Tasty Baked Tempeh Recipe (High-Protein, 4 Ingredients)

Name: Tasty Baked Tempeh
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces tempeh; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons sriracha ((optional)); 2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce (preferably low sodium))

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My Easy Tasty Baked Tempeh uses two simple tricks to make it the best you’ve ever had—crispy, flavorful, and packed with protein! These bite-sized pieces are perfect for meal prep, adding nutrition to salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches. As a Registered Dietitian, I aim for 30g of protein per meal, and this makes it effortless!

Easy baked tempeh meal prep in a white container.

This simple recipe uses only 4 ingredients and takes just 25 minutes!

This recipe was inspired by my post on How to Make Seitan in 10 minutes and my Ultimate Tempeh Stew on my site.

Jump to:

🫛 What is Tempeh?
👩🏽‍⚕️Health Benefits of Tempeh
👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🧅 Substitutions
📖 How to Make Tasty Tempeh in 25 Minutes
✔️ Expert Tips
🥣 Ways to Enjoy Tasty Baked Tempeh
🛒 Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🍽️ Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made this recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🫛 What is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian fermented food made from soybeans. It is produced by fermenting cooked soybeans with a mold, typically Rhizopus oligosporus, resulting in a firm, cake-like product with a nutty flavor. This fermentation process not only enhances the nutritional profile of the soybeans but also introduces beneficial probiotics that support gut health. Tempeh is rich in protein, providing about 18 grams per serving, and is also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a popular plant-based protein source.

👩🏽‍⚕️Health Benefits of Tempeh

A scientific review highlights the following potential health benefits of tempeh:

High-Quality Plant-Based Protein – A complete protein source that supports muscle maintenance and overall health.
Supports Blood Sugar Regulation – Contains compounds that may help improve insulin sensitivity and manage diabetes.
Enhances Cognitive Function – Rich in bioactive compounds that may support brain health and memory.
Lowers Cholesterol – Fermentation increases the presence of heart-healthy compounds that can help reduce LDL cholesterol.
Anti-Aging Effects – Packed with antioxidants, including ergothioneine, that combat oxidative stress and support healthy aging.
Improves Gut Health – Acts as a prebiotic or probiotic due to beneficial microorganisms that support digestion.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Below are some notes about the ingredients from me as an expert in nutrition.

Tempeh, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and sriracha.

Tempeh: A protein-rich, fermented, gut-healthy soy-based food. My cooking method removes all the bitter flavor so these tempeh chunks actually taste good!
Garlic powder: Researchers found that daily consumption of 800 mg of garlic powder (equivalent to a quarter teaspoon for less than a penny a day) significantly improved artery function of heart disease patients by 50 percent.
Nutritional Yeast: This adds a deep, savory, slightly cheesy flavor while improving texture and balancing its mild wheat taste. Fortified nutritional yeast contains added vitamins, like B12, making it a suitable choice for vegans or those looking to boost their intake of essential nutrients. Non-fortified varieties are pure and free from additives, preferred by those seeking a more natural option. See my preferred brands in my shopping link below (tested for heavy metals).

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🧅 Substitutions

Seasoning - use your choice of seasonings including onion powder, chipotle powder, paprika, or poultry seasoning
Nutritional yeast - omit as needed
Olive oil- add a drizzle to get the tempeh even more moist and crispy
Sriracha - adjust according to the desired level of spice

For more healthy tempeh ideas, visit my Vegan Tempeh Recipes page.

📖 How to Make Tasty Tempeh in 25 Minutes

This is an overview. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Simmering two blocks of tempeh in a saucepan.

Simmering tempeh helps remove its natural bitterness and improves its texture. A quick 7-minute simmer in water or broth softens the tempeh, allowing it to absorb marinades more effectively. For extra flavor, some people use vegetable broth or add a splash of vinegar during simmering.

Break the tempeh into chunks by hand instead of cutting it with a knife. This creates more texture and flavor. The uneven edges and natural grooves help marinades and seasonings soak in better, making each bite more flavorful. This method also gives the tempeh a more rustic, hearty feel, perfect for absorbing sauces and crisping up beautifully when baked or pan-fried.

Crumbled tempeh with seasonings in a glass bowl.

Marinating tempeh in tamari, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and sriracha creates a bold, umami-rich flavor with the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and slightly cheesy notes. You can add a drizzle of olive oil for extra crispiness and moisture—a little goes a long way in helping the tempeh brown beautifully while keeping it tender inside.

Baking is a healthy way to enjoy tempeh, but be careful not to overcook it, as burning can lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). For a quicker, crispier option, air fry at 380°F for about 10 minutes instead.

Enjoy immediately, or once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Black bean soup topped with avocado, and hemp hearts.

Use tempeh to transform your soups, salads, and grain bowls into high-protein meals. This black bean soup went from 9 grams of protein to 30 grams just by adding these delicious baked tempeh pieces!

✔️ Expert Tips

Simmer First for Better Flavor – A 7-minute simmer removes bitterness and helps tempeh absorb marinades more effectively.
Break by Hand for More Texture – Tearing tempeh into chunks creates natural grooves that soak up seasoning better than clean knife cuts.
Marinate for Maximum Flavor – Let tempeh sit in tamari, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and sriracha for longer or overnight if you have time.
Add a Drizzle of Oil (optional) – A drizzle of olive oil helps crisp up the edges while keeping the inside tender.
Bake or Air Fry – Bake until golden, but avoid burning to prevent AGEs; for a quicker option, air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes.
Boost Protein Easily – Use baked tempeh to increase the protein in soups, salads, and bowls.
Storage: Refrigerate Tasty Baked Tempeh in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

🥣 Ways to Enjoy Tasty Baked Tempeh

Salads: Toss crispy tempeh into leafy greens, cabbage salads, or veggie bowls for protein and crunch.

Grain Bowls: Serve with quinoa, quinoa-rice, or farro, roasted veggies, and a healthy dressing.

Wraps & Sandwiches: Layer into lettuce wraps, veggie flatbreads, or sandwiches for a hearty, plant-based filling.

Soups & Stews: Add to vegetable soups and stews to boost protein and texture.

Stir-Fries & Curries: Toss into stir-fries or simmer in curry sauces.

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W & P jade green food storage container and a plate of food.

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🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Do I need to simmer tempeh before baking?

Simmering tempeh before baking or cooking is a simple technique that helps remove its natural bitterness while improving its texture and ability to absorb marinades. Tempeh has a slightly earthy, sometimes bitter flavor due to the fermentation process, but a quick simmer in water or broth for about 10 minutes mellows this taste. This step also softens the tempeh, allowing it to soak up seasonings more effectively, leading to a more flavorful final dish. Some people prefer simmering in vegetable broth or adding a splash of vinegar to enhance the flavor even further. Whether steaming or simmering, this extra step can make a big difference in creating a delicious, well-seasoned tempeh dish.

How do I store and reheat baked tempeh?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or air fry at 380°F for a few minutes to crisp it up again.