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A stunning platter showcasing the finished dish – orange glazed tofu with vibrant garnishes and side dishes.

Orange Glazed Tofu

Ashley
This orange glazed tofu is crispy, sticky, and tangy! Fresh-squeezed orange juice, lots of garlic, and fresh jalapeño brighten this dish and take it to a whole new level … dare I say even better than takeout!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine American-Chinese
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Tofu

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 16-ounce block of super-firm or extra-firm tofu pressed for 20-30 minutes
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely diced
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar or vegan- friendly light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, whisked with 2 tablespoons water (this is your cornstarch slurry)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

For Garnish/Serving:

  • Toaste sesame seeds
  • Thinly sliced green onions
  • Orange zest, cut into thin strips
  • Cooked white or brown rice, optional

Instructions
 

Crispy Tofu

  • In a bowl, mix together cornstarch, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Using your hands, tear the tofu into bite-size pieces and gently toss the tofu pieces in the marinade, making sure they are well coated. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
  • Place enough vegetable oil over medium-high heat to cover the bottom of a large sauté pan by about an inch. Once hot, add the marinated tofu cubes, ensuring they are spaced out for even cooking. Cook each side until golden brown and crispy, usually about 3-5 minutes per side. You may need to work in batches.
  • Once the tofu is crispy and golden, remove it from the pan and let it drain on a paper towel.

Orange Glaze

  • Meanwhile, prepare the orange glaze. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the jalapeño, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring often, until the jalapeño is tender and the garlic is fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in the orange juice, sugar, vinegar, tamari, cornstarch slurry, and sesame oil, whisking to combine. Increase the heat to high. Once the glaze comes to a light boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the glaze reduces by about one-quarter, stirring every few minutes, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Next, place the fried tofu in a large bowl. When the glaze has thickened, pour it into the bowl with the tofu, tossing to coat the tofu in the glaze.
  • To serve, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and orange zest. Enjoy over rice or by itself!
Keyword air fried tofu, air fryer tofu, crispy tofu, crispy tofu dish, easy plant-based cooking, fried tofu recipes, orange glazed tofu recipe, orange tofu, quick and flavorful tofu dishes, vegan asian cuisine
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