Orange Tofu (Air Fryer Recipe) (2024)

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Easy orange tofu recipe with pillowy soft center and caramelized crispy edges tossed in a thick and zesty orange sauce. It can be cooked in the air fryer without oil, pan fried or oven bake. Make it spicy with a pinch of red chili or keep it mild to your liking. Vegan, gluten free recipe.

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Orange Tofu Recipe

Bursting with orange flavor and better than Panda Express, this tofu orange chicken is actually healthy and good for you, quick and easy to make and ready in 20 minutes.

A riff on the peanut tofu from the other day but with a completely different flavor profile.I still followed the basic prep of the tofu, got itperfectly crispy in the air fryer and tossed it in my homemade orange sauce.

A light dusting of tapioca helps the tofu develop a perfectly crisp thin crust without the need of any oil at all.

Preparing the Tofu:

  1. After pressing the tofu make sure to tear it into irregular bite size pieces. Do not cut it into perfect squares or triangles, you want a rustic texture with irregular curves and edges that will give you lots of caramelized little bits all over the surface.
  2. Toss with tapioca and air fry, bake or pan fry before coating it in that delicious sauce.

how to make the orange sauce / glaze:

  • Whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, almond butter, orange peel and apple cider vinegar. Reduce on medium low flame for a couple of minutes, just until a thick and sticky texture is achieved.
  • Note – You can make the glaze using almond, cashew or walnut butter but not peanut butter which would overwhelm it. It only works with a milder flavor nut butter like the ones mentioned. You really want the orange from both the juice and the peel to shine through and not get lost.

FAQ:

  1. Is tofu vegan? Absolutely 100% cruelty-free vegan recipe!
  2. Should I marinade the tofu? Not in this case, the marinade isn’t necessary as you’ll be tossing it all in a luscious glaze after all.
  3. What’s the best air fryer ? I only have experience with my Cuisinart Air Fryer and Breville which I absolutely love. They both double down as a spacious toaster and convection oven, we literally use it every day.
  4. Is soy healthy ? Spend some time with some unbiased scientific research papers on soy foods and you’ll be amazed at all the health benefits. Dr. Michael Greger breaks them down into short digestible videos over on the NutritionFacts.org website.

what to serve with:

  • these favorite noodles
  • steamed or roasted broccoli
  • bell pepper stir fry
  • sauteed asparagus & bok choy
  • vegan fried rice
  • fresh chives + sesame seeds
  • a bowl of brown rice.

P.S. As always, if you make this recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it totally makes my day! ~ Florentina Xo’s

Orange Tofu (Air Fryer Recipe) (7)

5 from 4 votes

Orange Tofu ~ Air Fryer Recipe

Zesty orange tofu with pillowy soft center and caramelized crispy edges, cooked in the air fryer without oil then tossed in a thick orange glaze.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Press the Tofu:2 hours hrs

Total Time:20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 14 oz block firm tofu, organic non-GMO
  • 1 tbsp tapioca
  • sea salt to taste

Orange Glaze:

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Air fry the Tofu:

  • Drain the tofu and wrap it in a tea towel patting dry as much of the moisture as possible. Place a heavy pan on top and allow to press at room temperature for a couple of hours.

  • Use your hands and tear the tofu into irregular 1.5 inch pieces. Sprinkle with the tapioca and a pinch of sea salt and toss to coat well.

  • Place the tofu in the air-fryer tray without touching each other.Air fry at 400”F for 14 minutes tossing half way. Do not overcook the tofu or it will dry out too much. Remove it from the air fryer as soon as the time is up even if you aren’t using it right away.(To avoid any crumbs falling in the bottom you can line the tray with parchment paper).

Make the Orange Sauce:

  • Whisk all the glaze ingredients together until combined. Transfer to a skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook on medium flame until thick and sticky, about two minutes or so.

  • Add the air fried tofu to the orange sauce and toss to coat well.Serve over noodles or a bed of rice garnished with the fresh chives, scallions, sesame seeds or extra red chili for heat.

Oven Method:

  • Coat the pressed tofu with a light spray of olive oil, a light dusting of tapioca or cornstarch and a good pinch of salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders. Place on a parchment covered baking sheet preferably without touching each other in one single layer. Bake the seasoned tofu in a preheated oven at 400”F for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and crispy to your liking flipping it half way. Toss with the orange glaze and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1017mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 23.9mg | Calcium: 312mg | Iron: 3.5mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Orange Tofu, plant based, tofu, vegan,

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 323kcal

Author: Florentina

Tofu Recipes:

Orange Tofu (Air Fryer Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How long do you cook tofu in the air fryer? ›

Air fry at 400°F for 11-15 minutes, tossing halfway so that the tofu cooks evenly on all sides. The tofu is ready when it's crisp and browned around the edges. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of cooking, as the exact cooking time will depend on your specific air fryer. That's it!

Why won t my tofu get crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

Is tofu better pan fried or air fried? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

How to make great tasting tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

How do you know if tofu is cooked enough? ›

If you're cooking slices or cubes, cut the tofu into slices, layer them between paper towels and weigh down the individual slices. The finished tofu should be spongy yet dry (you'll need to weigh it down for 30 minutes to 2 hours).

How many minutes do you put in the air fryer? ›

Air-Fryer Cooking Chart
FOODTEMPERATUREAIR-FRYER TIME
Burgers350°F8-10 minutes
Chicken Breast375°F22-23 minutes
Chicken Tenders400°F14-16 minutes
Chicken Thighs400°F25 minutes
42 more rows
Mar 2, 2022

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? ›

Rice flour—not to be confused with rice starch—is another cornstarch alternative. It's made from finely milled rice and is naturally gluten-free. “I do like rice flour for certain crispy moments, like in fried chicken batter or to coat tofu cubes,” Kendra says.

How to stop tofu from sticking to the air fryer? ›

After the hot water soak, it's still important to completely blot the pieces of tofu dry so that they don't stick to the air fryer. Combining the soak, thorough blot drying, and a good dusting of arrowroot powder will get you nicely crispy results!

Do I need to press tofu before air frying? ›

This recipe for air fryer tofu is, hands down, the best way to get delicious, super crispy tofu with a soft middle! This recipe is easy to make, has terrific crunchy texture, and is done in about 12 minutes—so quick! For best results, use firm or extra firm tofu and press the tofu before cooking.

What to pair tofu with? ›

Best Vegan Side Dishes for Grilled Tofu at a Barbecue or Cookout
  • Vegan Dill Potato Salad with Fiddleheads (No Mayo) ...
  • Herb Grilled Vegetables. ...
  • Vegan Spinach Salad Recipe with Maple Balsamic Dressing. ...
  • Fresh Tomato Lime Salad Dressing with Cilantro. ...
  • Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing.
Jul 12, 2021

Can you put tin foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What can I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

How many minutes should I cook tofu? ›

Allow tofu to cook, undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes or until the underside is golden brown and crispy. Step 2: Flip the tofu pieces and season the cooked side with salt. Allow the second side to cook for an additional 4 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and crispy.

What is the best temp for frying tofu? ›

Cut the tofu up into easy-to-eat squares and cover these entire surfaces with flour. Heat the deep-frying oil to 180℃ (356F) and place the tofu squares inside, deep-fry for 4~5 minutes until crispy. Remove from the oil and sprinkle on soy sauce prior to eating.

What does it mean to press tofu for 30 minutes? ›

Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel then put it on a large plate with a lip. Put something heavy such as a frying pan on top, weight it down further with cans and jars, and leave for 30 mins. The tofu will be about two-thirds its original thickness, and up to 100ml water will have been removed.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.

References

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