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Crispy Orange Tofu | Better than Takeout!

Crispy Orange Tofu | Better than Takeout!

This Crispy Orange Tofu is drenched in a sweet & tangy citrus sauce for a cozy meal that’s better than takeout!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • medium bowl
  • Medium pan
  • baking sheet

Ingredients
  

For the Tofu

  • 1 block extra firm tofu, pressed
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Orange Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 0.5 inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, strained
  • 0.33 cup loosely packed brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup reduced-sodium tamari
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest about 1 small orange
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water

For Serving

  • Cooked rice or noodles optional
  • Steamed or stir-fried vegetables optional
  • Green onions, thinly sliced optional
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Tear the tofu into bite-sized chunks for a more chicken-like texture, or cut into small cubes.

Tofu Preparation

  • Add the tofu to a medium bowl and add in the oil and tamari. Toss with a spatula until evenly coated, then sprinkle the cornstarch on top and toss again. Transfer to a baking sheet and spread out the tofu pieces so they aren’t touching. Bake on the top rack of the oven for 30 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through.

Sauce Preparation

  • Once the tofu has gone into the oven, begin prepping the sauce. Warm the sesame oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once warm, add the garlic, ginger, and optional red chili flakes. Sauté for 60 seconds, then add in the orange juice, brown sugar, tamari, vinegar, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with the water until dissolved, then add the slurry to the sauce and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and can coat the back of a spoon.

Serving

  • Remove the tofu from the oven and add it to the pan, coating all sides of the tofu in the glossy orange sauce. Serve warm, over rice or as desired. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

This recipe works great with the crispy tofu, but you can also make the orange sauce and coat it in store-bought vegan chicken or veg chicken nuggets! I recommend using fresh squeezed orange juice for this – pasteurized will work in a pinch, but it will be less sweet and more bitter! You’ll need 3-4 large oranges to get ~1 cup of juice. If you plan on making this recipe for meal prep, I would keep the tofu and sauce separate; warm them separately, then toss right before serving to keep the tofu crispy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1recipeCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 11gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gFiber: 2gSugar: 24g
Keyword comfort food, Crispy Orange Tofu, Gluten-Free, Takeout, Vegan
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