Description

A flavorful Crispy Orange Tofu recipe that mimics classic orange chicken but in a vegetarian style. The tofu is pressed, marinated, coated in cornstarch, fried to a golden crisp, and then tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy orange sauce with garlic, ginger, and a hint of chili. Finished with toasted sesame oil and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish is perfect served over rice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Tofu Preparation

1 block firm tofu, pressed
1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of white pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Frying

3 tablespoon avocado oil, for frying

Orange Sauce

2/3 cup orange juice
3 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or tamari)
3 tablespoon brown sugar
2½ tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon orange zest (or zest of 1 small orange)
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger, packed
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
¼ cup warm water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Garnish

1/4 cup sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Press and Cut Tofu: Press the tofu for 30 minutes to 1 hour to remove excess moisture. Once pressed, cut into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a large bowl.
Marinate and Coat: Add soy sauce, salt, and white pepper to the tofu cubes and gently mix. Sprinkle over half of the cornstarch, mix well, then add the remaining half and mix again. Set aside to allow coating to adhere.
Fry the Tofu: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once heated, add the tofu cubes and fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides. Remove tofu from the pan and set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, orange zest, garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, and a pinch of salt. Set this sauce mixture aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet used for frying, add garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Add more avocado oil if needed. Sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Cook the Sauce: Pour the prepared orange sauce into the skillet and bring it to a boil.
Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix warm water and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to simmer and stir frequently until the sauce thickens, about 6-8 minutes.
Combine Tofu and Sauce: Add the cooked tofu back into the skillet along with toasted sesame oil. Stir gently to coat tofu evenly with sauce. Adjust salt to taste if necessary.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the crispy orange tofu over cooked rice, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and texture. Enjoy!

Notes

This Orange Tofu recipe is our take on classic orange chicken, offering a vegetarian alternative that's crispy and flavorful.
Pressing the tofu for at least 30 minutes removes excess water, helping it to crisp up better when fried.
Use a non-stick or well-seasoned skillet to prevent tofu from sticking during frying.
Adjust the chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
For gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
If you prefer less oil, you can bake the tofu instead of frying, though the texture will be slightly different.
Serve with steamed rice or your favorite grain to complete the meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg