Crispy Orange Tofu

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ORANGE TOFU

Introduction to Crispy Orange Tofu

Crispy Orange Tofu – a vegan alternative to the famous Orange Chicken dish from Panda Express that’s just as flavorful and delicious as the original.

The star ingredient in this recipe is tofu, a protein-packed soy-based product that is widely used in vegan and vegetarian cuisine. When prepared correctly, tofu can be incredibly flavorful and versatile, making it an excellent choice for a variety of dishes. In this recipe, the tofu is coated in a crispy batter and fried to perfection before being tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.

The sauce is made with a combination of fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar, which creates a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to please your taste buds. The orange juice adds a bright and refreshing citrus flavor, while the soy sauce and rice vinegar provide a savory umami taste that complements the sweetness of the sauce.

To make the tofu crispy, it is coated in a batter made from cornstarch and flour. The cornstarch helps to create a light and crispy texture, while the flour helps to bind the batter together.

Overall, this Crispy Orange Tofu recipe is a vegan twist on a classic dish that is sure to become a favorite in your household. It’s easy to prepare, flavorful, and satisfying, making it a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend meal with friends and family.

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Le Creuset Skillet

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 11.75" (2-3/8 qt.), Cerise
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What You Need…

  • Firm Tofu
  • Orange juice and zest
  • Garlic, fresh and minced
  • Ginger, fresh and minced
  • Corn starch
  • Scallions

How to Make Crispy Orange Tofu

CRISPY ORANGE TOFU MARINADE INGREDIENTS
Press the tofu and prepare the marinade
CRISPY ORANGE TOFU MARINADED
Add the marinade to the tofu
CRISPY ORANGE TOFU MARINADED 2
Apply the marinade and allow to soak for 10- 15 minutes.
COATING TOFU WITH CORNSTARCH FOR CRISPY ORNAGE TOFU_
Mix with sweet soy sauce then dredge in corn starch and flour mixture.
COOKING TOFU FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU_
Pan fry
COOKED CRISPY ORANGE TOFU_
Cook until crispy on all sides.
INGREDIENTS FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Ingredients for orange sauce.
PREP INGREDIENTS FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Processed ingredients for orange sauce.
COOKING ONIONS AND GARLIC FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Toast the garlic and ginger.
COOKING, RED CHILI, SUGAR, ONIONS AND GARLIC FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Add sugar and crushed red pepper.
COOKING, SCALLIONS, RED CHILI, SUGAR, ONIONS AND GARLIC FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Add scallions.
COOKING, ORNAGE , SCALLIONS, RED CHILI, SUGAR, ONIONS AND GARLIC FOR CRISPY ORANGE TOFU SAUCE
Wait until the very end of the cooking to orange zest.
ORANGE TOFU
Serve with broccoli and jasmine rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Chefs Tips

  • Make the sauce first then once the tofu is finished, toss in the sauce and enjoy.
  • If you don’t have sweet soy sauce, just add brown sugar to your soy sauce.
  • Need to find a substitute? Check out our Switcharoo page.
ORANGE TOFU
Those Vegan Chefs

Orange Tofu

5 from 1 vote
Crispy Orange Tofu – a vegan alternative to the famous Orange Chicken dish from Panda Express that's just as flavorful and delicious as the original.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 508
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Tofu marinade
  • 14 oz firm tofu (1 pack)
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp black vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp salt kosher
Wet Dredging
  • 1 Tbsp sweet soy sauce
Dry Dredging
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking the tofu)
Orange Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp ginger minced
  • 1 Tbsp garlic diced
  • ½ tsp red chili flakes
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • ½ cup scallions sliced

Method
 

How to Make Tofu Marinade
  1. Press the tofu for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Combine the black vinegar, poultry seasoning, sesame oil, soy sauce, and kosher salt, and stir.
  3. Pour the marinade over the tofu, using your hands to rub the marinade into the tofu.
  4. Set aside.
How to make the Dry Dredging mixture
  1. Combine the cornstarch and flour.
How to make the Orange Sauce
  1. Heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, and lightly toast the garlic and ginger.
  2. Add the sugar and red chili flakes, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  3. The sliced scallions are added next and stirred to combine.
  4. Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cornstarch. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch.
  5. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot.
  6. Cook stirring until the sauce is thick. About 2 minutes.
  7. Set aside.
How to Cook Crispy Tofu
  1. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat with olive oil.
  2. Coat the tofu with cornstarch mixture.
  3. Once the olive oil is hot add some of the coated tofu.
  4. Cook all sides of the tofu until crispy and golden brown.
  5. Gently heat the orange sauce, add the crispy tofu, and serve.

Notes

Nutritional values are an estimate.

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