General Tso’s Tofu Recipe (Bake Or Air Fry)

Craving takeout? This General Tso’s tofu recipe has you covered! Ready in under 45 minutes, it features crispy, golden tofu (baked or air-fried!) tossed in a tangy-sweet homemade sauce that tastes straight out of a restaurant. Trust me, you’ll be making this easy weeknight meal on repeat!

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Your New Favorite Tofu Recipe

In today’s “Tofu Recipes That Actually Taste Good” episode, General Tso’s tofu! It’s sticky, tangy, savory, and everything you love about Chinese takeout—only better because crispy tofu takes it to the next level.

It’s ridiculously easy and comes together in under 45 minutes (just like our General Tso’s cauliflower), so you can whip it up even on the busiest of weeknights. And let’s not forget about the leftovers!

Takeout leftovers are *chef’s kiss,* and this tofu delivers the same next-day deliciousness. Whether you’re a tofu newbie or a seasoned pro, this recipe will instantly level up your dinner game. Let’s do this!

Grab These Ingredients

Great news! All the ingredients in this recipe are super easy to find. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements—this is just an overview!

• Tofu: Forms the heart of the dish, providing a protein-rich base. Pressing it removes excess moisture, ensuring it crisps up beautifully when cooked.
• Tofu Coating: We’ll coat the tofu with soy sauce for umami depth, then oil and cornstarch to give the edges that perfect crispy crunch.
• Rice Vinegar: For your General Tso’s sauce, start with rice vinegar to introduce a tangy note that balances the sweetness and saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Provides the characteristic sweetness of General Tso’s sauce, balancing all those savory elements.
• Hoisin: Adds a sweet-savory element, elevating the overall sauce flavor.
• Aromatics: We’ll use fresh ginger and garlic to infuse a bright, zesty kick, adding savory depth and freshness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Give the sauce a little heat!

Let’s Make It!

Making this general Tso’s tofu is incredibly simple and requires almost no effort! (Jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.)

1. Press the tofu.
2. Tear it into chunks.
3. Bake or air fry until crispy.
4. Stir the sauce on the stove.
5. Serve!

Air Fry It

To make General Tso’s tofu in the air fryer, prepare it as instructed, then simply air fry the chunks at 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes (like we do in our reader-favorite air fryer tofu recipe!).

Meal Prep Tips

This General Tso’s tofu serves as a great protein option when meal prepping. Simply make the recipe as instructed, then portion the tofu and sides into meal prep containers (you may want to double the recipe to make 4 to 5 good-sized servings). When you’re ready to eat, just heat and serve!

Serve It With

This general tso tofu pairs well with a side of steamed rice and stir-fried or steamed vegetables. Here are some of our favorites!

• Steamed Broccoli: A classic pairing! The crisp-tender broccoli soaks up the sauce beautifully and adds a pop of green to your plate.
• Sautéed Eggplant: The creamy eggplant texture is out-of-this-world delicious with the crispy tofu and sticky sauce.
• Cauliflower Fried Rice: This low-carb alternative to rice is perfect for scooping up every last bit of that tangy sauce!

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General Tso’s Tofu Recipe (Bake Or Air Fry)

5 from 7 ratings

By: Sarah Bond

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Craving takeout? This General Tso's tofu recipe has you covered! Ready in under 45 minutes, it features crispy, golden tofu (baked or air-fried!) tossed in a tangy-sweet homemade sauce that tastes straight out of a restaurant. Trust me, you’ll be making this easy weeknight meal on repeat!

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

Crispy Tofu

• ▢ 1 14 to 16-oz package extra firm tofu, 396 to 453 g
• ▢ 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 15 mL
• ▢ 1 Tbsp oil, 15 mL
• ▢ 2 Tbsp cornstarch

General Tso's Sauce

• ▢ ¼ cup soy sauce, 60 mL
• ▢ ¼ cup rice vinegar, 60 mL
• ▢ 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• ▢ 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce, 30 mL
• ▢ 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• ▢ 1 cup water, 236 mL

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Instructions 

• Press: Press tofu for at least 15 minutes, using either a tofu press or wrapping it in a clean towel and setting a heavy pan on top of it, letting the moisture drain.
• Prep: Tear tofu roughly into bite-sized chunks. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
  
• Bake Tofu: In a medium bowl, toss torn tofu with soy sauce and oil. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat. Arrange on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
  
• Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tbsp of cornstarch and water together. Set aside. In a medium pot set over medium/high heat, whisk together all Sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch and water. Once the mixture is steaming, slowly stream in the cornstarch mixture while whisking the pot. Once fully incorporated, continue whisking until the mixture thickens.
  
• Serve: Gently fold in the crispy tofu. Serve hot with rice and your favorite vegetable!
  

Notes

Air fryer instructions: Prepare the tofu as instructed, then air fry it at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. Toss with sauce and serve!

If you don’t have hoisin sauce, use a mixture of soy sauce and a touch of honey.

To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure that the cornstarch you use is certified gluten-free.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave until heated through.

Can I freeze it? Freezing tofu is a great way to improve its texture! We suggest freezing it before you assemble it in this recipe though, as the sauce won’t thaw well.

For a more authentic touch, you can add Szechuan peppercorns for a numbing sensation or use Chinese black vinegar instead of rice vinegar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 32.9g | Protein: 25.6g | Fat: 9.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 2559mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 13.9g | Calcium: 329mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!