Air Fryer Tempeh – The Big Man’s World ®

My air fryer tempeh recipe features tempeh marinated in a simple maple-soy marinade, then air fried until crisp and tender. It’s ready in under 20 minutes and makes a high-protein vegetarian addition.

The tempeh recipe to convert tempeh haters

I come from a family of tofu lovers, so I didn’t try tempeh until my late teens. Back then (yes, over 20 years ago), I’d buy those packages of pre-cooked blocks, but now, I love to prep it myself in the air fryer.

There are two tricks to making it taste like something worth planning dinner around:

• Steaming the tempeh first reduces bitterness and helps it absorb the marinade faster.
• Adding some liquid sweetener to the marinade gives each piece of tempeh those crisp, caramelized edges.

I love serving this in rice bowls, but my partner actually enjoys them on their own as a high protein snack!

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below:

• Tempeh. Look for the long blocks so you can slice it into even strips. I find that thinner strips (1/2 an inch) also steam and absorb the marinade faster.
• Soy sauce. The salty backbone of the marinade. Use tamari if you have a soy allergy or want this to be gluten-free.
• Maple syrup. This is what gives the tempeh those caramelized edges I mentioned above- feel free to swap it for honey or agave if that’s what you have on hand.
• Rice vinegar. Just a splash balances the marinade and prevents it from being too sweet.
• Sesame oil. I like adding a touch of oil for the crisp exterior, and this particular one has a toasty flavor that works so well.
• Garlic and ginger. I mince these fresh whenever I can. It’s a small extra step, but the flavor difference versus the jarred stuff is noticeable.
• Smoked paprika. My not-so-secret trick for adding a bit of smokiness without needing a grill.

How to make air fryer tempeh

Step 1. Slice the tempeh into thin strips. I find half an inch to be the perfect thickness. Steam for 5 minutes.

Step 2. Whisk everything together to make the marinade.

Step 3. Pat the tempeh dry, then marinate for a minute or two.

Step 4. Place a single layer of tempeh in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 8 minutes, flip, and air fry for another 5 minutes, or until crisp and charred around the edges.

Arman’s recipe tips

• Don’t skip the steam. I know it’s an extra step, but it softens the texture and cuts the natural bitterness raw tempeh can have straight out of the package. I also find it helps the marinade soak in better.
• Pat dry before marinating. After steaming, the tempeh holds onto extra moisture. I pat it dry with a paper towel first; otherwise, the marinade gets diluted and won’t stick as well.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give the strips some space so hot air can circulate around each piece. Crowd the basket, and you’ll end up with soggy spots instead of that crisp, caramelized edge.