Once you learn how to air fry tempeh you will be hooked! This easy air fryer tempeh turns out crispy + perfect every time + could not be any easier to make! Add your favorite sauce, layer into a sandwich, sprinkle over a salad, or pile into a taco. The possibilities are endless!
Why Eat Tempeh?
Tempeh is a great source of protein + calcium + iron + magnesium! Above all, it is very high in prebiotics. If you are not familiar with prebiotics, time to get familiar!!!!! Prebiotics are a type of fiber that promote the growth of good gut bacteria. YES! To simplify this, we need lots and lots of good gut bacteria for our overall heath, to reduce inflammation, and so many more reasons! One way we get this is by eating a large variety of plants. Another way is by eating fermented foods. Tempeh is a fermented food 🙌🏻. This air fryer tempeh is on regular rotation in the MVF kitchen as one of our main sources of clean, plant-based protein. Above all, it is so versatile + yummy!
Tempeh or Tofu?
Both are made of soybeans, but the soybeans in tempeh have been fermented to form a block. This gives it a slightly nuttier, heartier bite + texture. Like tofu, tempeh will take on any flavor you choose to infuse it with. Both are excellent, clean, high protein choices for vegans or vegetarians, or even meat eaters looking for a healthier alternative!
Tara’s Tips For Learning How To Air Fry Tempeh:
- Boil the tempeh first!!!!! One of the main reasons people think they do not like tempeh is because it has a slightly bitter taste. Personally, I do not like tempeh in its original form, I always boil it. After boiling, the bitter taste is gone. 10 minutes of boiling, drain the water + toss in your air fryer! You could choose to skip the boiling if you are pressed for time.
- No oil! Yep, you heard me correctly. You do not need any oil in your air fryer to make these perfectly crispy + awesome! If you use oil, you could give these a light spray of olive oil before air frying for an extra crispy edge.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket! These guys cook best in a single layer not stacked up on top of each other. Cook them in batches.
- Cut your block of tempeh into one inch cubes or slices, choose based on what you will be doing with your tempeh after you have crisped it up.
After You Learn How To Air Fry Tempeh You Can …
Add it to tacos, sauces, sandwiches, chili, soup, even nachos. Dunk your crispy air fried tempeh cubes into your favorite dip or dressing, or sprinkle them over your salad. My favorite is Sticky Sesame Tempeh. You could also dunk these into Vegan Chipotle Mayo, Vegan Creamy Italian Dressing, Silken Tofu Vegan Spicy Ranch. They are also fabulous on top of Superfood Salad or Thai Salad With Peanut Dressing.
Love Tempeh? Me Too!
Try one of my other awesome tempeh recipes:
- Tempeh Taco Meat
- Easy Vegetarian Tempeh Chili
- How To Air Fry Tempeh
- Vegan Italian Stuffed Peppers
- Air Fryer Buffalo Tempeh
- Sticky Sesame Tempeh Recipe
- Baked Sriracha Tempeh
- Tempeh BLT
- Air Fryer Sriracha Tempeh
- Air Fryer Tempeh Croutons
- Garlic Tempeh and Broccoli
- Tempeh Sloppy Joes
How To Air Fry Tofu
Once you learn how to air fry tofu , you will be hooked! Perfectly crispy every time + SO easy!
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package of tempeh
- Olive oil spray if using
Directions
- Step 1 Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium size pot.
- Step 2 Remove tempeh from packaging, add tempeh to boiling water and boil for 10 minutes.
- Step 3 While tempeh is boiling, preheat air fryer to 325 degrees.
- Step 4 When the 10 minutes is up, drain water from tempeh. Once cool, cut tempeh into one inch cubes or slices.
- Step 5 Place in single layer in air fryer basket, lightly spray with olive oil if using. May need to be done in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Step 6 Air fry for 8 minutes or until crispy golden brown (not longer than 10 minutes!)
- Step 7 Apply your favorite sauce, dip, add to salad, soup, layer into a sandwich or wrap, enjoy!
⭐Did you make this Air Fryer Tempeh? Love it? Leave a rating + a comment below! ⭐
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