Crispy Air-Fryer General Tso’s Tofu for Quick Takeout Style Meals Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To achieve an even crispier result, you can spray the tofu chunks lightly with a small amount of neutral oil before air frying. This helps the cornstarch brown more evenly and creates a deeper golden color. Be careful not to use too much oil, as it can make the coating greasy rather than crispy.

If you find the sauce is becoming too thick in the pan, add a tiny splash of water to loosen it up before tossing in the tofu. This ensures the sauce stays pourable and coats the tofu evenly without becoming gummy. Always keep the heat at a medium level to avoid burning the sugars in the glaze.

Variations

• Spicy General Tso's: Add two tablespoons of chili garlic sauce or extra dried red chilies to the glaze while it bubbles in the skillet to increase the heat level.
• Sesame Tofu: Increase the amount of toasted sesame seeds added at the end and stir in a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil into the glaze for a deeper, nuttier aroma.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. The tofu will soften significantly as it absorbs the sauce.

Reheat

Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp again.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Note that the tofu will lose its crispiness the longer it sits in the sauce.

For the best experience, consume within one day of preparation. If you must store it, keep the sauce and the crispy tofu in separate containers to maintain the best possible texture.

You can press the tofu and tear it into chunks up to a day in advance; store the prepared tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to coat and fry.

The glaze can also be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge. However, do not coat the tofu in cornstarch until immediately before air frying to prevent the coating from becoming gummy.

Serving ideas

Serve this crispy General Tso's tofu immediately as a standalone main dish. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed jasmine rice or quinoa, which helps soak up any extra sauce.

The freshness of the scallions is essential for cutting through the sweetness of the glaze, so do not skip the garnish.

For a complete meal, consider adding a side of steamed broccoli or stir-fried bok choy. The slight bitterness of the greens balances the sweet and savory notes of the General Tso glaze.

Place the tofu in a shallow bowl and spoon any remaining sauce from the skillet over the top before serving to ensure maximum flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crispy Air-Fryer General Tso's Tofu for Quick Takeout Style Meals

Prep 5 minCook 13 minTotal 18 minServes 2

Ingredients

• 400 g extra-firm tofu, pressed
• 15 ml soy sauce
• 45 g cornstarch
• 1/2 cup General Tso glaze, store-bought or made ahead
• toasted sesame seeds, for serving
• scallions, sliced, for serving

Instructions

1. Press the extra-firm tofu thoroughly to remove as much moisture as possible. Tear the pressed tofu into craggy, bite-sized chunks to create more surface area for the cornstarch to adhere to. Place the chunks in a bowl, add the soy sauce and cornstarch, and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the coated tofu chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Air-fry for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning. The tofu is ready when it is puffed, blistered, and golden brown.
3. Heat the General Tso glaze in a wide skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Add the crispy air-fried tofu to the skillet and toss gently for 30 seconds until every piece is thoroughly coated in the sticky sauce. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish immediately with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Contains: gluten, soy, sesame

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

280

Protein

18 g

Carbohydrates

32 g

Fat

9 g

Fiber

2 g

Sugar

12 g

Sodium

650 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.