Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites
I can’t wait to share my crispy buffalo tofu bites! UPDATE: This original post was published in 2017. Yesterday I made some changes to the original recipe, and both recipe cards are provided below. I prefer our updated version! The whole plate is only 3 Weight Watchers points!
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But first, I have to be honest, I was a bit surprised with my loss this week. I had brunch with my Mom and sister with drinks, I had wine last Saturday night, hibachi and two beers on Monday night. I guess my saving grace is that I walk a lot during the day – even on the days I didn’t walk at lunch I was easily at 12,000 steps for the day.
Now that March is nearly officially over, I can’t use the excuse to celebrate all the birthdays in my family anymore, and it’s time to refocus. I only tracked 1/3 of the month of March. And for that I had an overall gain of 1.8 for the month.
But I am not upset about that at all. March is a full month for me, and I enjoyed it, but now it’s time to get back to business.
Goals for April:
- track 25 out of 30 days
- drink 80 ounces of water a day
- gym 3 times a week (strength train)
- minimum 4 pounds to lose (would get me to -20 pounds since Christmas!)
- maximum 9 pounds to lose (which would get me to -25 pounds since Christmas!)
- journal every day
I know journaling is key so I need to fit that into my routine. I am also trying to figure out my workout schedule. My thought is that if I work out before work: a) it’s done and over with and no matter what my day throws at me, I’ll have already gotten the workout in and b) I can sleep an hour on the train to work if I am tired, so there really is no excuse. I’ll keep you posted on that one.
I took the early train to get to Weight Watchers before work to meet my sister, so I didn’t have time to pack my food for the day. Corner Bakery is in the lobby of the building WW is in, so I got their protein flatbread with avocado and spinach, with a side of fresh fruit. Not only was this delicious, the salsa was spicy, and this only set me back $5.79 – I am not sure I could get McDonald’s for that price! (well, if I didn’t get anything off the $1 menu).
One of my bosses was out, so I had no trouble going back to Weight Watchers for the meeting. We had a guest leader and I really liked her. She lost 100 pounds and has maintained that loss for 12 years, but even she admitted that she still has to double check points. It was funny she said she’d make breakfast and think “that’s probably 6 points” when in reality it was more like 24 points, but she’d have it stuck in her head that breakfast was only 6 points.
I do love the weekly meetings though – as someone on Connect (Weight Watchers app Facebook) said that she needed the meetings when she had a great week because maybe something she said could influence someone else having a successful week, and when she had a bad week, she still went to get inspiration from others. I couldn’t agree more.
I picked up lunch at Pret and got a small soup with a hard boiled egg drizzled with Goddess dressing. Lunch was 8 smart points. I need to make a pot of tomato soup and figure out the points – there is no way that this 110 calorie cup of soup is 13 smart points like the WW app suggests. It’s delicious though!
Thursday night is what I call “leftover” night because even if I had meal planned, there are always weeks when I plan a meal and then it never happens. I had tofu in the fridge, so took that as my inspiration.
Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites
If you have a jones for buffalo wings, these crispy buffalo tofu bites will cure that jones - for much less calories!
Ingredients
- 6 ounces firm tofu, pressed and cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Put the tofu between two paper towels and press with a heavy object. I just used my tea kettle full of water. After 5 minutes, change the paper towels, repeat that process two more times, for a total of 15 minutes. (FYI - this can be done ahead of time).
- In a bowl add the almond milk. In another bowl mix the flour, corn starch, salt and pepper. Dip the tofu into the flour mixture, then into the almond milk, then back in the flour mixture.
- Spray a skillet with avocado oil spray. Cook the tofu on all sides until crispy, about 5 minutes. Toss in buffalo sauce. Serve with fries and celery sticks.
Notes
Click HERE to check how many WW points this is on your plan!
Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites Updated!
These buffalo chicken bites are perfect on a night when you are low on WW points. This whole plate is only 3 WW points!
Ingredients
- 5 ounces extra firm tofu, torn into bite sized "nugget" size
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour (but you will only end up using 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon selzer (or water)
- 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce
- 3 new potatoes (already baked)
- 1/2 cup celery sticks
- 1 tablespoon light ranch dressing
Instructions
Preheat the Air Fryer:
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Coating Mixtures:
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper with seltzer (or water) to create a light batter.
Place 1 tablespoon of flour in a separate bowl.
Coat the Tofu:
Dip each tofu nugget into the seltzer mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
Then, dredge it lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess.
Prepare the Potatoes:
Slice the baked new potatoes into quarters.
Spray them lightly with avocado oil spray and season with salt and pepper.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Air Fry the Tofu:
After 12 minutes, add the coated tofu pieces to the air fryer basket.
Spray them with avocado oil spray to help crisp them up.
Continue air frying both the potatoes and tofu for another 8-12 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Toss in Buffalo Sauce:
Once crispy, toss the fried tofu in buffalo sauce until fully coated.
Serve & Enjoy:
Plate the buffalo tofu bites alongside the crispy potatoes.
Serve with celery sticks and light ranch dressing for dipping.
I think the only person who loves buffalo flavored anything more than me is my DIL Lizz. She’s been trying to make crispy tofu at home, so I figured this would be an easy recipe to follow.
You could make this an even quicker weeknight dinner if you press the tofu in your fridge during the day when you are at work. Just layer a lot of paper towels on a plate with the tofu, and put a heavy canned good on top.
I think the corn starch gives it the extra crunch. I had the points and fully expected this to be one serving of food below, but after eating half, the sweet potato fries and the celery, I was full. I put the recipe into the WW app, and each serving comes in at 5 smart points.
So spicy and delish! I love this Whataburger buffalo sauce – spicier than Frank’s Red Hot, but just as flavorful. I think my daughter-in-law will love this recipe! Love you Lizz – let me know if you try this 😀
Last day of the month! I am going to get my taxes done tonight, I have no idea how that will go, so keep your fingers crossed.
Happy Friday!
p.s. if you love tofu, try my orange chicken tofu
Hint: I always order the kids meals at Corner Bakery( J gets breakfast, I’ll order the lunch meals). The lunch meal is huge, 1/2 sandwich, tiny soup, pickle, chips, soda and a cookie. Its less than 6 dollars too. For breakfast, J will get 2 pancakes and 2 slices of bacon. Its less than 5.00 as well.
Great tip Randi! I’ll try that next time 😀
That tofu looks delicious, I love buffalo sauce, can’t wait to give it a try.
Let me know what you think of this one 😀
Your “square chicken” (which is what I will always call tofu after falling for that swap via my BFF several years ago) looks pretty tasty!
Have a great weekend!
Ha – square chicken! That’s the only “chicken” Hannah will eat 😀
I agree with Liz that your tofu looks delicious! Another trick for changing the texture of tofu and its ability to absorb the marinade is to freeze first. Some people just thaw and others put in boiling water . No matter which technique you choose the consensus seems to be that it improves and changes texture plus you can eliminate the pressing if you want.
I’m the cheerleader for the 5am workout which I’ve been doing for 8+ years. Not always easy but other than sleep not much stands in the way. Happy weekend Biz : )
Thanks Kris! I am going to have to look up the boiling method – I haven’t heard of that one!
That’s true, you are the queen of the morning workouts, and I think once I start doing it, it won’t be so bad. Seems that’s the only way I’ll get it in. I did get a walk in today with my sister which made me happy!
Someone really likes the Whataburger sauce 🙂 You were the queen of meatless meals today. Clever use of the tofu but I think you just wanted a reason to use the deep fryer 🙂 All things considered I think you did pretty well for March. Good goals for April.Hope you have a spectacular weekend!
My step-son and daughter in law gave them to me, and yes, I love those sauces – I may have to buy them when I am finished. And you are correct, it may have been a reason to bring the deep fryer up from the basement – you know me too well 😀
I fucking love this so much!!! thank you!!!
I love that you used a swear word ???
I do the AM workout thing….and trust me, I totally understand how early that is when trying to catch the fucking train! But….it’s over with, like you said. I have far less motivation after work, that’s for sure! Keep it up Biz!
Thanks Tia – I may just go to the gym and then shower there and catch the train – I usually take the 7:13 train to Chicago though so that would be EARLY! We’ll see how it goes. Love your new decorating aspect of your blog – you are so talented!!
Those hard boiled eggs look like they’ve been drizzled with nut butter. I thought “weird combo” until I read what it actually is… which I’d totally be down with!
I need that protein flatbread.
Happy Weekend!
It’s funny Carrie because after I looked at the picture I immediately looked at the expiration date of my dressing, but it was fine – just a weird brown color, but tasted good!
A lot of times Tomato soup is made with heavy cream, so that could be the reason. I love tomato soup, but all of the restaurant kinds are way too many points. I need to make my own, too.
That must be it Jill, because otherwise I can’t figure it out. It’s delicious though!