Why You’ll Love Nutritional Yeast Tempeh Recipe
This recipe is quick, simple, and full of satisfying texture. The nutritional yeast gives the tempeh a cheesy, savory flavor without using dairy, while the cornstarch helps create a crisp coating.
It is also a great high-protein plant-based option for bowls, salads, wraps, or snacking. You only need a handful of pantry ingredients, and it works in both the oven and air fryer.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 block tempeh, about 227g or 8oz
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Heaping ¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Heaping ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Heaping ¼ teaspoon onion powder
3 to 4 teaspoons unsweetened, unflavored dairy-free milk, or water if needed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F or 220°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper. For the air fryer method, preheating and lining are not necessary.
Break the tempeh into irregular bite-sized chunky pieces and place them in a bowl. Avoid cutting it with a knife, since broken pieces create a better texture and crispier edges.
Sprinkle the nutritional yeast, cornstarch, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder over the tempeh. Toss gently until the pieces are coated.
Drizzle 3 teaspoons of dairy-free milk over the tempeh and toss gently again. The seasonings should become slightly damp and stick to the tempeh without becoming wet. Add one more teaspoon of milk only if dry seasoning remains.
Spread the coated tempeh pieces on the prepared baking tray or in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or air fry at 400°F or 200°C for about 15 minutes, until golden, crisp, and crunchy.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 2 servings.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 to 25 minutes
Total time: 20 to 30 minutes
Variations
For a smoky version, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the coating.
For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper or chili powder.
For extra savory flavor, add a small pinch of dried thyme or poultry-style seasoning.
For a tangier finish, serve the crispy tempeh with a squeeze of lemon juice.
For a bowl-style meal, serve it over rice, quinoa, greens, or roasted vegetables with your favorite sauce.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover tempeh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place it in an air fryer at 350°F or 175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or warm it in the oven until crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the coating crunchy.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe in the air fryer?
Yes. Air fry the coated tempeh at 400°F or 200°C for about 15 minutes, until golden and crisp.
Can I bake this instead?
Yes. Bake it at 425°F or 220°C for about 25 minutes on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Do I need to steam the tempeh first?
No, this recipe does not require steaming. Breaking the tempeh into pieces and coating it directly keeps the process quick and simple.
Can I use water instead of dairy-free milk?
Yes. Unsweetened, unflavored dairy-free milk is preferred, but water should work if needed.
Why should I break the tempeh instead of cutting it?
Breaking the tempeh creates rough, uneven edges that hold the coating better and crisp up more nicely.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan as long as you use dairy-free milk or water.
What can I serve with nutritional yeast tempeh?
Serve it in grain bowls, salads, wraps, tacos, sandwiches, or alongside roasted vegetables.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Tempeh is often gluten-free, but some varieties may contain grains with gluten. Check the package label to be sure.
How do I keep the tempeh crispy?
Leave space between the pieces while cooking and reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double all ingredients and cook in batches if needed so the tempeh pieces are not crowded.
Conclusion
Nutritional Yeast Tempeh is a fast, flavorful, and crunchy plant-based recipe that works perfectly for easy meals. With simple seasonings and either an oven or air fryer, it turns a block of tempeh into a savory, protein-rich dish you can enjoy in many different ways.
Nutritional Yeast Tempeh
This Nutritional Yeast Tempeh is crispy, savory, and packed with umami flavor. Perfect as a protein-rich snack, salad topper, or plant-based main dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake or Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 block (about 227g or 8oz) tempeh
- 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- heaping ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- heaping ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- heaping ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 to 4 teaspoons unsweetened unflavoured dairy-free milk or water
Instructions
- If using an oven, preheat to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. If using an air fryer, no preheating or lining is necessary.
- Break the tempeh into irregular bite-sized chunky pieces and place them into a bowl.
- Sprinkle the nutritional yeast, cornstarch, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder over the tempeh. Toss gently to coat.
- Drizzle over 3 teaspoons of dairy-free milk and toss gently again until the seasonings lightly stick to the tempeh. Add another teaspoon if needed to moisten any dry spots.
- Spread the coated tempeh pieces onto the prepared baking tray or into the air fryer basket, leaving space around each piece.
- Bake for about 25 minutes in the oven, or air fry for about 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Use unsweetened and unflavoured dairy-free milk for the best flavor.
- Water can be substituted for dairy-free milk if needed.
- Serve over salads, grain bowls, or wraps for extra protein and crunch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
