Air Fryer Crispy Tempeh Bacon

My new air fryer has been the star in the kitchen lately and I’ve been making everything from roasted tomatoes to crispy tempeh bacon. 

It’s the perfect kitchen tool to use in the summer when you prefer not to crank up the heat inside the house when mother nature is already doing that from outside. 

Although my favorite plant-based, meatless bacon is hands-down my mushroom bacon, this a great addition to my meatless bacon indulgences. 

What I love about making fakin’ bacon from tempeh is that it’s affordable, easy, and it’s quick to make – about a 20-minute cook time. Oh, and we’re only working with 6 ingredients. 

No long list of things to buy? Yes, please!

What Is Tempeh

Soy tempeh is fermented soy that has been bound together and molded into compact cakes. It originated from today’s Indonesia. Soy tempeh is from the Javanese word “témpé”

If you’re looking for a healthy, plant-based way to introduce more protein to your diet, consuming soy tempeh is a great way of doing that. In 100 grams of tempeh, you’re getting 20.3 grams of protein. In addition to its high protein content, tempeh has a significant amount of potassium, iron, vitamin b-6, magnesium, and calcium.

Tempeh has a nutty, bitter, earthy flavor. It has a dense, thick bite – which softens when steamed or simmered. 

What To Expect From This Recipe

• I like my faux bacon with a blast of umami. This means we’re working with ingredients like soy sauce to bring a depth of flavor to the tempeh bacon. 
• We’re using mostly pantry-friendly, affordable ingredients to make our marinade.

How To Make Air-Fryer Tempeh Bacon

The marinade is what really makes this recipe. We’re going for a tempeh recipe that’s smoky, savory, peppery, with a touch of sweetness. 

Steam & Simmer. First, I like to steam or simmer the tempeh for a few minutes to remove some of its bitterness. Also, this helps soften the tempeh cake. 

Make The Marinade. While it’s steaming or simmering, this is when I make the marinade. I combine the soy sauce, ketchup, smoked paprika, black pepper, and nutritional yeast. Feel free to taste and adjust to your liking. I enjoy my plant-based bacon less sweet and saltier, but if you prefer it sweeter, add more ketchup, or add maple syrup (liquid sweeteners work best). 

Cool Down. After it has been steamed or simmered in water, allow the tempeh to cool down for a few minutes. Then, it’s ready to be sliced into bacon-like pieces. 

Marinate Tempeh. Use a pastry brush to coat each tempeh piece on both sides. Let it rest and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Reserve any extra marinade. 

Air-Fry. Arrange the tempeh slices on an air-fryer tray. Set to 325 degrees F and air-fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway. Brush any extra marinade onto the tempeh pieces (optional). 

Plenty of recipes call for liquid smoke for tempeh bacon or other plant-based bacon recipes, however, smoked paprika is easier to find and it provides a reddish-brown color to the strips, making it more bacon-like. 

How To Store 

Store the tempeh in a reusable silicone bag or air-tight container. It’s best to reheat in the air-fryer for a few minutes, until warm. 

Turn this recipe into a full meal and serve it alongside breakfast tofu scramble, turn it into a sandwich topping, or combine it with a stack of sweet, gluten-free pancakes. 

If you’re looking for more meat-like, plant-based recipes, check out our tofu meatballs, Chipotle-inspired sofritas, tofu nuggets, tofu “butter chicken.” 

Tried out this Tempeh Bacon recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.

Did you try out this Easy Tempeh Bacon Recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.