Orange Tofu

This Air Fryer Orange Tofu tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout order! It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a sticky, sweet orange sauce!

This recipe for Orange Tofu is made with pieces of firm tofu air-fried until crispy then tossed in a sweet and tangy Asian-style orange sauce. It’s a quick and easy to recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for those busy weeknights! This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and even non-tofu lovers will love this dish!

This tofu can be enjoyed on its own or served with a side of rice, rice noodles, or stir-fried veggies.

INGREDIENTS FOR ORANGE TOFU:

• Tofu: It’s important to use firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe. The firmer the tofu, the less moisture you need to press out of it.
• Orange Zest + Juice: The key to fresh, bright orange flavor, is using the zest of juice of a whole orange. You need 1 1/2 cup of orange juice, which amounts to roughly 4 large, juicy oranges.
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce brings a savory, salty complement to the sweetness of the orange juice and sugar. I suggest using a lower sodium version, if possible. This way, you have better control over the saltiness of the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: For quintessential sweet-and-sour flavor profile, a little rice vinegar adds assertiveness to the sauce.
• Aromatics: A classic combo of garlic and ginger creates the aromatic backbone of the sauce. The recipe calls for ground ginger for convenience, however feel free to use fresh!
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch does double duty here by creating a crispy outer layer on the tofu, as well as a slurry to help thicken the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Classic orange chicken sauce typically calls for white sugar, however brown sugar adds more depth of flavor.

HOW TO MAKE ORANGE TOFU?

Step 1: Cook the Tofu
Drain the tofu and pat it dry. Then cut it up into cubes or 2-inch pieces and toss it with the cornstarch, olive oil, salt to evenly coat each piece then air-fry on 350F heat for 10 minutes, toss in between once.

Step 2: Make the sauce
Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.

Step 3: Toss everything together
Add the sauce to the pan on medium heat and allow it to cook down just slightly, then add the tofu and toss everything together until well coated. Serve over rice with toasted sesame seeds and green onions on top.

TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT ORANGE TOFU:

• Use firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe to get crispy pieces of tofu.
• Don’t skip adding cornstarch to coat the tofu. This coating helps the tofu get a nice and crispy exterior.
• Be patient while cooking the tofu. You want to cook it on each side until nice and golden brown.
• If you are using orange zest ( an optional ingredient ), do make sure to stop zesting when you get to the white parts as it tends to be quite bitter.

VARIATIONS TO ORANGE TOFU:

• Tofu – If you are not a fan of tofu, tempeh or seitan is the next best alternative. Meat replacements like soy curls or vegan chicken tenders can also be used, but do prepare it according to package instructions before adding them into the orange sauce.
• Gluten Free – Make sure to use gluten free tamari, not soy sauce.
• Chili flakes – add in a generous pinch if you would like to give some kick to this dish.
• Vegetables – You can add in vegetables like cabbage, carrot, bell peppers or broccoli into this dish. You can add them in after sautéing your ginger and garlic. You might need to double the sauce for everything to be fully coated.
• Fry instead of bake – If you prefer, you can pan fry the tofu. Simply toss tofu cubes with cornstarch and salt, and fry in a thin layer of oil.
• Adjust the sweetness – If you don’t like too much sweetness, add less sugar or other sweetener of choice. Start with a few tablespoons, and taste until it’s to your liking.
• Make it your own – Feel free to add more seasonings to make this dish saltier, tangier or sweeter to suit your taste buds!
• Saucy – If you prefer them to be extra saucy, feel free to double the sauce.

HOW TO SERVE ORANGE TOFU?

This easy orange tofu recipe is delicious with a side of:

• White rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice.
• Brown rice for more fiber.
• Quinoa for a boost of plant-based protein and fiber.
• Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Steamed broccoli – orange tofu and broccoli match well together! You can even stir the steamed broccoli in the sauce and serve on rice.
• Also, add some of these flavorings on top of the tofu before serving:
  • finely chopped green onions,
  • roasted sesame seeds
  • a pinch of chili flakes

STORAGE TIPS:

To Store – Place leftover orange tofu in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat – To help the tofu re-crisp, rewarm this recipe in a skillet over medium heat. You can also crisp up the tofu in a toaster oven.

MORE INDO-CHINESE RECIPES TO TRY!

Vegetable Hakka Noodles

Shrimp Fried Rice

Egg Fried Rice

Burnt Garlic Mushroom Fried Rice

Vegetable Fried Rice

OTHER TOFU RECIPES:

Cashew Tofu

Tofu Veggie Skewers

Kung Pao Tofu

Tofu Scramble

How to Bake Tofu

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Orange Tofu

This Air Fryer Orange Tofu tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout order! It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a sticky, sweet orange sauce!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main, Protein, Sides

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

Crispy Tofu:

• 1 pack frim or extra-firm tofu drained and cut into 2-inch pieces or cubes
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

Orange Sauce:

• 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 inch cube ginger finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 4 tbsp soy sauce can sub tamari
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 4 tbsp brown sugar can sub coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions

 

• Toss the tofu in cornstarch, olive oil and pinch of salt then air-fry on 350F heat for 10 minutes, toss in between once.
• Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
• Add the sauce to the pan on medium heat and allow it to cook down just slightly, then add the tofu and toss everything together until well coated.
• Serve over rice with toasted sesame seeds and green onions on top.

Notes

1. Use firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe to get crispy pieces of tofu.
2. Don’t skip adding cornstarch to coat the tofu. This coating helps the tofu get a nice and crispy exterior.
3. Be patient while cooking the tofu. You want to cook it on each side until nice and golden brown.
4. If you are using orange zest (an optional ingredient), do make sure to stop zesting when you get to the white parts as it tends to be quite bitter.

Keyword Orange Tofu