Crispy Baked Orange Tofu

This Chinese takeout-inspired Orange Tofu Recipe tosses the most amazing crispy tofu in a sticky, sweet orange sauce for an easy and delicious dinner the whole family will love.

For more easy tofu dinners, check out my General Tso’s Tofu, Sticky Sriracha Tofu, and Sweet and Sour Tofu recipes while you’re here.

close up on orange tofu with orange slices on the side and sliced green onions on top.

Just one bite of this Crispy Orange Tofu reminds me of my pre-vegan dinners at one particular popular food chain. I used to love their orange chicken, but now I rely on this veganized version to kick my cravings. By swapping the meat for the most delectable crispy baked tofu nuggets and dousing them in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, I’m still left with a dreamy takeout-inspired dinner.

Like my Peanut Tofu and Black Pepper Tofu recipes, you can always rely on my crispy orange tofu recipe when you need an easy weeknight meal or when the kids are begging for Chinese takeout. All you have to do is get some rice cooking, bake the tofu, make your orange sauce, and then mix it all together. No one will even notice that you didn’t order in!

Why you’ll love this orange tofu recipe

A takeout favorite made vegan – This orange tofu recipe honestly tastes better than the take-out I used to get. It’s easy to make and always a family favorite, too!
Meaty baked tofu – Leave it to the oven to give you the meatiest, crispiest, and most tender baked tofu pieces. Or, if you’re in a hurry, feel free to pan-fry or air fry the tofu instead.
A simple sticky orange sauce – Freshly squeezed orange juice, pantry staples, a little bit of sugar, aromatics, and cornstarch are all you need to make the delicious orange sauce.

How to make baked orange tofu

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Press the tofu to drain the excess liquid for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

After pressing, slice the tofu into cubes and place them in a large ziplock bag, along with the olive oil or soy sauce and cornstarch. Close the bag and shake to coat.

Arrange the coated tofu cubes in a single layer on the lined baking sheet and bake until they’re crispy and lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Would you rather pan-fry or air fry the tofu? Head to the FAQs below for instructions.

tofu cubes and cornstarch in a large ziplock bag.

Next, make the orange sauce by combining all of the ingredients (except the cornstarch and water) in a large skillet. Whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl.

Heat the sauce to a boil, then pour the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and stir continuously until it thickens.

orange sauce for orange tofu in a large black skillet.

Add the baked tofu pieces to the pan and stir to coat in the sticky orange sauce. Remove from the heat and serve the vegan orange chicken right away with cooked brown or white rice or quinoa, a side of steamed broccoli or cauliflower, and green onions and/or sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!

baked tofu cubes in a black skillet with orange sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to bake the tofu?

Not if you don’t want to. I prefer to bake the tofu because I find it yields the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, meaty-on-the-inside texture, but you can follow my Air Fryer Tofu or Perfect Fried Tofu recipes if you prefer a quicker method. Once they’re done frying, toss the tofu in the sauce as normal.

How do you press tofu?

A tofu press is the easiest way! If you don’t have a tofu press, you can wrap the brick of tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place something heavy on top, like a large skillet or a heavy cookbook. Set it aside for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour to drain.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, this orange tofu isn’t inherently gluten-free, but you can easily make it gluten-free by swapping the soy sauce for tamari or gluten-free soy sauce in the orange sauce.

What can I use instead of tofu?

Experiment with roasted orange cauliflower, soy curls, tempeh or a few can of chickpeas for a lighter option. Or, for a version that’s as close to real orange chicken as possible, tear up pieces of my pre-cooked Vegan Chicken or even store-bought vegan chicken. Toss them in the sauce just as you would the tofu, then serve.

How long do the leftovers last?

The leftover orange tofu will keep for 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Let the leftovers cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container.

vegan orange tofu served over white rice in a bowl.

*This recipe was originally posted in Jan. 2018 and has been updated with new photos and writing Sept. 2024.

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