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This One-Pan Crispy Orange Tofu is packed with flavour and comes together in under 30 minutes. This dish makes the perfect one pan weeknight dinner that tastes just like takeout, but lighter and healthier.
Table of Contents
If you love quick and flavourful tofu recipes, this Crispy Orange Tofu will quickly become a recipe you’ll make on repeat! I’ve made dozens of 5-star tofu dishes for the blog over the years from Peanut Butter Tofu to Crispy Sesame Tofu, and many more, so I’ve perfected how to make a perfect tofu dish. And this Orange Tofu checks all the boxes. The tofu becomes perfectly crisp, then gets coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce that is packed with flavour.
Everything comes together in one pan, just like my Honey Garlic Tofu making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without a lot of prep. Serve it over rice, noodles, or steamed veggies for a simple and balanced dinner.
Recipe Highlights
- 30 minute dinner: Quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights. Pair with some 30-minute Baked Dumplings for a delicious side!
- One pan recipe: Minimal cleanup and no complicated steps made entirely in one pan on the stovetop.
- Crispy and saucy: The tofu turns golden and the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze that coats each tofu cube perfectly.
- Simple ingredients: Made with fresh oranges, pantry staples, and extra firm tofu.
Key Ingredients
- Tofu: I recommend using firm or extra firm tofu for crispiness. Save the soft tofu to make some Mapo Tofu.
- Cornstarch: Don’t skip this! This is the secret ingredient that will help make each tofu cube extra crispy.
- Orange juice: Use freshly squeezed for the best taste. If needed substitute with bought orange juice.
*This is a recipe overview. The full recipe with measurements is below in the recipe card.
How To Make Orange Tofu
Step 1: Cut the tofu into cubes and coat with oil and cornstarch. You can alternatively rip the tofu into “nuggets” like I do in this Gochujang Tofu recipe.
Step 2: Pan-fry the tofu in a pan on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.
Step 3: Prepare the sauce and add it to the pan on medium-high heat until it begins to bubble.
Step 4: Add the tofu and toss until evenly coated.
Step 5: Serve over rice with some sliced scallions and sesame seeds.
Recipe Variations
- Make it spicy: Add chili flakes or a squeeze of sriracha to the sauce.
- Add veggies: Broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or bok choy would stir fry up well with this tofu. You can follow the directions in this Tofu Stir Fry for how to cook the veggies.
How To Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan for best texture or in the microwave if you are short on time.
Jess’s Tips
- Use firm or extra-firm tofu: Firm tofus hold their shape and gives you the crispiest texture once coated in sauce.
- Press the tofu well: Removing moisture helps the tofu brown properly instead of steaming.
- Coat evenly in cornstarch: A light, even coating is what makes the tofu crisp and allows the sauce to cling.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan: Give each piece space so it browns on all sides.
- Simmer the sauce first: Let the orange sauce bubble and thicken slightly before adding the tofu. For another saucy tofu recipe also try this General Tso’s Tofu.
- Serve right away: Orange tofu is crispiest when enjoyed immediately after tossing in the sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bake at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp, flipping halfway.
Yes. Air fry tofu cubes at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp or follow the directions for my Crispy Air Fryer Tofu.
Orange tofu is delicious over rice, brown rice, or rice noodles. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables or a side salad like this Asian Cucumber Salad or Thai Peanut Noodle Salad.
Try These Tofu Recipes Next!
If you tried this One Pan Crispy Orange Tofu or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!
One Pan Crispy Orange Tofu
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main
- Method: Pan Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Orange Tofu is made in one pan for a quick and easy high-protein Vegetarian and Vegan meal!
Ingredients
Tofu
- 1 pack extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into 2-inch pieces or cubes
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp avocado or canola oil for frying
Orange sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2-inch cube ginger, finely chopped
- 1 and 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 4 tsp orange zest
- 4 tbsp tamari (can sub soy sauce)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3–4 tbsp coconut sugar (can sub brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
For serving
- Rice or noodles
- sliced green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Pat the tofu dry and cut it into cubes. Add the tofu to a bowl and toss with cornstarch until all sides are lightly coated.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the tofu and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- While the tofu cooks, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
- Transfer the cooked tofu to a plate lined with paper towel. Carefully pour out any excess oil from the pan.
- Pour the sauce into the pan and cook over medium heat until it begins to bubble and thicken slightly.
- Add the tofu back into the pan and toss gently until every piece is coated in the sticky orange sauce.
- Serve warm over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Notes
- Use extra firm tofu for the best texture.
- Press the tofu to help it crisp in the pan.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan so the tofu browns evenly.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens before adding the tofu.
- Serve immediately for the crispest texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
I was patient w the tofu like suggested and it was nicely golden. The sauce is really good, the only down side was I ended up w a lot left over.
Happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Yummy! I wish it had made more sauce, otherwise really good ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it Lisa!
This was recommended to me by a co-worker and has made it into our regular rotation. We added broccoli and red pepper, and served it over rice and riced cauliflower. It was delicious!
Thanks for the review Tiffany! So happy you like this recipe-it’s one of my favourites for an easy weeknight dinner
We love love love this recipe! I am making it for more people today (1/2 tofu, 1/2 chicken for the carnivores that won’t eat tofu) and will make a double batch of sauce. I am going to make it this morning (for dinner tonight) to minimize what I have to do once family (all vaccinated) is over. I think I will wait to add the corn starch till dinner time. Hope it goes well!
Happy to hear you’re enjoying the recipe Julie! 🙂
So I didn’t have quite enough orange juice for this recipe, so I added a bit of water. I wasn’t sure if that’s why my sauce wouldn’t thicken, or if I just wasn’t patient enough, BUT I just looked at the recipe again and realized I didn’t add the cornstarch. D:
It was still tasty, so I’ll definitely give this another shot, hopefully w/o screwing it up!
Hi Cheryl, cornstarch is the “secret” ingredient to getting a thick sauce! Promise it will turn out much better the next time around when you use it 🙂
Best recipe! So good that there were no left overs the first night, so we made a fresh batch the next night!
Thanks Kathleen! Happy you love it 🙂
I love this recipe! Very tasty and the ingredients are simple!
Thanks Britt! Happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
I baked the tofu and was really happy with how crispy it came out.
The sauce was way too tangy for me, I even added more sugar during cooking to tone it down. Perhaps my oranges were not very sweet. Note: I used palm sugar initially, then raw sugar during cooking. I also added some red pepper flakes which added a nice kick.
I would reduce the amount of vinegar and increase the sugar next time. Overall, I was pleased with this and would make it again.
Happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Wonderful recipe. Only change I made was baking the tofu vs. pop an frying. Thanks for the easy and simple but delicious recipe
Your welcome Melissa! Happy you enjoyed!
This was so delicious and easy to make!! Thanks for this great recipe!
Thanks so much Sarah 🙂