Crispy orange tofu is all about the sauce. It’s sweet and tangy with a spicy kick you can adjust to your taste.
You’ll love how this tofu turns out crisp and golden brown whether you make it in the air fryer or oven, no oil needed. Pair it with rice and your favorite veggies for a vibrant meal that’s as delicious to eat as it is easy to make.
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And did I mention that unlike my Asian-Style lemon tofu recipe, the sauce for this sticky orange tofu is sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of sugar? The heat comes from crushed red pepper flakes, so you can adjust the spice to your liking.
This sauce is so good!!!! I can make it as spicy as I like!
- Dina
Since I love my small appliances, I usually make this recipe in my air fryer, often alongside a batch of Instant Pot coconut rice with peas. But it turns out just as perfectly in the oven, especially since those crispy cubes of tofu are tossed in the incredible tangy sauce right at the end.
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- Extra-firm or super-firm tofu
- Tamari (or substitute soy sauce if not gluten-free)
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
For the sauce:
- Orange zest
- Orange juice
- Water
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh garlic
- Pure maple syrup
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
Instructions
- Marinate the tofu cubes in tamari and cornstarch. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Air fry or bake until golden and crispy.
- Meanwhile mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Transfer the cooked tofu to a large skillet. Pour the sauce over the tofu and simmer until the sauce has thickened.
- Enjoy immediately with your favorite sides.
Serving suggestions
If you like, you can garnish the orange tofu with sliced green onions, as shown in the photos. It pairs well with rice or your favorite grain and Asian-inspired vegetables like stir fried sugar snap peas and cold sesame asparagus.
More vegan tofu recipes you'll love
Made this recipe? Have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 And for even more recipes, join my email list for community, inspiration & to chat directly with me!
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Orange Tofu (Air Fried or Baked without Oil)
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- 14-16 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed (or use super-firm tofu which does not require pressing)
- 1 Tablespoon tamari, (or soy sauce, if not gluten-free)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
For the sauce:
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, (or arrowroot powder)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, (or to taste)
Instructions
- Slice the tofu into cubes. Place the cubes in a quart-size sealable storage bag (or use a storage container with a tight-fitting lid.) Add the tamari and seal the bag. Shake the bag until all the tofu is coated with the tamari.1 Tablespoon tamari, 14-16 ounces extra-firm tofu
- Add the tablespoon of cornstarch to the bag. Shake again until the tofu is coated. Set the tofu aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- Meanwhile add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and mix with a spoon. Set aside.½ cup water, ⅓ cup orange juice, 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- For air frying: Place the tofu in the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to do this in two batches, depending on the model you have. Cook the tofu at 390-400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking it halfway though, until lightly browned and crispy.*
- For baking: Spread the cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425°F for for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly browned and crispy.
- Place the cooked tofu in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Give the sauce a stir and pour it over the tofu. Stir the tofu and sauce until the sauce has thickened and the tofu is heated through.
- Serve immediately with rice and vegetables, if desired.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Dina says
This sauce is so good!!!! I can make it as spicy as I like! Thank you! 🙏🏼
Sarah says
Hello! I used fresh squeezed orange juice, should I have added some sugar? How much? The sauce came out a little bitter.
Amy Katz says
Hi Sarah, you can add a little sugar if the sauce tastes bitter. Start with a little and taste it as you go.
Katie Chevalier says
This was so good! My meat-loving husband even liked it!
Amy Katz says
Thank you, Katie! That's the best compliment. 🙂
Sue says
Hi, my airfryer decided to retire, can i bake these in a toaster oven?
Amy Katz says
You can try them in a regular oven or in your toaster oven. I don't know what temperature or time will work the best, but I'm sure you can experiment.
Dana says
So good! Not too sweet. Thanks for all of your hard work bringing these great recipes to us!
Amy Katz says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Dana!
Susan says
I was using an air fryer for the first time and grumbling as I was making this recipe because I've been burned (no pun intended) many times with random recipes I've found on the internet. But you, Amy Katz, have got it goin' on! The Orange Tofu is outstanding! (And using an Air Fryer is easy and awesome.) Thank you!
Amy says
Thank you so much, Susan! Enjoy your new air fryer!
Roberta says
I have been looking for the best way to get crispy air fryer tofu. Thank you for teaching me how.
I made the crispy orange tofu tonight and my husband loved it!!! He is the carnivore in the house!
Shelley— I used arrowroot powder and I have a Philips Air fryer. It crisped up very nicely by 10 minutes, shaking at the 5 minute mark.
Gayle says
This is the first “official “ air fryer recipe I have made. It was delicious and easy. I don’t generally buy new kitchen gadgets because of space in my small kitchen and because I typically like to cook the old fashioned pots and pans way. But I LOVE my air fryer. Everything I have made has been exceptional.
Amy says
Thank you, Gayle! I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
Shelley says
Mine didn’t come out crispy... used arrowroot and the Breville air fryer... maybe more than 10 minutes? Sauce was delicious!
Amy says
Thank you, Shelley! I haven't used the Breville, but I would definitely try air frying the tofu for a little longer next time.
James says
I have to be honest I am shocked!!
I just made this, and it was really good!
AS I was making it, I thought “ this is not going to be enough corn starch” but was wrong!
My favorite part was the sauce for sure! I loved spice from the red pepper flakes.
Served with a side of broccoli over rice
Was delicious! Will deff be following your FB page
Thank you
Amy says
Thanks so much, James! You made my day. 🙂