Go Back Email Link
+ servings
tempeh bacon recipe
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Tempeh Bacon

Crispy with maple and smokey goodness, this tempeh bacon recipe is perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, and crumbled-on salads rolled up in a wrap with veggies. Use an air fryer, a skillet, or the oven to make perfect vegan bacon every time.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Sandwiches, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 129kcal

Ingredients

Tempeh Bacon

  • 16 ounces tempeh I use organic light life brand
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or Tamari
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke I used hickory flavor
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper

Instructions

  • Remove tempeh for the packages and cut each piece in half.
  • Place in a large saucepan and cover in water.
  • Boil for 20 minutes.
  • Drain water and set it aside to cool.
  • Set cooled tempeh on a cutting board and cut into identical thin strips like bacon.
  • In a refrigerator-safe container, whisk together the tempeh bacon marinade, and pour a small amount into the container's base.
  • Then, add the sliced tempeh pieces, pour more marinade over the top, and repeat until all the tempeh and marinade are in the container.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • I always flip it over in the refrigerator every time I go in the refrigerator for anything.

Air Fryer Cooking

  • Spray water in the base of the air fryer.
  • Add the marinated strips of tempeh and reserve extra marinade
  • Cook in batches in a single layer at 370 degrees for 7 minutes; flipping each strip after 3 minutes.
  • Return cooked pieces into the container with the extra marinade. 
  • Repeat until all the pieces are cooked.

Baking 

  • Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
  • Place the tempeh bacon strips in a single layer, leaving a little space between each strip.
  • Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until tempeh is browned.
  • Now, return the cooked tempeh to the container with the extra marinade.

Skillet

  • In a large skillet, heat the pan to medium-low.
  • Place the tempeh strips in the pan, not overlapping each other. 
  • As the bacon is cooked, flip the pieces over every 5-7 minutes, adding small amounts of the marinade into the pan as the bacon cooks and browns, until all the marinade is absorbed. 

Notes

  • Boiling the tempeh pieces before cutting and marinating them ensures the marinade flavors will absorb into the tempeh.
  • Marinate overnight for the best results; the longer, the deeper the flavors. 
  • Turn the covered container over throughout the marinating process to soak up most of the marinade.
  • The more marinade the tempeh absorbs, the deeper the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg