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    Home Β» Breakfast Recipes

    Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon with Stovetop & Oven Methods

    Published: Jan 22, 2020 by Sherri Hall Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

    This air fryer tempeh bacon is full of flavor, easy to make and both vegan and gluten-free! If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make it on the stovetop or in the oven. It's not only perfect for breakfast, but we'll also show you how to use this vegan bacon to make a "BLT" sandwich.

    Jump to Recipe
    Tempeh bacon on white plate on top of kitchen napkins

    If you've never had it before, you may be wondering...

    What is tempeh bacon?

    OK, first things first...tempeh bacon does not taste like actual bacon.

    If you were a bacon lover before going vegetarian or vegan, this is not going to fool you into thinking it's "real" bacon.

    Well, now that we got that out of the way, we can focus on how awesome this Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon is.

    cooked tempeh on a white plate on a kitchen napkin with fork in the background

    For starters, it is so tasty, my bacon-eating omnivore husband is totally obsessed with it. 🙂

    Salty, smoky, and sweet, this vegan bacon is super flavorful and because it's made with tempeh, it's also high in protein.

    You can buy premade tempeh bacon in the grocery store, but the ones I've seen are all made with wheat and therefore, are not gluten-free.

    Overhead of tempeh on white plate

    Why use an air fryer?

    Thanks to the air fryer, not only does this "bacon" cook up quicker than it would in the oven, but it develops a crispy exterior too.

    And, unlike using the pan frying method, we don't need any additional oil other than what is in the marinade.

    However, if you do not have an air fryer, I've included instructions for both the stovetop and oven methods.

    tempeh on a white plate on a kitchen napkin

    Ingredients you'll need

    • 1 Block of Tempeh (I used Lightlife Original)
    • Tamari
    • Maple Syrup
    • Olive Oil
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Smoked Paprika (This is what gives the "bacon" a smoky flavor)
    • Garlic Powder
    • Onion Powder
    • Black Pepper

    How to make this vegan bacon

    First, you'll have to prepare the tempeh for cooking.

    Cut the block of tempeh in half and steam for 10 minutes.

    My preferred method for steaming is my rice cooker, but you can use a steamer basket on the stovetop if preferred.

    Steaming helps to cut back on the bitterness of the tempeh and allows it to better absorb flavors.

    To steam using your rice cooker, add 1 cup of water to the rice cooker pot.

    Then, place the tempeh halves in the machine's steamer basket.

    Tempeh in steamer basket of rice cooker

    Close the lid and press the steam or steam cook button (depending on your brand of rice cooker) and select 10 minutes for the steaming time.

    See the notes in the recipe card below for stovetop steaming instructions.

    Allow the tempeh to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the rice cooker or steamer basket.

    While the tempeh is steaming, make the marinade.

    Add all of the remaining ingredients to a 9" x 13" baking dish and whisk together with a fork.

    marinade in white baking dish

    Set the marinade aside and prepare the tempeh.

    Place the tempeh onto a cutting board and cut into strips approximately ΒΌ" thick.

    tempeh strips cut into ΒΌ" thick pieces

    Carefully place each strip into the marinade.

    tempeh strips placed in the marinade in the baking dish

    Then, carefully flip over each piece.

    tempeh strips flipped over in the marinade in the baking dish

    Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to overnight, flipping once during marinating.

    When you are ready to make the tempeh bacon, carefully flip the pieces one more time. You can spoon on any remaining marinade if you'd like as well.

    Air fryer method

    Place the crisper tray/plate into your air fryer if your air fryer does not have one built in. For example, my Ninja air fryer comes with a crisper plate insert.

    Lightly grease the bottom of the crisper plate or air fryer basket with olive oil or a non-aerosol, propellant-free olive oil spray.

    Carefully place the tempeh strips into the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may have to work in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Tempeh strips placed in the air fryer

    Air fry at 325° F for 10-15 minutes until the strips are browned but not burned. You can remove the air fryer basket to check it to ensure it's not burning. Mine only took 10 minutes.

    Cooked tempeh strips in air fryer

    Stovetop method

    Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated tempeh strips. You will most likely have to work in batches.

    tempeh strips in a nonstick pan with olive oil

    Cook on medium to medium-high for 2-3 minutes per side. It burns quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

    tempeh strips in nonstick pan after being cooked

    Oven method

    Preheat oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Place the marinated tempeh strips on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

    tempeh strips on parchment-lined baking sheet before being cooked

    Bake for 20 minutes, flipping once.

    tempeh strips on baking sheet after being cooked

    Tips

    • If you cut the strips too thin, they can break quite easily. If you cut them too thick, the bacon won't come out as crispy.
    • Be sure to handle the tempeh strips carefully. Even at ΒΌ" thick, they can still potentially break. I find it easiest to use my hands to flip the pieces when they are in the marinade, but a fork works well too.
    • If you want to make this for breakfast and you don't want to wait 2 hours for it to marinate, make it the night before at least an hour or two before going to bed. Then, flip the pieces once right before bed.

    Storing and reheating leftovers

    Store leftover tempeh bacon in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Leftovers are best reheated in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for several minutes until warmed throughout, turning frequently to prevent burning.

    Be sure to heat the pan first and you should not need any additional oil when reheating, but you can add a little if you prefer. The tempeh strips will reheat quickly due to their thin size.

    Ideas for serving

    Enjoy this vegan bacon as part of your breakfast such as with pancakes or waffles. This protein pancake mix from Thrive Market is our favorite gluten-free and vegan store-bought mix.

    You can also enjoy it alongside your favorite gluten-free toast, some tofu scramble, and air fryer home fries or air fryer hash browns.

    Picking up a piece of the bacon from the white plate with a fork

    You can also chop it up and add it to a salad, quinoa or rice bowl or a baked potato with some vegan cheese sauce.

    This tempeh bacon also makes an awesome vegan BLT!

    sandwich on a white plate with kitchen napkin behind it

    How to make a vegan BLT sandwich

    First, toast two slices of bread (gluten-free if needed) to your liking using a toaster or toaster oven.

    Next, spread 1 tablespoon of vegan mayo on one side of one of the pieces of toast.

    If you want, you can repeat this with the other piece of toast.

    I only used mayo on one piece.

    mayo spread on one piece of toast with tomatoes, tempeh bacon and lettuce next to it all on a wooden board

    Then, place 1-2 lettuce leaves (I used Bibb lettuce) on top of the mayo followed by 2 tomato slices and 4 slices of tempeh bacon.

    Top it all off with the other piece of toast and take a BIG bite! 

    holding a tempeh BLT sandwich over the white plate

    Want to jazz up this tempeh sandwich even more?

    Add some sliced avocado or mash some up and mix it into the mayo spread. 

    More tempeh recipes

    • Maple Dijon Baked Tempeh
    • Easy Marinated Tempeh
    • BBQ Tempeh
    front view of tempeh bacon on white plate
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 6 votes

    Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon with Stovetop & Oven Methods

    This Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon is full of flavor, easy to make and both vegan and gluten-free! If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make it on the stovetop or in the oven.
    Course Breakfast, Main Course
    Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
    Keyword air fryer, dairy-free, gluten free, tempeh, vegan, vegan bacon, vegetarian
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Marinating Time 2 hours
    Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 179kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz. block of tempeh (check ingredients to ensure gluten-free if needed)
    • ΒΌ cup gluten-free, reduced sodium tamari (can substitute with soy sauce if you are not gluten-free)
    • 3 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for greasing the air fryer and more if using the stovetop method)
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Β½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • Β½ tsp garlic powder
    • Β½ teaspoon onion powder
    • Β½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    FOR ALL 3 COOKING METHODS

    • Cut the block of tempeh in half and steam for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup of water to your rice cooker pot. Then, place the tempeh halves in the machine's steamer basket. Close the lid and press the steam or steam cook button (depending on your brand of rice cooker) and select 10 minutes for the steaming time. *See notes below for stovetop steaming instructions. Allow the tempeh to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the rice cooker or steamer basket.
    • While the tempeh is steaming, make the marinade. Add all of the remaining ingredients to a 9" x 13" baking dish and whisk together with a fork. Set the marinade aside and prepare the tempeh.
    • Place the steamed and cooled tempeh onto a cutting board and cut into strips approximately ΒΌ" thick. Carefully place each strip into the marinade. Then, carefully flip over each piece. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to overnight, flipping once during marinating.
    • When you are ready to make the tempeh bacon, carefully flip the pieces one more time. You can spoon on any remaining marinade if you'd like as well.

    AIR FRYER METHOD

    • Place the crisper tray/plate into your air fryer if your air fryer comes with one rather than having it built in. Lightly grease the bottom of the crisper plate or air fryer basket with olive oil or a non-aerosol, propellant-free olive oil spray.
    • Carefully place the tempeh strips into the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may have to air fry in 2 batches unless you have a large air fryer. Air fry at 325° F for 10-15 minutes until the strips are browned but not burned. You can remove the air fryer basket to check it to ensure it's not burning. Mine only took 10 minutes.

    STOVETOP METHOD

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the tempeh strips and cook on medium to medium-high for 2-3 minutes per side. It burns quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

    OVEN METHOD

    • Preheat oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the tempeh strips on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, flipping once.

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Suggested Equipment/Tools

    Rice Cooker
    Steamer Basket
    Air Fryer

    Notes

    *To steam the tempeh using a steamer basket, boil about 1-2 inches of water in a pot that fits your steamer basket. Place the tempeh halves in the basket and carefully place the basket into the pot. Cover and steam for 10 minutes. 
    Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold or warmed. Leftovers are best reheated in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for several minutes until warmed throughout, turning frequently to prevent burning. Be sure to heat the pan first and you should not need any additional oil when reheating, but you can add a little if you prefer. The tempeh will reheat quickly due to its thinness. 
    Check out the post above to see how to make a vegan BLT with this tempeh bacon.
    The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
    Nutrition was calculated using Lightlife Original tempeh. Please note that different brands have different nutritional content. Nutrition does not include the additional oil needed for the stovetop method. 
    Cook time was calculated for the air fryer method. Stovetop and oven methods vary in cooking time as noted in the instructions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 5g

    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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    1. Alyssa

      January 19, 2021 at 12:27 am

      Tried this on the stove for the first time - so good! Just got an air fryer, so excited to try it that way. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        January 19, 2021 at 9:58 am

        5 stars
        Thank you Alyssa! So glad you enjoyed the tempeh! Congrats on your new air fryer also! Let me know how you like it in there when you try it. Have an awesome day! πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Christie

      March 04, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      Maybe this recipe will convince me to like tempeh! It sounds soo good and delicious! I love that you made it in an air fryer!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        March 05, 2020 at 11:41 am

        LOL! Thanks Christie! It's one of our favorites for sure. πŸ™‚

        Reply

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    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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