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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Crispy Marinated Air Fryer Tempeh

    Dec 7, 2021 · Modified: Dec 7, 2021 by Rachel · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest image of air fryer tempeh with text overlay "air fryer tempeh easy + flavorful."

    This easy marinated air fryer tempeh is crispy and full of flavor! It cooks quickly in the air fryer making weeknight dinners a breeze.

    Fork holding a piece of marinated crispy air fried tempeh.
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make air fried tempeh
    • How to serve
    • FAQ and Expert Tips
    • More air fryer recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    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.

    1. Slice tempeh into cubes, about 1 inch thick.
    Cubed tempeh pieces on a cutting board

    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.

    Cubes of tempeh soaking in marinade sauce

    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.

    Marinated tempeh in air fryer basket.
    Crispy air fried tempeh on a plate.

    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.

    Tempeh marinade boiling in a skillet.

    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.

    Cooked tempeh smothered in sticky marinade.

    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

    How to store and reheat air fryer tempeh?

    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.

    Can I make tempeh in the oven?

    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.

    Do you need to steam tempeh?

    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.

    Do I have to add the extra marinade?

    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.

    More air fryer recipes

    Crispy air fried tofu on a plate
    Crispy Air Fried Tofu
    Kale chips in a bowl.
    Air Fryer Kale Chips
    Toast smeared with butter.
    Air Fryer Toast

    If you enjoyed this recipe please leave a comment below and give it 5 stars! Or on Pinterest (don’t forget to follow me!) and please help me share on facebook!

    📖 Recipe

    Fork holding a piece of marinated crispy air fried tempeh.

    Crispy Marinated Air Fryer Tempeh

    This easy marinated air fryer tempeh is crispy and full of flavor! It cooks quickly in the air fryer making weeknight dinners a breeze.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    course: Main Course
    cuisine: Indonesian
    servings: 4
    prep time: 20 mins
    cook time: 15 mins
    total time: 35 mins
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 1 package tempeh

    Marinade:

    • 2 tbsps 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 tbsps 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.

    Notes

    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.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    Sodium: 819mg Calcium: 79mg Vitamin C: 1mg Vitamin A: 1IU Sugar: 6g Fiber: 1g Potassium: 296mg Calories: 155kcal Saturated Fat: 1g Fat: 6g Protein: 12g Carbohydrates: 15g Iron: 2mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shellie

      February 11, 2022 at 7:44 pm

      5 stars
      This came out great. My husband is already asking when we're having it again. Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel

        February 12, 2022 at 5:06 pm

        Yay I'm so glad!! Thank you for sharing, Shellie 🙂

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      January 22, 2022 at 8:54 pm

      Can I make the sauce in the bottom of the airfryer (Ninja all-in-one) after removing the airfryer basket?

      Reply
      • Rachel

        January 25, 2022 at 3:43 pm

        I'm not familiar with that air fryer but if that bottom is meant to be used to sautee then I don't see why not!

        Reply

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