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    Home » Mains

    Vegan Orange Chicken (Tofu)

    Updated: Jan 23, 2020 by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

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    Vegan Orange Chicken in a white bowl with rice broccoli and chopsticks

    Vegan Orange Chicken! The best vegan take on Panda Express Orange Chicken! Crispy battered tofu baked in the oven and smothered in a delectable sweet and spicy orange sauce! Serve with rice and veggies! Vegetarian & Easily gluten free!

    vegan orange chicken in a bowl with broccoli and chopsticks

    Hold onto your hats folks this vegan orange chicken recipe will rival any Asian restaurant!! Not kidding!! The crispy tofu is so good you’ll think it's deep fried but it’s not!!

    Add that to the orange sauce, made with freshly squeezed orange juice and whammo you’ve got yourself and amazing lunch or dinner that tastes like Chinese take out but with healthier ingredients and it's packed full of flavour and protein.

    The batter I used for the tofu is an old stand by that I often used for deep frying. Well guess what!- it works like a charm in the oven too!! using way less oil! Yipeee!

    And don’t worry this orange tofu recipe is Easy Peasy!! And ready in a jiffy! So there's no need to run out and buy Trader Joe's Brand or Gardein Orange Chicken! Say yes to Homemade😊

    vegan orange chicken in a bowl with broccoli and rice

    What is Vegan Orange Chicken made of?

    This recipe is very similar to traditional Chinese Orange Chicken but I have substituted battered and baked tofu for deep fried chicken and it’s delish!! People have also used soy curls, seitan or cauliflower in place of chicken.

    The Sticky Orange Sauce is made with orange juice, vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, Tamari, cornstarch, chili garlic sauce and hoisin.

    Is Orange Sauce Vegan?

    Orange sauce can be vegetarian or vegan depending whether or not real butter, vegan butter or oil is added to the sauce.

    How do you make Vegan Orange Chicken with tofu?

    Preheat the oven to 400° Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, spray evenly with cooking oil spray and set aside.

    For the tofu: press for 15 to 30 minutes: place tofu between layers of paper towel, add a heavy object on top (I usually use my cast iron frying pan)

    tofu pressed between paper towel

    While the tofu is pressing: Add all the orange sauce ingredients (except orange zest) to a medium heavy bottomed sauce pot. Whisk together until the cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside to simmer later.

    vegan orange sauce in a pot

    Now add the batter ingredients to a medium bowl whisk together until smooth.

    Cube the tofu and add to the batter and gently toss together making sure the tofu is well coated, or dip individually.

    Place the tofu one by one on the baking sheet. Make sure the tofu pieces don’t touch and are well coated in the batter (the batter is my favourite part!) Evenly spray the tops of the tofu with more cooking oil spray. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning salt.

    Bake for 14 minutes flipping half way through.

    When the tofu is almost finished baking thicken the orange sauce: Bring the orange sauce to a simmer over medium heat until thickened, about two minutes, stir in the orange zest. Set aside

    Add the baked tofu to the sauce and toss to combine making sure all the tofu is glazed in the sauce. Or serve along side the sauce for dipping, your choice.

    step by step photos how to make vegan orange chicken with tofu

    Serve with cooked white or brown rice or fried rice, some sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
    Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, stir fried veggies and or Chow Mein is a nice addition also. Enjoy! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.

    vegan orange chicken in a bowl with broccoli rice and chopsticks

    Ok let's make Vegan Orange Chicken, it's:

    addicting

    so full of flavour!

    delicious weeknight meal!

    perfect with rice and veggies

    a great vegan copycat of Panda Express Orange Chicken

    easy

    great for lunch or dinner

    kid friendly

    Enjoy guys! Happy day to you? feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more Easy Homemade Vegan Takeout Recipes? Check these out: 

    • Tofu Stir Fry Recipe
    • Vegan Butter Chicken
    • Best Peanut Noodles Ever
    • Vegan Pad Thai (Tamarind)
    • Vegetable Chickpea Indian Curry
    • Sweet & Spicy Garlic Noodles
    • Chinese Vegetable Chow Mein (Authentic Flavours)
    • 20 Minute Vegan Lettuce Wraps
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    vegan orange chicken in a bowl with broccoli and chopsticks

    Vegan Orange Chicken (Tofu)


    ★★★★★

    4.7 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Orange Chicken: The best vegan take on Panda Express Orange Chicken! Crispy battered tofu baked in the oven and smothered in a delectable sweet and spicy orange sauce! Serve with rice and veggies! Vegetarian & Easily gluten free! 


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Tofu:

    • 1 package extra firm tofu, or pre pressed tofu*
    • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon bakins soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon unsweetened soy milk
    • cooking oil spray
    • seasoning salt for sprinkling

    For the Orange Sauce:

    • 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed preferred (2 large navel oranges)
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
    • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, unseasoned
    • 2 tablespoons tamari
    • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce 
    • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
    • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon orange zest (added after sauce is thickened)

    For Serving:

    • sesame seeds
    • thinly sliced green onions
    • cooked rice
    • steamed broccoli or vegetables (optional)

    There is a gluten free (batter free) option in the notes section (just as tasty)


    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400° Line a large baking sheet (mine is 11x21) with parchment paper, spray evenly with cooking oil spray and set aside.
    2. For the tofu: press for 15 to 30 minutes: place tofu between layers of paper towel, add a heavy object on top (I usually use my cast iron frying pan) I recommend using pre pressed tofu if you're going to use the batter. For gluten free option without batter (in notes) use extra firm tofu
    3. While the tofu is pressing: Add all the orange sauce ingredients (except orange zest) to a medium heavy bottomed sauce pot. Whisk together until the cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside to simmer later.
    4. Now add the batter ingredients to a medium bowl whisk together until smooth. Cube the tofu and add to the batter and gently toss together making sure the tofu is well coated, or dip individually.
    5. Place the tofu one by one on the baking sheet. Make sure the tofu pieces don’t touch and are well coated in the batter (the batter is my favourite part!) Evenly spray the tops of the tofu with more cooking oil spray. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning salt.
    6. Bake for 14 minutes or until crisped to your liking flipping half way through.
    7. When the tofu is almost finished baking thicken the orange sauce: Bring the orange sauce to a simmer over medium heat until thickened, while stirring, about two minutes. Stir in the orange zest. Set aside
    8. Add the baked tofu to the sauce and toss to combine making sure all the tofu is glazed in the sauce. Or serve along side the sauce for dipping, your choice.
    9. Serve immediately with cooked white or brown rice or fried rice, some sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, stir fried veggies and or Chow Mein is a nice addition also. Enjoy! For step by step photos see above post.

    Will feed 4-6 people if served with rice and or vegetables.

    Notes

    • For Gluten Free Tofu (or batter free): Add the pressed and cubed tofu to a medium bowl, mix in a tbsp of oil first and then add in a tbsp of cornstarch and pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently. Preheat a large non stick skillet to medium heat. When hot add a tbsp of oil and the tofu. Spread evenly in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring. Give it a a toss and cook for an additional couple of minutes or until crisped to your liking. Set aside until sauce is ready. Sauce: make sure the hoisin sauce and tamari are wheat free.
    • Substitutions: maple syrup for brown sugar, sriracha for chili garlic sauce.
    • Want the orange sauce tangier? add more vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice
    • Want it sweeter? add a little more sugar
    • Nutritional chart calories does not include cooked rice or vegetables
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
    • Category: Mains, Gluten Free
    • Method: Stovetop and Oven
    • Cuisine: Chinese / Asian

    Keywords: vegan orange chicken, orange tofu, Panda Express, copycat, easy, sticky orange sauce, crispy tofu, battered tofu, take out, Chinese, asian, Chinese food,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    Comments

    1. Caroline

      January 08, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      I wasn't a fan of the breading. I think to get it crispy you might need to either pan fry or air fry it. The coating just turned out mushy and too sweet and not very appetizing. The sauce was good though, so if I try this recipe again I'll bake the tofu or fry without batter.

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 09, 2022 at 8:07 am

        Hi Caroline there is a gluten free version in the notes try that one next time as there isn't any breading 🙂

        Reply
    2. Ebony

      December 16, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      If you truly like crispy tofu, please do not use the baking method. Make sure your tofu is THOROUGHLY pressed and fry it! If you do not THOROUGHLY press the tofu it will come out very soft and cake like after 14 minutes of baking. Yees the tofu will soften once in the sauce but it will be a tad bit more crispy if you fry it in oil. Hope this helps

      Reply
    3. pam

      June 02, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Cooked it with the hubby seriously deliouces!!
      Subbed half tofu for cauliflower mmmhh 🙂

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 02, 2021 at 2:26 pm

        Thank you so much Pam thrilled you guys enjoyed it! feel free to give it a star rating😊

        Reply
    4. Michele

      May 16, 2021 at 10:56 pm

      I’m a new vegan trying to learn the ropes, your recipes are nice and easy for me to tackle. I’ll be making this for sure 🤗

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 17, 2021 at 5:57 am

        Thanks so much Michele, enjoy!!

        Reply
    5. Amanda Ann

      March 27, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Can I use regular milk instead of soy? The other milk I have is sweetened almond milk.

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 27, 2020 at 8:03 pm

        I'm sure that would work just fine

        Reply
    6. Loraine

      March 03, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      My husband and I made this with pre pressed tofu and it was AWESOME! Thanks for a great recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 04, 2020 at 2:42 pm

        You are so welcome Loraine. Thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Happy day to you!

        Reply
    7. zulema

      March 03, 2020 at 2:46 am

      I’m a new vegan and I’m
      Loving your recipes. I made this one tonight flavor was delicious but my tofu felt apart and didn’t get crispy
      Any ideas on what I should do?

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 03, 2020 at 3:21 pm

        I'm not sure what you mean? The tofu itself doesn't get crispy the coating does, and it won't stay crispy forever once coated in the sauce. Hope that helps Zulema!

        Reply
    8. Midge

      March 01, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      We cooked this instead of ordering Chinese .so delicious midge

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 23, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        oh nice! Thrilled you enjoyed it Midge. thank you for your comment.

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Vera! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

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