This easy marinated air fryer tempeh is crispy and full of flavor! It cooks quickly in the air fryer making weeknight dinners a breeze.
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Why this recipe works
Cooking tempeh in the air fryer is the best way to get it extra crispy. The air fryer is basically a tiny countertop convection oven. It speeds up the preheating and cooking time, making roasting or frying quick and simple.
Air fryers are incredibly easy to use and clean and great when you don't want to heat up your whole kitchen like in the summer.
This is our favorite air fryer.
It's great at making food evenly crispy since it blows hot air from all angles. This makes cooking tempeh a breeze and the easiest way to get it evenly crispy all around.
Why you'll love this air fried tempeh:
- Extra crispy without any oil
- Meaty and filling
- Great source of protein, fiber and vitamins
- Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan
- Easy to prepare
- Great for adding to stir fries, nourish bowls, tacos, salads, and more!
Ingredient notes
Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements.
Tempeh. Many tempehs come pre-flavored now so make sure to get an original, unflavored package.
Marinade. The base of this marinade is soy sauce (or liquid aminos if gluten-free) with some basic spices, as well as maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. If you like smoky flavors, we add liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
How to make air fried tempeh
This step by step walk-through shows the process of making this marinated air fryer tempeh recipe. Exact times and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Slice tempeh into cubes, about 1 inch thick.
2. Add all the marinade ingredients except the cornstarch to a small mixing bowl and whisk together.
Pour over sliced tempeh and allow to marinate for at least 20-30 minutes.
3. Remove tempeh from marinade and place in the air fryer basket evenly spaced. Cook at 400F for 10-15 minutes. By oven: Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and crispy, flipping halfway through.
4. In a skillet over medium heat, add the leftover marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the cold water to form a slurry and add to the marinade. Stir in and bring to a boil.
Boil for a minute, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens, stirring constantly.
5. When your tempeh is done, add it into the marinade and stir to coat. The thickened marinade will stick to the cooked tempeh and create a super flavorful sticky coating.
How to serve
You can enjoy this air fryer tempeh served over rice or your favorite grain. This Potato Rice makes an excellent base!
It can also be added to a variety of dishes. It's great in curries, stir fries, wraps, and salads. It's a really versatile and filling ingredient.
FAQ and Expert Tips
Store leftover air fryer tempeh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in air fryer to preserve crispiness. You can also reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Yes, absolutely. Set your oven to 425F and use the convection setting if you have it. Otherwise you made need a little more time to get the tempeh to crisp up. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Flip halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Some swear by steaming it for 10 minutes first to soften it a bit and put some moisture back into it. This may help it absorb more flavor in the marinating step but I honestly don't find it necessary as it still tastes great without steaming.
No, it just makes a great sticky sauce for the tempeh but you can skip that step if you're adding it to a salad or something that already has a sauce like a stir fry or curry.
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Marinated Air Fryer Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 package tempeh
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos work too
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, + 2 parts cold water
Instructions
- Slice tempeh into cubes, about 1 inch thick.1 package tempeh
- Add all the marinade ingredients except the cornstarch to a small mixing bowl and whisk together.2 tablespoons maple syrup, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup water, ½ teaspoon liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pour over sliced tempeh and allow to marinate for at least 20-30 minutes.
- Remove tempeh from marinade and place in the air fryer basket evenly spaced. Cook at 400F for 10-15 minutes. By oven: Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and crispy, flipping halfway through.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add the leftover marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the cold water to form a slurry and add to the marinade. Stir in and bring to a boil.1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Boil for a minute, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens, stirring constantly.
- When your tempeh is done, add it into the marinade and stir to coat. The thickened marinade will stick to the cooked tempeh and create a super flavorful sticky coating.
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