more minutes.
Serve these bad boys with celery sticks and vegan ranch dressing or vegan blue cheese dressing.
What's the best way to press tofu?
Pressing tofu is very simple. The easiest and simplest way is to buy a tofu press. But you can also press tofu using things you have around the house. Let me show you how:
- Wrap the block of tofu in paper towels, a clean kitchen towel, or a dish towel.
- Place the wrapped tofu on a plate or cutting board. Then, set another plate on top with a heavy object on it (canned beans, cookbooks, etc.). Cast iron skillets make an excellent tofu press.
- Let the tofu sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the wrapping from the tofu and make your wings.
Can I make these in my air fryer?
An air fryer is a great way to make tofu buffalo wings and really help to get you that crispy exterior! Here's all you have to do:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F and follow the instructions as written up until it's time to bake.
- Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper as instructed by the owner's manual.
- Add the tofu and bake for 7-8 minutes. Flip the tofu and cook for 7-8 more minutes.
- Place the cooked tofu into a large mixing bowl and gently toss in the buffalo sauce. Then place the tofu back into the air fryer and cook for 4-5 minutes.
Top Tips
Follow these tips and suggestions for making the best vegan buffalo tofu wings.
- Super firm tofu is the BEST tofu to use. It's vacuumed sealed and requires no pressing.
- Be sure to season your tofu with the ingredients listed or other spices you prefer. Tofu is a flavor adapter, so not seasoning it would leave it really bland.
- Try adding some vegan parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs for an extra depth of flavor.
- For a "meatier" texture, place your tofu in a freezer-safe container and freeze it. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then slice it into width-wise slabs.
- Cut the tofu into small pieces and make buffalo tofu nuggets or crispy buffalo tofu bites. These are great for topping salads and make excellent party food.
- Buffalo tofu wings are a great sandwich filling. Toast some whole grain bread, a little lettuce, and tomato, stack your vegan wings high, then cover them with some vegan ranch dressing or vegan parmesan mayo for one amazing sandwich.
- If buffalo sauce is too spicy for your taste, try some different medium-heat sauces or my DIY Barbecue Sauce.
- Use any leftover buffalo sauce to baste your tofu as it comes out of the oven. Oh, baby!
Buffalo Tofu Wings FAQ
Yes! You can use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
Place these leftovers in an airtight container and store them in your fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Make it is pressed and the excess moisture has been removed. Depending on your appliance you may have to bake it a little longer.
Tofu is a flavor adapter, so not seasoning it would leave it really bland.
More vegan appetizer recipes
We love having these wings for dinner with a big side of my vinegar coleslaw. The heat and coolness are a match made in heaven. But, if you’re looking for other party foods check out these delicious dishes:
- Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese
- Easy Vegan Queso
- Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- The Best Vegan Seven Layer Dip
These tofu wings are AWESOME! My husband loves them, and they've become a staple when I prep meals for the week. Thanks, Shane!
– Lorraine
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you make these crispy baked buffalo tofu wings, please leave a comment below with a star rating. Share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!
Vegan Buffalo Tofu Wings (Baked & Crispy)
Vegan buffalo tofu wings are the perfect appetizer, game day snack, or comfort food. Tofu slices covered in a crunchy panko bread crumb mixture, tossed in a hot and spicy buffalo sauce and baked to crispy perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Cook Time: 45 mins.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 18 wings 1x
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 16–ounce pack of super firm tofu
- 1 cup of unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ cup corn starch, arrowroot flour, or tapioca flour
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce or favorite vegan buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 420˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice tofu into 6 equal slices width-wise. Then slice each of those pieces lengthwise into 3 slices. You should end up with 18 tofu sticks.
- Set out three separate bowls. To the first bowl, add the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper and mix them together. Pour the milk into the second small bowl. To the third small bowl, add the panko bread crumbs and Italian seasoning and gently toss.
- Take each piece of tofu and coat it in flour, then the milk, and finally coat it in the panko bread crumbs. Place each breaded tofu stick onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat until finished.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. The tofu wings will be a light golden brown.
- Remove the tofu wings and add them to a large mixing bowl; pour the buffalo sauce over the baked tofu wings and gently toss until all of the tofu wings are covered.
- Place the tofu back onto the baking sheet, return to the oven, and cook tofu for 20 more minutes.
- Serve with celery stick and vegan ranch dressing to vegan blue cheese dressing.
Notes
Super firm tofu is the BEST tofu to use. It’s vacuumed sealed and requires no pressing.
Be sure and season your tofu with the ingredients listed or other spices you might prefer. Tofu is a flavor adapter so not seasoning would leave it really bland.
Try adding some vegan parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs for an extra depth of flavor.
Cut the tofu into small pieces and make buffalo tofu nuggets or crispy buffalo tofu bites. These are excellent for topping salads and make great party food.
Buffalo tofu wings are a great sandwich filling. Toast some whole grain bread, a little lettuce, and tomato, stack your vegan wings high, then cover it with some vegan ranch dressing for one amazing sandwich.
If buffalo sauce is too spicy for your taste try some different sauces like my DIY Barbecue Sauce.
Use any leftover buffalo sauce to baste your tofu as it comes out of the oven. Oh, baby!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Wings
- Calories: 172
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 450.7 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.4 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 10.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Can u use an air fryer?
For sure.
My son said this is AMAZING! He said, “These are the BEST Buffalo wings ever!”
Delicious! These were a hit at dinner and we can’t wait to have the leftovers for lunch. Added one tablespoon of melted vegan butter and one tablespoon of syrup to the red hot before tossing and served with coleslaw and vegan ranch dressing. Thank you for the awesome recipe!
These were absolutely delicious and surprisingly easy to make! The corn starch, almond milk, and bread crumb coating was perfect to create a delicious crispy coating. I actually airfried mine for 20 mins instead of baking followed by 5-10 mins in the oven after tossing with the sauce and I think they came out beautifully. The tofu is so perfectly chewy, almost similar to a storebought veggie “chicken” nugget, and that was just with using extra firm tofu since I couldn’t find super firm. Will definitely be making these again!!
Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing this with me.
SO GOOD!! I made these and it was my very first time trying tofu. I wanted to try something that would be along the lines of a more vegetarian snack to ease myself into becoming vegetarian and I absolutely loved it. Buffalo chicken wings in blue cheese are one of my favorite foods and now I know I don’t have to give up the combo when I eventually go for a vegetarian diet. Even my 13 year old sister, who is an extremely picky eater, LOVED it plain with ranch dressing. Would 100% recommend trying this recipe.
Wow, that’s so great, Lydia! Thanks so much for reaching out.
I finally overcame my tofu phobia (tofubia?) by making this awesome recipe! I did make a minor modification and used coarse cornmeal instead of panko. The result was crunchy awesomeness! I served with your vegan ranch recipe. Thanks so much for a new go-to recipe!
Awesome!
SO GOOD!! Used extra firm tofu, and opted to use cornstarch. I accidentally came out with only 12 pieces (because, apparently I don’t follow directions well) but all was fine in the end :-). These certainly hit the spot and, like another reviewer said, ain’t no chance there are left overs! These will be in the weekly rotation for sure and I plan to make them in all their forms; nuggets, southern sandwich (with pickles) and any other way that satisfies my need for buffalo sauce :-). Thank you, Shane, for another delicious, healthy recipe! My hubby and I appreciate you!!
These are amazing! So crispy and delicious, I will definitely make them again. It is very easy, I actually used the air fryer to cook them. Thank you Shane for your delicious recipes!
Awesome and thank you so much!
Also works well with cauliflorer florets
Just watching the European soccer championship while munching these- awesome is too weak an expression for how good they are. And so easy to make. They will certainly become something that we will make, more often – like many of your recipes.
Thanks so much!
Loved these! Looked just like your picture of them, nice and crispy and spicy🔥. Delicious, like so many of the recipes you share. Thank you!!!
Before I rave about these in my FB Plant Pure Pod, I have to tell you Shane that these are fantastic!!! I made your Ranch dressing yesterday which led me to this recipe. Both are insane. I have never had a wing from a chicken in my life but I’ve had cauliflower wings in vegan restaurants & didn’t care for the buffalo sauce. So I did mix hot sauce w/ a homemade BBQ sauce & it was so delicious! I used both frozen/thawed tofu and cauliflower florets & both turned out perfect. Crispy w/ a perfect crunch. Amazing dipped in the ranch dressing, which is thick like a dip. These 2 are a perfect match. I took half of the Ranch & just added a few more Tbl of soy milk to make it a dressing consistency for salads. I also did 1/2 C cashews & 1 C Northern beans. I recommend everyone checking this recipe out to make it immediately! Thanks as always for your amazing kitchen talent! Laura
Wow, Laura! Thank you so much for the kind words as well as the additions and modifications. LOVE seeing these.
AMAZING!! The Tofu Buffalo Wings were so delicious. My whole family enjoyed them. I believe I will be making these for multiple occasions. Thank you Shane!
So freakin’ perfect! Thanks so much, awesome recipe!
These were great! I tossed them in a Korean Gojuchang hot sauce. When they were ready I topped with toasted sesame seeds, scallions, and spritz of lemon! Can’t wait to experiment with different sauces. Thanks!
These were nice and crispy and delicious!
We have made these a handful of times and love them, but there is on issue I keep having. When I take the wings out of the oven to toss with hot sauce, the breading always falls right off. So we end up with half-breaded, sad tofu wings. I’m using the vaccuum-sealed, extra firm tofu, so I know it isn’t an issue of excess moisture. Any tips on making sure the breading stays on when I toss with sauce?
Hi, Liz! I would suggest maybe letting them cook a little longer before adding the sauce. And, instead of tossing them, try just pouring the sauce on top and lightly brushing. Hope this helps.
Great recipe! I used GF cornstarch and panko and the air fryer. After his first bite, my husband said that nobody would believe me if I told them this was tofu.
Really yummy! Used previously frozen, extra firm tofu, after tofu press. I made pieces half this size. Getting the right Buffalo sauce, of course, is very important.
Didn’t understand the instructions about leftovers. There is No Way there are leftovers
Haha, nice on the leftovers:)
I’ve gone vegetarian for some health issues and have NEVER used tofu. These buffalo wings were so delicious and simple. My meat eating husband didn’t even realize what he was trying. You’ve changed my mind about this ingredient. So happy I stumbled upon this recipe.
Thank you!
Shane,I have some leftover seitan—can I use stripsof that in place of the tofu?
Go for it!
Love this recipe! I used frozen thawed extra firm tofu second time around. The texture was a game changer!! Thanks so much for sharing your recipes!!
Barb, that’s so awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Delicious! We so enjoyed these. I’m so proud because they came out looking just like the ones in the picture. Served your vinegar coleslaw on the side.
These tofu wings are AWESOME! My husband loves them and they’ve become a staple when I do meal prep for the week. Thanks Shane!
My pleasure and so glad y’all are enjoying them.
Peace,
shane
I’ve made them numerous times and they are delicious! This time I didn’t put them in the Franks Hot Sauce – I baked them in the oven until crispy and then used them for the wings to play a HotOne game (following the the YouTube Game show). We had 10 sauces and brushed alittle on each wing (each sauce being hotter than the previous). It was a great fun to play with the family and the meat eaters loved using the Tofu Wings too! Thanks Shane!
Awesome! I used Costco super-firm tofu. We loved the firm texture and how well they held up. My husband loves spicy buffalo sauce, but I prefer a little less heat. We used leftovers for buffalo “chicken” sandwiches. I’m going to make a batch or two of these PLAIN and try freezing them so that they can be sauced differently a few at a time. Maybe marinara or barbecue sauce . . . Ooh, maybe serve them under a pile of pasta with marinara sauce as a kind of “tofu parmesan” or just plain with honey-mustard dipping sauce. Thank you for this awesome recipe.
I was a little skeptical about this recipe and the tofu wings would turn out because in real life I my food never looks or tastes as good as in the picture…until today! They looked as perfect as in the picture and tasted even better. Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe!
Made these tonight and they were delicious. I am not vegan but was looking for a recipe to use up a block of tofu in my fridge. I kept the sauce on the side and dipped them instead. They were crispy and so good. Will definitely make again.
Awesome! Thank you, Lynne!
These are amazing. I made them last night and couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Thank you for sharing all these oil free recipes. As someone who never really fried their foods, I still found myself using quite a bit of oil at times, this is something I am looking to cut back on. Your sire will be a much needed crutch on this journey,
Thank you so much, Melissa!
Wonderful recipe !!!!
I made them tonight and they were absolutely delicious! They came out crispy as expected. I dipped in the Blue Cheese Dressing. Wonderful!
These were very good and since I am from Buffalo, it is against Buffalo rules to dip wings (and Buffalo Tofu) into ranch. It must be blue cheese. LOL – Thanks again for another great recipe Shane.
Made these today and paired them with the vegan ranch. Just amazing! Loved them <3
These were amazing Shane!!! Thanks so much. I used the air fryer option.
Do you think these could be frozen after cooking? I want to batch cook a bunch of these if possible!
This was crazy good! My husband said it even quenched his craving for fried chicken!! I probably wouldn’t have tried it but I have come to trust your recipes. Many of them have become regulars in our house. Thank you so much for providing so many delicious WFPB recipes.
Made this for dinner last night hoping I wasn’t wasting my time. Had made some cauliflower wings about six months ago and we could barely finish them (didn’t like the flavor). Well, these were absolutely delicious! My husband and I couldn’t stop commenting on how good they were and that they were definitely going into the rotation. Served them with raw carrots and celery and Shane’s vegan ranch dressing (which was five stars also). Mind you I rarely go above four stars on any recipe.
Baked these last night. They’re fantastic. I want them again right now.
Wow! Thanks so much, Shellie!
Vegan buffalo tofu wings are the perfect appetizer, game day snack, or comfort food. Covered in a crunchy panko bread crumb mixture then tossed in a hot and spicy buffalo sauce, they’re baked to crispy perfection and completely oil-free.
Can this be made in an air-fryer? I have a toaster oven/air fryer (not the basket type).
Yes, absolutely. There’s a section in the post that talks about an air fryer option.