Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (2024)

This Crispy Baked Orange Tofu is reminiscent of the popular Chinese dish. A sticky, sweet orange sauce is paired with the most amazing crispy BAKED tofu!

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (1)

This magical orange tofu recipe reminds me so much of my pre-vegan Panda Express orange chicken days! The sauce is to die for, and the tofu is baked to crispy perfection instead of being fried. I prefer baking tofu, as you can see from my Sticky Sriracha Tofu and Peanut Tofu.

It’s an easy weeknight meal, especially if you press your tofu beforehand! All you have to do is get some rice cooking, bake the tofu, make your orange sauce, then mix the crispy tofu in it.

My 4 year old is obsessed with this dish. He asks me every couple of days to make his “favorite tofu” (this recipe), so we eat it quite often around this house!

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (2)

How to make Crispy Baked Orange Tofu

This is my favorite method for baking tofu.

Add your pressed tofu cubes to a large ziplock type bag (large plastic containers work well, too). Now add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and olive oil (or soy sauce for oil free). Close the bag and gently shake it around to coat the tofu.

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (3)

Place the tofu on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for 15 more minutes until golden and crispy. It’s so much easier than frying, plus less oil too!

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (4)

Simple Sticky Orange Sauce

The orange sauce is made of simple ingredients:

  • Vegetable broth
  • Fresh squeezed orange juice (from a few oranges)
  • Sugar (or other sweetener)
  • Rice Vinegar
  • Low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Sriracha hot sauce
  • & Cornstarch/water slurry

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (5)

Once the tofu is cooked and the sauce has thickened, add the tofu to the sauce and stir. That’s it!

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (6)

Special Tips & Instructions

  • Gluten-free: Use gluten free tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • Tofu-free: Try using cauliflower instead! Bake it just like you would the tofu, then mix with the sauce.
  • Sweetener options: Add less or more sugar to taste, or substitute pure maple syrup, agave or even coconut sugar.
  • Fry instead of bake: If you prefer, you can pan fry the tofu instead. Simply toss the tofu with cornstarch, then fry in a thin layer of oil.

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (7)

Want more vegan take out recipes that are easy to make at home?

  • Vegan Curry
  • Vegan Pad Thai
  • Thai Peanut Noodles
  • Red Thai Curry Vegetables
  • Vegan Butter Chicken
  • Sticky Sriracha Tofu

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (8)

4.97 stars (62 ratings)

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu

This Crispy Baked Orange Tofu is reminiscent of the popular Chinese dish. A sticky, sweet orange sauce is paired with the most amazing crispy BAKED tofu!

Prep: 40 minutes mins

Cook: 35 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 5 large servings

PrintPinCommentSave

Ingredients

Crispy Baked Tofu:

  • (2) 14-16 ounce blocks extra-firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, OR low sodium soy sauce for oil free
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Sticky Orange Sauce:

  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, from 2-3 large oranges
  • 1/2 cup organic sugar (may sub coconut sugar, brown sugar or pure maple syrup)
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water

For serving

  • 4-5 cups cooked rice
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped green onions

Instructions

Make the Crispy Baked Tofu:

  • Press the tofu by wrapping in paper towels (or a clean dry tea towel). Place a plate or pan on top of the wrapped tofu, and put a couple of heavy books on top of that. Let the tofu press for at least 30 minutes if possible and up to an hour.

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with oil.

  • Slice the tofu into 1 inch cubes and add them to a large ziplock bag, along with the olive oil (or soy sauce) and cornstarch. Close the bag, and shake gently to coat the tofu pieces.

  • Arrange the tofu evenly on the prepared pan, and bake for 15 minutes. Flip and bake for 15 more minutes, until the tofu pieces are crispy and lightly golden brown. Remove from oven.

Make the Orange Sauce:

  • In a large pan (large enough to fit the tofu and sauce), add all sauce ingredients except the cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil, and cook for a minute or two. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to combine, and then add to the pot. Stir over medium-high heat constantly for a couple of minutes, until the sauce thickens.

  • Now add the baked tofu to the pan and stir to coat the tofu in the sauce. Remove from heat.

  • Serve over brown or white rice. Sprinkle with green onions and/or sesame seeds. Add a side of steamed broccoli or cauliflower if desired.

Video

Notes

  • Gluten Free: Make sure to use gluten free tamari, not soy sauce.
  • Tofu Free: Try using cauliflower instead (roasted, just like the tofu!)
  • 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.
  • This recipe makes enough for 5 people. It does make great leftovers, but feel free to halve the recipe if desired.
  • Fry instead of bake: If you prefer, you can pan fry the tofu. Simply toss tofu cubes with cornstarch, and fry in a thin layer of oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1070mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Author: Nora Taylor

Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

*This recipe was originally posted in Jan. 2018 and has been updated with new photos and writing Dec. 2019.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here.

About Nora

Read more about Nora

Posted In: Asian-Inspired, Budget Vegan Recipes, Cuisine, Dinner, Gluten Free, High Protein, Main Dish, Meal Type, Method, Nut Free, Special Dietary Needs, Tofu, Vegan Ingredients

you may also like:

Main Dish

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Butter Beans Recipe

Main Dish

Impossible Meatloaf (Stuffed with Cheese)

Main Dish

Green Pasta

Main Dish

Easy Seitan

Crispy Baked Orange Tofu (2024)

FAQs

Why is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

Why won't my tofu get crisp? This could likely be a result of not drying out the tofu enough to drain out the extra moisture. It's also possible that your oven temperature is not hot enough. Make sure it's preheated and heat the pan in the oven for extra crispness.

How many calories are in orange tofu? ›

Calories in Orange Tofu
Calories219.7
Total Carbohydrate22.0 g
Dietary Fiber0.7 g
Sugars6.5 g
Protein12.6 g
8 more rows

What is crispy tofu made of? ›

Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips. Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.

Which tofu is healthiest? ›

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Is tofu a meat or vegetable? ›

Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins. These proteins are made from pressed soybean curds in a process similar to cheesemaking. This also means that, because only plant-based products are used in its creation, tofu is vegan.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What to use instead of cornstarch for crispy tofu? ›

6 Cornstarch Substitutes for All Your Cooking and Baking Needs
  1. Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
  2. Rice Flour. ...
  3. All-Purpose Flour. ...
  4. Tapioca Flour. ...
  5. Arrowroot Powder. ...
  6. Xanthan Gum.
Jun 13, 2022

Is crispy tofu unhealthy? ›

Despite the nutritional benefits of tofu, fried tofu is not a healthy food choice. The problem lies in the frying cooking method. Although tofu is naturally low in calories and fat, frying adds tons of fat grams to the tofu and drastically increases the dish's calorie count.

Is tofu good for you to Lose Weight? ›

Tofu is a cholesterol-free, low-calorie, high-protein food that's also rich in bone-boosting calcium and manganese. Tofu may help you to lose weight by keeping you fuller for longer on fewer calories than meat. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when swapped for saturated fat-heavy animal proteins.

Which tofu is best for weight loss? ›

3.5 oz of firm tofu has 78 calories, and silken tofu has 55 calories. Soft soy tofu with lecithin is ranked second with 61 Calories, but all of those are less than many animal protein options, which usually clock in at 140-200 calories for 3.5-oz servings.

Is tofu less fattening than meat? ›

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

Does McDonald's use tofu? ›

McDonald's has introduced a tofu-stuffed spin on its beloved Chicken McNuggets, available starting today (but only in Japan—sorry!). The tofu shinjo nuggets, which are chicken-free, are a unique mashup of tofu, soybeans, onions, carrots and minced fish. (Poor vegetarian readers—did you all totally just lose interest?)

What are the three types of tofu? ›

Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.

What is yellow tofu made of? ›

Shan tofu (also known as chickpea tofu) is a Burmese dish that comes from the Shan State in Myanmar. Yellow in color, this “tofu” is very easy to make and can be served in many ways. Many recipes for this chickpea tofu use only chickpea flour, water, salt, and occasionally turmeric for color.

What's the difference between tofu and vegan tofu? ›

Is All Tofu Vegan? Although tofu in general is completely vegan friendly, we always recommend checking the ingredients list on the tofu you have. Sometimes, the odd brand of tofu may use a different method to create their tofu, some of which include animal byproducts in their process.

Why is sprouted tofu better for you? ›

The main difference between regular and sprouted tofu is the nutritional content: the sprouted variety offers almost 20% more protein and 3 times as much calcium than regular. Some folks say that sprouted tofu also offers a cleaner taste, but we'll let you be the judge of that!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 5982

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.