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Close-up of finished General Tso's tofu served over rice and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onion.

General Tso’s Tofu

Ashley
This General Tso’s Tofu recipe is a plant-based take on a classic takeout favorite. Crispy, golden tofu is tossed in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy sauce for an easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor. Serve it over rice for a delicious homemade takeout-style meal!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Lunch/Dinner, Main, Main Course, Meal Prep
Cuisine Chinese-American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (16-ounce) block extra-firm tofu, pressed and torn into 1 ½ - inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, divided
  • ¾ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon MSG, optional
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as avocado or canola
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 8 cloves fresh minced garlic
  • 4-6 Thai chiles
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
  • Cooked rice, for serving, optional
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
  • Thinly sliced green onion, for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air-fryer to 400°F.
  • While that’s preheating, place the tofu in a large bowl and sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and ½ teaspoon red chili flakes. Toss gently until the tofu is thoroughly coated.
  • Arrange the tofu in a single layer in your air-fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air-fryer). Air fry at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through, until the tofu is golden brown and crisp around the edges. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the remaining tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Add the low-sodium broth, dark soy sauce, MSG (if using), and the remaining rice vinegar, pepper, and chili flakes. Whisk once more to combine and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and sauté, stirring often, until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the Thai chiles, garlic and ginger and continue to cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the crispy tofu and toss to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve over rice, garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onion. Enjoy!

Video

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