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4.80 from 10 votes
by Marly
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Enjoy this crispy orange tofu recipe with sticky orange sauce rather than calling for takeout. This recipe delivers the best battered tofu served in a sweet and sour orange sauce.
![Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (1) Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (1)](https://i0.wp.com/namelymarly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Orange_Tofu_09-web.jpg.webp)
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This is an easy tofu recipe that you can fry in a skillet or even bake. Imagine this Chinese take-out classic, sauce and all, made in your very own kitchen. It’s the best way to go!
Serve orange crispy tofu with some Brown Rice, Cauliflower Rice, or even Zucchini Noodles.
It’s fun ordering take-out from time to time, but for the most part, we choose to eat in. That’s because I love to make such amazing homemade foods where I can choose the ingredients. This orange tofu is a great example.
Table of Contents show
What Makes This Recipe Shine?
- CRISPY — A cornstarch batter makes the tofu extra crispy and delicious
- FLAVORFUL — Using sesame oil adds depth of flavor to this recipe (toasted sesame oil is even better)
- SAVORY SWEET — The sweet orange sauce is made with fresh orange and adds deliciousness to every bite
Who would have thought that oranges would taste so good in a savory dish? But sweet and savory flavors have been coupled together since humans first discovered they had taste buds.
Key Ingredients
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:
- Tofu — I use extra-firm tofu for the best orange chicken tofu texture. Here’s more on how to buy tofu.
- Flaxseed — You’ll need some ground flaxseed.
- Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the sauce. You can substitute arrowroot powder.
- Flour — You can use all-purpose flour or even gluten-free flour.
- Sesame oil — This oil is so flavorful. You can find it in the Asian section of most grocery stores and health food stores.
- Green onions — These create a more subtle onion flavor.
- Orange— You’ll need one orange, and we’ll be using both the zest and the juice.
- Tamarior soy sauce — If you have issues with gluten, you can use Tamari, otherwise soy sauce works just fine.
- Rice vinegar — You can find this in the Asian aisles of most grocery stores. You can substitute white wine vinegar.
- Agave— I use agave, but you can substitute maple syrup.
Ingredient Spotlight
![Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (2) Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (2)](https://i0.wp.com/namelymarly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Tofu_Extra_Firm_01-web-960x640.jpg.webp)
What Tofu is Best for Fried Tofu?
Firm or extra-firm tofu is best for making fried tofu. It has a compact texture that produces the perfect mouth-feel. Tofu has a neutral flavor, allowing it to soak up the seasonings it’s cooked with. First, you press the packing water out of the tofu to make way for the flavors you’re about to cook it with.
Quick Fix Tip
Skip the pan-frying and use Air Fryer Tofu! Prepare the air-fried tofu as recommended, then add it to a skillet, coat it with the sauce, and serve it with rice and the orange sticky sauce.
Frequently-Asked Questions
What is orange tofu?
You make orange tofu by frying extra-firm tofu until crispy, then tossing it in a sticky orange sauce that’s both tangy and sweet. You can easily make orange tofu both vegan and gluten-free by using Tamari instead of soy sauce.
What is orange sauce made of?
Asian-style orange sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce made with fresh orange juice. You’ll also add things like sugar and soy sauce. Ydd additional flavorings such as ginger or red chili flakes.
How do you flavor and cook tofu?
Stir-frying tofu is a favorite way to add flavor to tofu. First, be sure to press the tofu to remove excess water, then chop it into cubes and add sauces and seasonings. The tofu will absorb the flavors of the ingredients it’s cooked with.
Marly’s Tips
It’s easy to adapt this sauce. For example, add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the sauce to make orange ginger tofu. Add 1 teaspoon red chili paste for more spicy orange tofu.
![Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (3) Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (3)](https://i0.wp.com/namelymarly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Orange_Tofu_07-web.jpg.webp)
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
Shweta
Super Easy, Super Healthy, Super Tasty. Loved it so much thank you for sharing!
Serving Suggestions
Calling for takeout is always a temptation, but when you’ve got something like this vegan orange chicken tofu recipe it doesn’t have to be. Here are some great options to serve alongside your tofu stir fry:
- Brown Rice
- Cauliflower Rice
- Steamed Broccoli
- Cooked Noodles
Vegan Asian Recipes
If you love this orange tofu recipe, here are even more vegan Asian-inspired recipes to try:
Sticky Sesame Chickpeas
15 mins total
Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry
25 mins total
Kung Pao Tofu
40 mins total
Vegan Bulgogi
45 mins total
That’s it for this tofu a la orange!
![Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (8) Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (8)](https://i0.wp.com/namelymarly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Orange_Tofu_06-web2.jpg.webp)
![Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (9) Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe (9)](https://i0.wp.com/namelymarly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Top-12-Easy-Vegan-Recipes-eBook_2020-cover-600x450.jpg.webp)
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Orange Chicken Tofu
Enjoy this easy and delicious crispy orange chicken tofu served with sticky orange sauce. It's better than calling out for takeout. You'll enjoy the food and how you feel too!
4.80 from 10 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 301kcal
Author: Marly McMillen
Ingredients
Fried Tofu
- 14-ounce package extra firm tofu, drained and pressed dry (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (toasted sesame oil, olive oil)
Orange Tofu Coating
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (sesame, toasted sesame, or olive oil)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for gluten-free use tamari or coconut aminos)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup (substitute maple syrup)
Sticky Orange Sauce
- ¼ cup orange juice (the juice of one orange from the zest above)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup (or maple syrup)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for gluten-free use tamari or coconut aminos)
Instructions
For the Fried Tofu:
Press the tofu and then chop it into 1/2-inch cubes. (See notes for how to press tofu)
Create the Tofu Batter: Stir together the flax, water, cornstarch, and flour in a bowl until combined.
Add the tofu (in batches works best) and thoroughly coat each piece. Use a fork to remove tofu pieces and gently tap on the bowl to remove excess batter. Add a tablespoon of additional water if the batter gets too thick.
Place a skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place 2 to 3 sheets of paper towels on a plate on the counter near your skillet.
Use tongs to place half of the batter-coated tofu in the heated oil. Allow space between each piece for all the sides to get browned. Cook the tofu on each side until browned. Place finished pieces of tofu on the paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Add a little more oil to the pan and repeat with the remaining tofu.
For the Orange Tofu Coating:
In a small bowl, stir together the orange coating ingredients.
Return the tofu to the pan and add gently stir in the orange coating. Cook over medium heat until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
For the Sticky Orange Sauce:
Prepare the sticky orange sauce by combining all the ingredients in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Stir to combine. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until thickened. It shouldn't take very long. If it gets too thick, add a little hot water and stir to incorporate.
Serve the tofu over brown rice with additional chopped green onions, sticky orange sauce, and sesame seeds. A side of steamed broccoli goes nicely with this dish too!
Recommended Equipment
Tofu Press
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Notes
Note: You don’t have to make the Orange Sauce, but it’s nice to have this to drizzle over the rice.
Regarding Tofu:
- You can substitute one batch of Air Fryer Tofu in place of the fried tofu from this recipe.
- To press tofu, remove it from the package and drain the liquid. Then wrap it in a kitchen towel or paper towels and place something heavy on top, like a heavy pan. Alternatively, use a tofu press. Allow 15 to 20 minutes to press the tofu.
- Tofu packages come in different sizes, anywhere between 14 and 17 ounces is the norm and will work for this recipe.
Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1077mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!
This post was originally published in 2018 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.