Sweet, sticky and just simply delicious. This Orange Tofu recipe is better and faster than take-out and it’s also easy to make! Don’t like tofu? This Orange Tofu recipe is going to change your mind.
![Orange-tofu-5 Orange tofu topped with spring onions and sesame seeds in a blue and white bowl with rice and half an orange on the side.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-5.jpg)
I can literally drool because of how good that looks. Not too long ago, tofu wasn’t really our jam. That changed when we started to learn how to actually make tofu taste delicious. And once we got the hang of it, we were sold on tofu. I could now literally eat tofu all day, every day. And for this particular orange tofu recipe, you can wake me up at night. I won’t mind. So if you’re still on the fence about tofu, give this orange tofu recipe a try and you might just be surprised how delicious it can be.
The Ingredients
![Ingredients-orange-tofu The ingredients for the orange tofu recipe on a wooden table.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ingredients-orange-tofu.jpg)
- Tofu – use extra-firm or super-firm tofu for the best results. If you are not yet familiar with the different types of tofu, please be aware not to buy silken tofu for this recipe. You will regret it if you do.
- Orange – the natural sugars in the orange juice will help the orange sauce to thicken and become lovely and sticky.
- Hoisin sauce – not a traditional or common ingredient in orange tofu, but it 100% works. The sweet and salty profile of hoisin sauce really elevates the orange sauce.
- Corn starch – the corn starch will help the outside of the tofu crisp up while baking/frying.
- Ginger and garlic – add a kick to the orange sauce and make it nice and fragrant.
![Orange-tofu-3 Orange tofu topped with sesame seeds and spring onions in a blue bowl with chopsticks and rice on the side.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-3.jpg)
Cooking Tips
- When pan-frying the tofu, make sure the oil is hot before adding in the tofu. You want the tofu to start sizzling straight away once added into the pan. That’s how you know it’s crisping up.
- You really want to make sure that the outside of the tofu is as dry as possible. Use a clean and dry kitchen towel or kitchen paper to (carefully) pat-dry the tofu. When the tofu is still moist, it won’t really crisp up and you will most likely end up with soggy tofu.
- When pan-frying the tofu, resist the urge to start stirring and flipping the tofu too soon. For the best results, you want to give it some time to properly crisp up.
![Orange-tofu-2 Crispy fried tofu pieces in a black skillet.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-2.jpg)
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it spicy – if you like it spicy, add some grated fresh chili, chili powder or some szechuan pepper.
- For the sweet tooth – if you’re a sweet tooth and you don’t mind adding in some extra sugar, you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar or a tablespoon of maple syrup to the sauce.
- Hoisin sauce – if you don’t have hoisin sauce or simply don’t want to use it, you can use the same amount of soy sauce instead.
- Add more orange – to make the orange sauce taste even more like orange, add some orange zest to taste. Make sure you buy organic oranges in that case, though.
![Orange-tofu-6 A hand picks up a piece of orange tofu with chopsticks.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-6.jpg)
FAQ
![Orange-tofu-4 Orange tofu topped with spring onions and sesame seeds in a blue and white bowl with chopsticks and half an orange on the side.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-4.jpg)
![Orange tofu topped with spring onions and sesame seeds in a blue and white bowl.](https://lifeinourkitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Orange-tofu-square-150x150.jpg)
Orange Tofu
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Sweet, sticky and just simply delicious. This orange tofu recipe is better and faster than take-out and it’s also easy to make.Â
Ingredients
- 8.8 oz (250 grams) extra-firm or super-firm tofu
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 orange, juiced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 inch piece ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, grated
Optional:
- Sesame seeds
- Spring onion
- Rice for serving
Instructions
- Gently pat-dry the tofu using a clean kitchen towel or kitchen paper. Cut into cubes and add to a mixing bowl.Â
- Place a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add the oil.
- Add the soy sauce to the tofu cubes and mix until combined.Â
- Next, add the corn starch and stir until evenly coated.Â
- Add the tofu to the pan and bake until golden all around. For the best results, allow the tofu to fry on each side for about 2 minutes.Â
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining hoisin sauce, orange juice, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic in a small bowl.Â
- Once the tofu is ready, add the sauce and allow to cook for 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened, is nice and sticky and coats the tofu cubes.
- Serve and if using, top with sesame seeds and spring onions. Serve with rice or enjoy as is.
Notes
Nutritional facts are estimates. If you want to be sure about the nutritional facts, be sure to check your product labels.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-fried
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 253kcal
- Sugar: 7,7g
- Sodium: 0,57g
- Fat: 13,8g
- Saturated Fat: 1,5g
- Carbohydrates: 15,7g
- Fiber: 2,6g
- Protein: 15,6g