Air fryer recipe · Starters
Smoky Maple Air-Fryer Tempeh Bites
Nutty tempeh squares glazed in smoky-sweet maple soy with crisp caramelised edges.
- 24 minTotal time
- 190°CAir fryer
- 5Serves
- VegetarianDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 165kcal
- 12.9 gprotein
- 10.1 gcarbs
- 9.3 gfat
- 0.3 gfibre
Per serving, about 5 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- Tempeh, cubed300 g
- Soy sauce2 tbsp
- Maple syrup1.5 tbsp
- Smoked paprika1 tsp
- Garlic powder0.5 tsp
- Olive oil1 tbsp
Method
Steam the tempeh
Cut the tempeh into bite-sized cubes and steam them for ten minutes before cooking. A quick steam mellows the raw, bitter edge of the bean cake and opens it up so it soaks in far more of the marinade later.
Marinate
Whisk the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika and garlic powder into a smooth glaze. Toss the warm cubes through it and leave them for at least fifteen minutes; warm tempeh drinks in flavour better than cold, so the marinade reaches the centre.
Oil and arrange
Drizzle the marinated cubes with olive oil and turn them so every side is lightly slicked, then spread them out in a single layer in the basket. Space between the pieces lets the hot air reach all sides so they brown instead of steaming.
Air-fry until caramelised
Air-fry at 190°C for 14 min, shaking the basket twice and brushing on any leftover glaze halfway through. The repeated shaking stops the cubes sticking and helps every corner caramelise into a deep, chewy-crisp finish.
