General Tso’s Tofu

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about General Tso’s Tofu—crispy tofu coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy homemade Tso’s sauce that’s better than takeout. For us, it all started with a cozy tradition of ordering from a neighborhood Chinese spot after long days. But one evening, we decided to try our hand at making it at home. With a quick and easy recipe and a few tweaks, we discovered how to recreate the magic in our kitchen. Now, this homemade version has become a staple in our meal rotation, delivering all the comfort and flavor we crave with a personal touch.

Table of Contents

• About This Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Key Ingredients
• How To Make General Tso’s Tofu
• Have It Your Way
• Nutritional Facts
• Health Benefits
• Other Recipes You’ll Love
• Tofu Press

About This Recipe

General Tso’s Tofu is inspired by the popular General Tso’s Chicken, a classic dish in Chinese-American cuisine. Its origins are debated, but it’s widely recognized as a beloved takeout staple across the U.S. The combination of crispy tofu, a thick, glossy sauce, and a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors makes it irresistible. This vegan-friendly version swaps chicken for tofu, retaining all the bold flavors while keeping it plant-based.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Takeout Favorite at Home: Skip the restaurant and enjoy this classic anytime.
• Crispy and Saucy: Perfectly fried tofu coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce.
• Plant-Based and Delicious: A vegan twist on a timeless favorite.
• Easy to Make: Surprisingly simple and ready in under an hour.
• Customizable: Adjust the spice level or add veggies for extra nutrition.

Key Ingredients

• Extra Firm Tofu: Pressed to remove excess moisture for ultimate crispiness.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a light and crispy coating for the tofu.
• Soy Sauce: Provides a salty, umami base for the sauce.
• Dark Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and a rich color.
• Vegetarian Oyster Sauce: For that extra savory touch.
• Black Vinegar: A complex sour note.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor to the sauce.
• Ginger & Garlic: The aromatic backbone of the dish.
• Dried Red Chilies: Bring a mild, smoky heat.
• Cooking Oil or Chili Oil: For frying and enhancing the flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle for garnish adds visual appeal and texture.
• Water: To adjust the consistency of the sauce.

How To Make General Tso’s Tofu

Air fry Tofu

1. Press the tofu and pat dry

2. In a large bowl, break the tofu into bite sized pieces by hand.

3. Add corn starch and stir until all pieces are coated.

4.  Add sesame oil, soy sauce, and water and gentle stir to create a batter and all pieces are evenly coated.

5. Transfer the tofu pieces to a parchment lined air fryer tray and spread out evenly.

6. Air fry at 350-400 F (depending on your air fryer) for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
   

General Tso’s Tofu

1. In a pan over medium-low heat, heat 2 tablespoons of cooling or chili oil.

2. Add grated ginger, minced garlic, and dried chilies and sauté for 60 seconds.

3. Add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, black vinegar, and maple syrup. Stir and allow to heat up until gently boiling.

4. Add a little corn starch slurry and the sesame seeds, then stir until thickened.

5. Add the crispy tofu and stir until all the pieces are coated in the sauce and heated through.

6. Serve with some steamed rice and blanched boy choy.

7. Enjoy!

Have It Your Way

• Spice Level: Control the heat by adding more or less chili flakes or Sriracha.
• Veggie Boost: Add steamed broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra nutrients.
• Healthier Option: Bake or air-fry the tofu instead of deep-frying.
• Rice or Noodles: Serve with jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles for a complete meal.

Nutritional Facts

• High in plant-based protein from tofu.
• Low in cholesterol and saturated fats.
• A source of essential nutrients like iron and calcium.
• Packed with flavor without unnecessary additives.

Health Benefits

1. Protein Power: Tofu provides a high-quality, plant-based protein.
2. Heart Health: Soy products are known to support heart health.
3. Anti-Inflammatory: Garlic and ginger are natural anti-inflammatory agents.
4. Balanced Energy: The dish pairs carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for a satisfying meal.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Crispy Air Fried Orange Tofu
• Vegan Mapo Tofu
• Gochujang Tofu
• Thai Basil Braised Tofu
• Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu

General Tso’s Tofu

Berry Berry Life

General Tso’s Tofu with this easy, vegan-friendly recipe! Crispy tofu meets sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce for a takeout classic made at home.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 2

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Air fried tofu

• ▢ 1 18 oz Extra Firm Tofu pressed
• ▢ 3 Tbsp Corn Starch
• ▢ 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Water

General Tso’s Sauce

• ▢ 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil or Chili Oil
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Ginger grated
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Garlic minced
• ▢ 5-10 Dried Red Chilies per taste
• ▢ 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
• ▢ 2 Tbsp Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
• ▢ 1 Tsp Black Vinegar
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Corn Starch Slurry

Equipment

• Tofuture Tofu Press
• Gourmia Air Fryer
• HexClad 12 Inch Frying Pan w Lid

Instructions

 

Air fry Tofu

• Press the tofu and pat dry
• In a large bowl, break the tofu into bite sized pieces by hand.
• Add corn starch and stir until all pieces are coated.
• Add sesame oil, soy sauce, and water and gentle stir to create a batter and all pieces are evenly coated.
• Transfer the tofu pieces to a parchment lined air fryer tray and spread out evenly.
• Air fry at 350-400 F (depending on your air fryer) for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.

General Tso’s Tofu

• In a pan over medium-low heat, heat 2 tablespoons of cooling or chili oil.
• Add grated ginger, minced garlic, and dried chilies and saute for 60 seconds.
• Add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, black vinegar, and maple syrup. Stir and allow to heat up until gently boiling.
• Add a little corn starch slurry and the sesame seeds, then stir until thickened.
• Add the crispy tofu and stir until all the pieces are coated in the sauce and heated through.
• Serve with some steamed rice and blanched boy choy.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• Press Your Tofu: This step is essential to achieve a crispy texture.
• Prep in Advance: Have all your ingredients measured and ready before you start cooking.
• Serve Fresh: General Tso’s Tofu is best enjoyed immediately after cooking to maintain its crispiness.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcal

Keyword Air Fry, Asian, Tofu

Tried This Recipe?Mention us @Berry_Berry_Life or #berryberrylife

Tofu Press

Using a good Tofu Press is crucial for enhancing the texture and flavor of tofu in your culinary creations. Pressing tofu removes excess water, allowing it to absorb marinades and spices more effectively, resulting in a richer and more robust taste. This process also improves the tofu’s texture, making it firmer and more suitable for grilling, frying, or baking. A well-pressed tofu holds its shape better and achieves a desirable crispy exterior while remaining tender on the inside. Investing in a quality tofu press simplifies this process, saving time and ensuring consistent results, ultimately elevating your dishes to a new level of deliciousness. Here is our favorite Tofu Press. It easily And quickly remove water from Tofu to Improve the flavor and give Perfect Texture every time.

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