Air Fryer Tempeh is made with 2 blocks tempeh, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar; air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes to serve 4. 220 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Equipment
Steps
- 1
Steam tempeh for 10 minutes to remove bitterness (or simmer in water).
- 2
Slice into 1/4-inch strips. Marinate in soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and paprika for 15 minutes.
- 3
Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and caramelized.
- 4
Brush with remaining marinade during the last 2 minutes.
- 5
Serve over rice with avocado, pickled veggies, and sriracha.
Tip: Steaming tempeh first is essential — it removes the bitter taste that turns people off. The marinade caramelizes into a glaze at high heat. Tempeh has more protein than tofu and holds its shape beautifully. Slice thin for maximum crispiness.
Why Air Fry This?
- ⏱️Ready in 12 minutes vs ~19 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
- 🔥Rapid air circulation delivers oven-quality results in a fraction of the time.
- ⚡Uses significantly less energy than heating a full-size oven for a single batch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cook Air Fryer Tempeh at 400°F for 12 minutes. Steaming tempeh first is essential — it removes the bitter taste that turns people off. The marinade caramelizes into a glaze at high heat. Tempeh has more protein than tofu and holds its shape beautifully. Slice thin for maximum crispiness.
You need: 2 blocks (8 oz each) tempeh, sliced into 1/4-inch strips, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, Steamed rice, Avocado, Pickled vegetables, Sriracha. This recipe serves 4 with 220 calories per serving.
Air Fryer Tempeh takes 12 minutes total at 400°F. Serve over rice with avocado, pickled veggies, and sriracha.
This recipe is rated Easy. It serves 4 and takes just 12 minutes at 400°F.
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