Baked Tofu with Sweet Orange Ginger Sauce

This Baked Tofu with a sweet orange ginger sauce is packed with crispy baked tofu in a delicious sweet and savory sticky orange sauce. Serve it with some Crispy Asian Broccoli and Healthy Fried Rice for a vegetarian Chinese takeout inspired meal at home.

When it comes to affordable protein options, tofu should be at the top of your list. For about $1.50 in most stores, you can buy a 14 ounce block of tofu that can feed a family of four when paired with sides. It's low in calories, packed with plant-based protein, and has a mild flavor that soaks up sauces and seasoning. Prepared correctly, tofu is a protein that most people find they enjoy. 

If you haven't tried tofu before, this is the recipe to start with. The tofu is baked until it is crispy and then covered in this delicious "orange chicken" style sauce that's sweet and savory and just a touch spicy. So good. And if you love tofu, like I do, add this to the top of your list of tofu recipes. It's a keeper. 

How to Bake Tofu

The key to this recipe is making the crispy baked tofu. This gives the tofu a pleasant texture and ensures there isn't any mush, which is why most people don't think they like tofu. Here's how to bake tofu that's browned and crispy.

1. Press the tofu: Whenever you cook tofu, you always want to start by pressing out the liquid in the tofu. You can either use a tofu press (highly recommended if you eat a lot of tofu) or press it your self. Simply remove the tofu from the package, rinse it, and then slice it into horizontal planks, about an inch thick. Then place those planks between a couple of clean kitchen towels or paper towels. Place something heavy on top, like some canned goods or books, and let the tofu "press" for 15-30 minutes. 
2. Cut into cubes: Cut the tofu into cubes for the best results since this gives you lots of crispy edges. You can also bake in planks or "sticks" but cubes turn out the best in my opinion.
3. Don't overcrowd the pan: The toss the tofu with some oil, any spices you like and place them on a baking sheet. The key here is not to overcrowd the pan. The tofu needs space to crisp up and if it is overcrowded, it will just steam.  For extra crispy tofu, toss the tofu in cornstarch after tossing it in oil. 
4. Bake for at least 30 minutes: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Bake the tofu for 15-20 minutes until the bottom of the tofu is beginning to brown and easily releases from the baking sheet. Flip it over and cook for 15-20 minutes on the other side. It's ready when it is browned and crisp.

What to Serve with Orange Baked Tofu

There are lots of different options to serve this easy tofu dish from simple steamed rice and veggies to more elaborate options. For all of these, you may want to double or triple up the sauce to drizzle on your side dishes. 

• You will want to add some vegetables to this dish and there are so many options. My personal favorite options are cooked in the oven at the same time as the tofu like this Crispy Cabbage or Honey Garlic Carrots.
• Grab some cooked brown rice, quinoa, white rice, or make some Cauliflower Fried Rice for a lighter option.
• Another option we love is using spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles to create a lighter option that pairs great with the tofu.
• These make great lettuce wraps with some butter lettuce and cooked rice or soba noodles. 
• Make Asian inspired tacos with an Asian slaw and warmed corn tortillas. You'll want some extra Sriracha on the side.

Common questions about tofu

What is tofu? Tofu is made from soy milk that is curdled and then pressed into blocks, sort of like how cheese is made. It's

What does tofu taste like? Tofu has a mild flavor, sort of like unsweetened soy milk. It soaks up flavors and ends up tasting like the seasoning or sauce it is cooked with. 

How many calories does tofu have? Tofu has 70 calories in a 3 ounce serving along with 8 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fat, and 10% of your daily calcium needs.

Looking for more tofu recipes?

• Chili Glazed Tofu with Sugar Snap Peas
• Sesame Tofu with Broccoli
• Tofu Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Kung Pao Tofu