Crispy Orange Tofu

Learn how to make the crispiest orange tofu at home with a few simple ingredients and your air fryer! Crispy, chewy tofu coated in a sweet and zesty orange sauce, then served over fluffy white rice with sesame seeds and green onion.

It’s a homemade Chinese tofu recipe you can have ready to eat in 30 minutes.

Recipe was updated 04/09/2024.

A cheaper, healthier alternative to Panda Express 

Orange chicken is a Chinese fast food staple for a reason…It’s absolutely delicious! But it’s no secret that it’s not-so-healthy comfort food that’s also really expensive. 

This homemade version is not only gluten-free and vegan-friendly (great if you’re missing their Vegan Orange Chicken option!) but also about 1/4 of the price. Make it for the whole family for the price of one.

​And if that’s not enough reason to make orange tofu for dinner, it’s also: 

• ✅ Vegan
• ✅ Gluten-free
• ✅ Made with significantly less oil (thank you air fryer!)
• ✅ Delicious on top of rice, noodles, and more
• ✅ No tofu press required

It’s simply one of those air fryer tofu recipes that’s so good, you won’t believe it’s not chicken!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Tofu: For the crispiest tofu, you need to use extra firm tofu or super firm tofu. I have tried this recipe using medium tofu and it is far too soft and moist. 
• Soy sauce: Used to add umami flavor to the tofu as well as the orange sauce. If you are sensitive to sodium, a low-sodium soy sauce will work. Coconut aminos is far too sweet and will unfortunately not work. If you are gluten-free, use tamari. 
• Oil: Any neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point will work. I used vegetable oil, but avocado oil would be a great alternative. Sesame oil is not recommended.
• Cornstarch: Essential for making the tofu crispy as well as thickening the sauce. Arrowroot starch and tapioca starch are not recommended.
• Orange juice: For the best, sweet orange flavor, freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended. Fresh orange juice is naturally sweeter than store-bought and has a much stronger flavor. If you love the flavor of oranges, feel free to add 1-2 teaspoons of freshly grated orange zest for a boost! 
• Sugar: Regular cane sugar adds the most neutral sweetness. If preferred, you can also use coconut sugar or brown sugar. Liquid sweeteners like maple syrup and honey will make the sauce too thin. 
• Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy acidity that balances the sweetness and saltiness. In a pinch, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can do the trick. 
• Fresh garlic and ginger: Fresh is key and helps to add depth of flavor to the orange tofu sauce. 
• Red pepper flakes: A small pinch of chili flakes adds a slight kick that balances the sweetness. Feel free to omit, if desired. Or, if you like spicy food, try my Kung Pao Cauliflower and General Tso’s Tofu next!

How to Make the Crispiest Orange Tofu

1. Freeze and thaw the tofu. Before I lose you, you can absolutely skip this step BUT if you have the time, I recommend it. Freezing tofu causes the water inside to expand, creating larger ice crystals. When the tofu is thawed and then pressed, this creates small airy, holes in the tofu and yields a tofu that is chewier – very similar to chicken! Simply toss the package in the freezer for about 8 hours, then transfer it back to the fridge until fully thawed. 
2. Pat the tofu dry. Remove the tofu from the packaging and pat the outside of the brick as dry as possible with paper towels or a clean, lint-free kitchen towel.
3. Tear the tofu into bite-sized chunks. Unlike uniform tofu cubes that look suspiciously like tofu, this method creates bite-sized chunks that resemble chicken. Great for tofu skeptics that could use a more visual appeal! 
4. Coat the tofu. Place the bite-sized tofu pieces in a medium-sized mixing bowl and toss with soy sauce and vegetable oil. Once coated, sprinkle with cornstarch and toss again. 
5. Air fry for 20 minutes. Add the tofu to your air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry the tofu for 20 minutes at 400F, or until extra crispy and golden brown.

1. Make the sticky orange sauce. While the tofu cooks, prepare the orange sauce. In a medium-sized bowl or 2-cup measuring cup, whisk together the orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 
2. Make a cornstarch slurry. In a separate small mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to form a cornstarch slurry. 
3. Heat the sweet orange sauce. Once the tofu is ready, pour the orange sauce into a large skillet over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk to combine. Continue to simmer for a minute or two, or until the sauce thickens. 
4. Fold in the tofu. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the crispy tofu. Toss until the tofu is evenly coated. 
5. Serve immediately. Enjoy orange tofu immediately while crispy over white or brown rice and your favorite stir-fried veggies, if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh green onions. 

Alternative Cooking Methods 

No air fryer? No problem. Here are 2 other ways to make crispy, restaurant tofu at home:

• Oven-Baked Tofu: Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Toss the tofu in soy sauce and vegetable oil followed by the corn starch. Carefully spread in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes, tossing after 25 minutes. 
• Pan-fried Tofu: Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Toss the tofu in soy sauce and vegetable oil followed by the corn starch. Add the coated tofu to the hot oil and pan fry on each side for about 3 minutes, or until crispy on all sides. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil. 

Additional Serving Suggestions

Serving over white jasmine rice with a side of veggies is my personal go-to, but it’s not the only way to enjoy this takeout style dish. Here are a few of my favorite rice alternatives and side dishes that you might love: 

Storage Instructions

Crispy orange tofu is really best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Freezing is not recommended.