This easy Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich is crispy on the outside yet so tender and juicy on the inside! Double battered tofu slabs are air-fried to perfection and then slathered with savory buffalo sauce. Everyone will love these spicy, saucy, high-protein sandwiches!
These vegan buffalo chicken sandwiches make for a perfect family meal because they are incredibly easy to make and so delicious!
Simply slice a tofu block into four slabs, dip them into batter and breading, and then pop them into the air fryer!
Then, slather vegan buffalo sauce over the patties before assembling them into scrumptious sandwiches.
I like to freeze my tofu the night before then defrost it in the microwave before making it. This creates a porous yet dense texture that’s perfect for chicken replacement.
Be sure to check out my Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip for more of this irresistible spicy flavor!
Reasons To Love This Recipe
- Very filling
- Easy to make
- High in protein
- Dairy-free and vegan
- Great for game days or parties
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Tofu - An extra firm block of tofu has the best texture for this recipe and holds up well during the breading process.
- Plant-Based Milk - Any kind helps create a thick, creamy breading.
- Hot Sauce - Use a vegan friendly hot sauce like Frank’s Red Hot for buffalo flavor in the marinade.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - Adds a tangy flavor and works with the plant milk to aerate the wet batter.
- Bouillon - Adds extra flavor to the marinade. No-chicken flavor is best but vegetable works too. I really like the one made by Better Than Bouillon and one small jar lasts a long time.
- Flour - All purpose flour or a gluten-free replacement makes a crispy breading.
- Cornstarch - Use cornstarch for an extra crunchy bite.
- Seasoning- A combination of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, and poultry seasoning adds tons of flavor.
- Buffalo Sauce - I use a store-bought vegan buffalo sauce to coat the tofu patties. You can also make your own with equal parts vegan butter to hot sauce.
- Buns - Look for brioche, rolls, or burger buns that are vegan friendly.
- Optional Toppings - Use any of your favorites such as pickles, lettuce, green onions, vegan ranch dressing, vegan mayo, or even vegan blue cheese.
How to Make A Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Here are some quick visual steps. Find the full recipe with exact measurements on the recipe card below.
Freeze the tofu, if you have time, for a meaty texture that will absorb the marinade well. Simply keep it in its original packaging and freeze it for about 4 hours or overnight.
Thaw the tofu in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
Drain the liquid from the tofu and then press it for 15 minutes. I do this by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and then placing something heavy on it such as a cast iron pan.
Slice the tofu into 4 slabs and place them in a single layer in a large shallow dish such as a casserole dish.
Mix the marinade ingredients together and pour it over the tofu. Flip them over and let the tofu soak it up for 15 minutes. Flip them back over halfway through.
Stir together the dry batter ingredients in a wide, shallow bowl.
Shake off the excess marinade from the tofu, and place it in the dry breading. Pat the dry breading into the tofu and then repeat this process so that there are two layers of breading.
Cook them in the air fryer or pan fry them. I prefer the air fryer because I find it to be easier, less messy, and the batter stays on better.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 375°F and spray the basket with cooking oil. Add the tofu patties and then spray the tops with more oil.
- Cook the tofu for 20 minutes. Flip them halfway through and lightly spray them again. The tofu patties are ready when they are lightly browned.
Pan Fry Instructions
- Heat ½ inch of cooking oil in a large cast iron or nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. We want the oil to come to about 350°F or until you get a sizzle when dropping some batter into it.
- Fry the tofu for 3-4 mins on each side or until they are lightly browned. It’s okay if some of the breading falls to the bottom of the pan.
Toast the insides of the buns on a skillet over medium heat. Doing this helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
Heat the buffalo sauce in a pan over medium low until it’s warmed. Gently dip the buffalo “chicken” into the sauce on both sides.
Assemble your vegan buffalo chicken sandwich and enjoy!
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Make them spicier with red pepper flakes, jalapeno slices, more hot sauce or extra cayenne.
- Break the corners off of the tofu slabs before marinating them for a more natural buffalo “chicken” appearance.
No-Waste Ideas
- Use leftover hot sauce to make Vegan Buffalo Dip.
- Dip Tofu Nuggets, Breaded Mushrooms, or Breaded Squash into remaining buffalo sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Assembled vegan buffalo chicken sandwiches are best eaten fresh because the buns can become a little soggy over time. However, you can store the tofu patties in the refrigerator for 4 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Heat them in a pan or the microwave and assemble the sandwiches just before you’re ready to eat them. You may also want to add a bit more buffalo sauce to the patties or store them before adding the buffalo sauce if you plan to eat them later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave the tofu block in its original packaging and place it in the freezer. Let it freeze overnight or for at least 4 hours. Once frozen, transfer the tofu to the refrigerator to thaw or remove it from its packaging and defrost it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Drain and press the tofu before using it in your recipe.
Freezing your tofu creates a dense, chewy, almost meaty texture. This process alters the tofu because the liquid expands into ice crystals when frozen and condenses the tofu. Once thawed, the ice crystals leave pockets making it easier for the tofu to absorb marinade while the rest of the tofu is now chewy and dense.
Related Vegan Recipes
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Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 cup plant milk
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon no-chicken bouillon base
Seasoned Breading
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup vegan buffalo sauce,
Sandwich Components
- 4 vegan buns, rolls, brioche, etc.
- Optional Toppings: lettuce, green onions, pickles, tomatoes,vegan ranch, vegan mayo, vegan blue cheese, etc.
Instructions
Freeze Tofu If Time Permits
- If you have time freeze the tofu for 4 hours or overnight in its original packaging. Thaw it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
Buffalo Chick'n Sandwiches
- Drain the liquid from the tofu and then press it for 15 minutes. I do this by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and then placing something heavy on it.
- Slice the tofu into 4 slabs and place them in a single layer in a large shallow dish. Mix the marinade ingredients together and pour it over the tofu. Flip them over and let the tofu soak it up for 15 minutes. Flip them back over halfway through.
- Stir the seasoned breading ingredients together in a wide, shallow bowl.
- Shake off the excess marinade from the tofu, and place it in the dry breading. Pat the dry breading into the tofu and then repeat this process so that there are two layers of breading.
- Cook them in the air fryer or pan fry them. I prefer the air fryer because I find it to be easier, less messy, and the batter stays on better.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 375°F and spray the basket with cooking oil. Add the tofu patties and then spray the tops with more oil. Cook the tofu for 20 minutes. Flip them halfway through and lightly spray them again. The tofu patties are ready when they are lightly browned.
Pan Fry Instructions
- Heat ½ inch of cooking oil in a large cast iron or nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be around 350°F or until it sizzles when dropping some batter into it. Fry the tofu for 3-4 mins on each side or until they are lightly browned.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- Toast the insides of the buns on a skillet over medium heat. Heat the buffalo sauce in a pan over medium low until it’s warmed. Gently dip the buffalo “chicken” into the sauce on both sides. Assemble the sandwiches.
Video
Notes
- Freezing and then thawing the tofu will help create a great chewy and dense texture as well as absorb the marinate more.
- Toasting the insides of the buns helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- For homemade buffalo sauce, simply combine equal parts melted butter with hot sauce.
Nutrition
The nutrition information is estimated and can vary depending on brands and measurements used.
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