Air fryer tempeh? Yes, it's possible! And with the right marinade, it's delicious. Learn how to make the crispiest, most flavorful tempeh. All you need is an air fryer, some tempeh and a few simple ingredients.
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Is there anything you can't do with tempeh? I love this ever popular meat alternative. If you haven't tried my ultra delicious vegan BLT, you'll fall in love with tempeh once you've tried it.
But, today I'm excited to show you how to make air fryer tempeh. It's so easy to make crispy, yummy tempeh in an air fryer. There's no need to heat up your oven, and it's mess free ( I love my air fryer!).
Ingredients
- Tempeh: Choose a plain, unflavored block of tempeh.
- Soy Sauce: I used soy sauce, but if you want this recipe to be gluten free, use tamari sauce or
- Ginger: Use fresh ginger for this recipe. Dried ginger just doesn't have the same potency.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds the perfect amount of sweetness, without adding any refined sugar.
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil will give you the best flavor.
- Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar (or mirin) will add just the right amount of tang.
Is Tempeh Gluten Free?
Tempeh (sometimes known as tempe) is a popular meat alternative that's traditionally made using fermented soybeans. So, in it's plain state, tempeh is gluten free. However, many brands are flavored with ingredients that include gluten. Be sure to check the label for any ingredients that may contain gluten.
marinate the tempeh tempeh in air fryer basket
How To Make Air Fried Tempeh
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 375° F (190° C). I've never found it necessary to preheat my air fryer, but follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular air fryer.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, mirin and ginger.
- Chop the tempeh into ½ inch size cubes. Be sure to keep all the pieces the same size so they cook evenly.
- Transfer your tempeh to the bowl with the marinade, and mix until it's evenly coated in the marinade. Set it aside for 15 minutes to marinate.
- Now, evenly spread the pieces of tempeh out in the basket of your air fryer.
- Air fry your tempeh for 15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through. Please note, if you don't like your tempeh crispy you'll want to cook it for less time (more like 10 minutes) than if you want it crispy, which will require about 15 minutes air fry time.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer tempeh is delicious served with plain rice, but here's a few other suggestions:
- Tempeh makes a fabulous addition to salads.
- Swap tofu for tempeh in this vegan jalfrezi recipe.
- Try these awesome tempeh tacos by Well Plated.
- Add tempeh to your ramen for a boost of protein.
- Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds, green onions or chopped chili peppers.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If so, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thisdailydish. Or, leave me a comment below. It makes my day, and your feedback helps other readers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since most store-bought tempeh is pasteurized, you can eat it right out of the package. However, if you have unpasteurized tempeh (which would be rare), you should cook it thoroughly.
Tempeh is high in protein and fiber. It also contains many vitamins and minerals, and has been known to have a positive impact on lowering cholesterol levels.
Craving More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes?
Crispy Butternut Squash Cooked In An Air Fryer
Breakfast Hash In Your Air Fryer
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters - Courgette Fritters
Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls With Puff Pastry
Recipe
Air Fryer Tempeh
Ingredients
- 7 ounces tempeh
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce *or tamari for gluten free
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil *preferably toasted
- 2 teaspoons mirin *or rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons ginger finely grated
Instructions
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 375° F (190° C).
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, mirin and ginger.
- Chop the tempeh into ½ inch size cubes.
- Transfer the tempeh to the bowl with the marinade, and mix until it's evenly coated in marinade. Allow the tempeh to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Evenly spread the pieces of tempeh out in the basket of your air fryer. Leave space between the pieces.
- Air fry your tempeh for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through. *see note 1.
Notes
- If you don't like your tempeh crispy you'll want to cook it for less time (more like 10 minutes) than if you want it crispy, which will require about 15 minutes air fry time.
- Nutrition calculations are for the tempeh only, and do not include rice or garnishes.
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