This vegan bang bang tofu recipe cooks in the air fryer in under 30 minutes. The combination of the sweet and spicy sauce with crispy tofu bites cannot be matched!
Tofu is like a chameleon. It can take on so many different forms and flavors. And this look is one of my favorites: extra crispy tofu nuggets with sweet and spicy bang bang sauce.
When you rip a block of firm tofu into bite-sized chunks you get extra surface area to crisp up and hold sauce. Using the air fryer means it cooks super fast too.
And the sauce! This sauce was love at first taste. What really makes it for me is the combination of sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and tofu mayo. They balance each other out, so you keep going back for more.
When you break it down, this vegan bang bang tofu recipe is so simple. But, when you serve it over arugula salad and garnish it with sliced green onions it feels restaurant-worthy.
Ingredient Notes
You will need these simple ingredients to make bang bang tofu:
Crispy Tofu
Both extra firm or firm tofu work great! You don't need to press it beforehand, just squeeze out extra moisture and rip it into pieces like BBQ tofu bites or nutritional yeast tofu nuggets.
A combination of sriracha and seasonings give the tofu even more flavor, before you even get to the sauce. I like to use a combination of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Vegan Bang Bang Sauce
You can use store bought vegan mayo or make your own silken tofu mayo for some extra protein.
There is even more sriracha in the sauce to add some heat. You can adjust the amount based on your preference.
The recipe card below includes the full list of ingredients + instructions.
How to Make Bang Bang Tofu
- Rip tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk wet rub ingredients.
- Coat tofu with wet rub.
- Add tofu to air fryer.
- Air fry tofu until crispy.
- Whisk bang bang sauce.
- Drizzle tofu with bang bang sauce and enjoy!
Serving Ideas
Serve vegan bang bang tofu on skewers for a handheld appetizer without the mess! It's always a hit at parties along with cauliflower ceviche, chickpea chips, and vegan pinwheels.
To make it a meal, add a base of rice and your favorite greens. I also love to add it to wraps with vegan flour tortillas, black beans, and chopped tomato.
Another tasty option is to serve bang bang tofu with ramen noodles or pasta. With extra sauce, of course!
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Bang Bang Tofu
Equipment
- air fryer or oven
Ingredients
Crispy Tofu
- 14-18 ounces extra firm tofu see notes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegan Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup vegan tofu mayo or store-bought vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon sriracha
Directions
- Wrap 14-18 ounces extra firm tofu in a clean kitchen towel and gently wring out the block. You don't need to fully press it, just remove most of the excess water.
- Rip the block of tofu into bite sized pieces.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to a small bowl. Whisk together to make a wet rub.
- Pour the wet rub over the tofu and toss to coat. Make sure the seasoning is evenly distributed across all the pieces.
- Place the tofu bites in an air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. Make sure none are overlapping, leaving a little space between the pieces. If needed, air fry in two separate batches.
- Air fryer at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes. You do not need to flip the tofu.
- While the tofu is cooking, mix ½ cup vegan tofu mayo, 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar, and 2 teaspoon sriracha in a small bowl to make the bang bang sauce.
- Once the tofu is finished cooking, drizzle it with bang bang sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions, and enjoy!
Notes
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* The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy will vary on specific ingredients and brands used.
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