How to make tempeh in the air fryer. Marinate it in an awesome black bean sauce and them air fry it in minutes. This is a very easy vegan protein recipe
I want to let you know that I am writing this post under duress!
Ok, that’s a little dramatic, I know. I have never liked tempeh and I still don’t like it.
It’s one of those ingredients that I despise with a passion!!!
So, why am I posting a recipe for it today?
Tempeh recipes have been widely requested by readers like you. I love you all so much and that’s why I am caving!
Tips for making this air fryer tempeh
- The only way you will get me to eat tempeh is by marinating it! I will even marinate it overnight so that the flavors sip into EVERY nook and cranny of the tempeh.
- Cut the tempeh thinly, so that you can make them crispy in the air fryer.
- For this recipe, I am marinating the tempeh in my very easy black bean sauce.
- My black bean sauce has oil in it. Omit the oil when you are marinating the tempeh. The oil makes it harder to marinate the tempeh.
- The parchment paper is not necessary, but, I am now in the habit of putting it in my air fryer basket every time. It makes for a stress free cleanup.
- If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer to use the oven, try this baked tempeh recipe.
- Personally, I prefer my tempeh to be softer not crispier. So, I set my air fryer to 12 minutes. To get it crispier, set it to 15 minutes. My air fryer is (Affiliate Link) Cosori Max XL.
What is tempeh?
Tempeh is soy beans that are fermented and them pressed together to form a block. It originated from Indonesia, but now used cuisines all over the world.
The fermentation process goes on for 24-36 hours. The main fungi used in the process is Rhizopus Microsporus. This fermentation process has been passed down for generation.
Nutrition info
Packed with protein
Of all the foods in the world that a vegan get protein from, tempeh is, by far, the best source!
Just one serving of this Tempeh (about 3oz) has 18g of complete protein. 3oz Tofu, on the other has, 8g of protein
This makes tempeh the better source of protein
Source: Prevention.com
Good source of magnesium
Many vegans have been known to have low levels of magnesium. Lucky for us, we can get a good amount from our tempeh.
One serving of tempeh has 18%-20% of the RDA.
Source: Diet and Fitness Today
High in fiber
Fiber is important to vegans and meat eaters. It’s a great way to feed the bugs in the stomach.
Can you believe that 1 serving of tempeh has 8g of fiber!?
Make your gut bacteria happy by feeding them this high quality fiber.
This also means that the net carbs in tempeh is just 2g!! (10g of carbs subtract 8g of fiber)
Source: BBC Good Food
How to serve tempeh
The beauty if tempeh is that it can be served in so many recipes. Serve it with air fryer vegetables and spicy edamame. It would also be great with onigiri. Other ways to use it:
- Add it to a Buddha bowl
- It’s perfect for filling up your sandwiches
- Burritos will taste incredible with tempeh in them
- Use it as a pizza topping
- Serve it over cilantro lime cauliflower rice or a side to cauliflower steaks.
- Serve it over a bed of avocado tomato salad.
Storage and re-heating
To save it for future recipes, wrap the cooked tempeh in parchment paper and place it in a zip lock bag. Freeze for up to a week.
These tempeh is also easy to refrigerate. I put it in freezer friendly glass containers that have a tight lid and use it up within a week.
Answering common questions
Cook tempeh in the air fryer for 12 minutes.
Yes, marinating tempeh first is always a good idea. Tempeh is very dense, with thick exterior. It’s hard for flavors to get into every nook and cranny. So, marinating it helps flavor it from the inside.
Cooked tempeh can be frozen for about 1 month. It can last longer, but, I prefer to use it quickly. Tempeh out of package that is uncooked can be frozen for about 6 months.
It’s made by fermenting soybeans and then compressing it to form small blocks.
Tempeh has a little more protein. 1 cup of tempeh has 31g and 1 cup tofu has about 20g.
Sharing is caring
Are you Team Tofu or Team Tempeh?
Don’t be shy, chime in below in the comments. Let me hear your opinion on this air fryer tempeh recipe. If you enjoyed this, please give it 5 stars and share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Air Fryer Tempeh Recipe
Equipment
- COSORI Air Fryer
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 Tbsp black bean paste with garlic
- 1 Tbsp coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tsp mirin or rice vine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ red chili pepper adjust to taste
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 1 tsp oil I used avocado oil, but, you can use coconut oil too
- 2 Tbsp water
For the tempeh
- 1 block tempeh I used Lightlife Tempeh, Original flavor
For garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In one bowl, mix all the ingredients for the sauce.
- Set aside the sauce for 20 minutes.
- Cut the tempeh into about 1/4" thick slices, length wise.
- Place the cut tempeh slices flat in a casserole dish or pan.
- Pour the black bean marinade sauce on the tempeh.
- Cover the tempeh dish and marinate for 30 minutes, overnight if possible.
- Remove the air fryer tray and line it with an air fryer safe paper.
- Very lightly butter the paper so that the tempeh doesn't stick to it.
- Line the tempeh on the paper without crowding it.
- Place the basket back in the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 320°F and air fry it for 12 minutes. For crispy: set it to 15 Minutes
- Let it cool for a couple minutes and then, remove the tempeh
- Garnish with sesame seeds.
Serve immediately or save it for a future recipe.
Video
Notes
- Marinate it overnight so that the flavors sip into EVERY nook and cranny of the tempeh.
- Feel free to use soy sauce if you don’t have coconut aminos.
- Cut the tempeh thinly, so that you can make them crispy in the air fryer.
- The parchment paper is not necessary, but, it makes for a stress free cleanup.
- Preheating the air fryer is not necessary, as I find that it cooks just as well without preheating.
- Personally, I prefer my tempeh to be softer not crispier. So, I set my air fryer to 12 minutes. To get it crispier, set it to 15 minutes.
- To save it for future recipes, wrap the cooked tempeh in parchment paper and place it in a zip lock bag. Save it for up to a week.
I hope it’s an oversight that you’ve stated wax paper rather than grease proof paper or baking parchment. Putting wax paper into a hot appliance like an air fryer is not to be advised!
You can use baking or parchment paper in the air fryer.