This bang bang tofu has crisp golden edges, a creamy sweet and spicy sauce, and a rice bowl base loaded with crunchy vegetables. You can cook the tofu in an air fryer or in a skillet, so it works whether you want a hands off dinner or a quick stovetop meal.
The sauce is just mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, Sriracha, and a little rice vinegar. It takes a minute to whisk together and clings to the cornstarch coated tofu like a glaze. Pile everything over rice with cabbage, carrots, cucumber, avocado, and edamame for a colorful bowl.
Table of Contents
Why This Bang Bang Tofu Recipe Works
Pressing the tofu removes extra water so it can crisp instead of steam. A light coating of cornstarch, garlic powder, and paprika builds a thin crust that holds on to the sauce. Tossing the tofu with soy sauce and olive oil first seasons it all the way through.
The sauce hits every note. Mayonnaise gives richness, sweet chili sauce adds sticky sweetness, Sriracha brings heat, and rice vinegar keeps it bright. Tossing the tofu with half of the sauce and drizzling the rest on top gives you flavor in every bite without making the crust soggy too soon.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Tofu
For the tofu:
- 1 block (14 to 16 oz) extra firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the bang bang sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tbsp sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
For serving:
- Cooked jasmine or white rice
- Shredded purple cabbage
- Julienned carrots
- Sliced cucumber
- Avocado and edamame
- Sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime, optional
How to Make Bang Bang Tofu
1. Press the tofu
Press the tofu for about 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Cut or tear it into bite sized pieces.
2. Season the tofu
In a large bowl, toss the tofu with the soy sauce and olive oil.
3. Coat with cornstarch
Sprinkle in the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss gently until every piece is coated.
4. Air fryer option
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
5. Pan fried option
Heat 1 to 2 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping every few minutes, until golden and crispy.
6. Whisk the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, Sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth.
7. Toss with sauce
Move the cooked tofu to a bowl and toss it with half of the sauce until evenly coated.
8. Build the bowls
Divide the rice between bowls and top with the sauced tofu and your choice of vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining sauce and finish with sesame seeds and lime if you like.
How to Serve Bang Bang Tofu
Serve it over rice as a bowl, tuck it into lettuce wraps, or pile it onto a salad. If you like crispy tofu with different flavors, try Air Fryer Garlic Tofu Bites or Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites. Air Fryer Tofu Cubes with Smoked Paprika make a simple plain version, and the same sauce also works on Bang Bang Shrimp.
How to Store and Reheat Bang Bang Tofu
Keep leftover tofu and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, and cool them within two hours of cooking. Storing them apart helps the tofu stay crisp for longer.
Reheat the tofu in the air fryer or a hot skillet until crisp and hot throughout, then toss it with fresh sauce. The microwave works in a pinch, but the coating will soften.
Tips and Variations for Bang Bang Tofu
Pressing matters most. University of Illinois Extension uses the same approach for crispy tofu, pressing the block and coating it with cornstarch before cooking.
Do not crowd the air fryer basket or the skillet, because crowded tofu steams. Adjust the Sriracha to match your heat preference, or replace the mayonnaise with a yogurt based sauce for a lighter version. Extra firm tofu holds its shape best. A squeeze of lime at the end adds a fresh finish, and the vegetables can be swapped for whatever you have on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Tofu
Do I have to press the tofu for bang bang tofu?
Pressing gives the crispiest result because it removes excess moisture. Skipping it usually leads to softer tofu.
Can I make bang bang tofu without an air fryer?
Yes. The pan fried method gives golden, crispy edges in a large skillet over medium heat.
Can I make bang bang tofu ahead of time?
Cook the tofu and mix the sauce ahead, but store them separately. Toss them together right before serving.
How spicy is the sauce?
It is mildly spicy. Add less Sriracha for a gentler sauce or more for extra heat.
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
A yogurt based sauce works for a lighter version, though it will taste a little tangier.
Bang Bang Tofu: Air Fryer or Pan Fried
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 block (14 to 16 oz) extra firm tofu pressed and cubed
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tbsp sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 ½ tsp Sriracha
- ½ tsp rice vinegar
- cooked jasmine or white rice for serving
- shredded purple cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced cucumber, avocado, and edamame for serving
Instructions
Cooking
- Press the tofu for about 30 minutes, then cut or tear into bite sized pieces.
- Toss the tofu with the soy sauce and olive oil in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle in the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and toss gently until coated.
- Air fryer: preheat to 400 degrees F, arrange the tofu in a single layer, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Pan fried: heat 1 to 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the tofu in a single layer for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping every few minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Whisk the mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, Sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth.
- Toss the cooked tofu with half of the sauce.
- Divide rice between bowls, top with the tofu and vegetables, drizzle with the remaining sauce, and add sesame seeds and lime if desired.
