Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe

Crispy Orange Tofu is pan-fried until golden and crunchy, then served in orange bowls and topped with a sweet, citrusy orange sauce. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and so fun to make. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!

Crispy Orange Tofu Recipe

Serving: 2 to 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

For the crispy tofu:
1 (14-ounces) package firm tofu, cut into cubes
1/6 teaspoon salt
1 cup cornstarch
1 large egg, beaten
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons avocado oil, or other high-smoking point oil

For the sauce:
2 large oranges
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/6 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons water

Crispy Orange Tofu Instructions

1. Prepare the oranges:

• To make the orange bowls, slice each orange crosswise just through the peel, avoiding the flesh. Use your thumb to gently separate the fruit from the peel, keeping the peel intact as a bowl.
• Juice the orange flesh (you’ll get about ½ cup of juice from 2 oranges). Set the juice aside and reserve the bowls for serving.

2. Bread the tofu:

• Cut the tofu into cubes and lightly season with salt. This not only adds flavor but helps draw out moisture for better texture.
• Dip each tofu cube into cornstarch, then beaten egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat until all tofu pieces are breaded.

3. Cook and make the sauce:

• Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the breaded tofu and pan-fry until crispy and golden on all sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• To make the sauce, add the orange juice, ½ cup water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to a small pot over low heat. Whisk to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
• In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir it into the pot and cook until the sauce thickens.

4. Serve:

• Place the crispy tofu inside the orange peel bowls and drizzle generously with the warm orange sauce—or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & notes

• Make it vegan: Replace the egg with a plant-based binder like a flax egg or soy milk to help the breadcrumbs stick.
• Crunch control: For extra crispiness, double-bread the tofu—dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice before frying.
• No juicer? Simply squeeze the oranges by hand and strain out any pulp or seeds.