Buffalo Tempeh Tenders
These Buffalo Tempeh Tenders are a crispy air-fried quick meal, snack or appetizer. They are slathered in buffalo sauce and dipped in ranch for an addicting plant-based comfort food you are going to love!
What you’ll love about this:
Simple Ingredients
*See below for more information.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
What type of Buffalo Sauce should I use?
My personal favorite is Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce but you can use whichever kind you prefer!
What are the best vegan ranch or blue cheese options?
I love Follow Your Heart Vegan Ranch or their Blue Cheese Dressing.
How to Make Buffalo Tempeh Tenders
Cut your tempeh strips
Slice your tempeh in half widthwise and then in half. Cut into strips. I was able to make 12 strips.
Coat tempeh strips
Prepare two shallow bowls of non-dairy milk and bread crumbs. Dip a tempeh slice into the non-dairy milk and shake off excess. Then toss it in the breadcrumb bowl.
Air fry & coat in buffalo
Arrange your coated tempeh strips in an air fryer basket evenly spaced (avoid them touching if possible). Air fry at 400 F for 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes to see their crispiness level.
*Alternatively, if you don’t have an air fryer you can bake your tempeh at 400 F for 15 minutes, or until crisp.
Remove your crispy tempeh strips from the air fryer. Add your buffalo sauce to a shallow bowl and dip your tempeh strips into the buffalo sauce, shaking off excess. At this point you can enjoy your strips right away or consider air frying again for 4-5 minutes to regain some crispiness that is lost when you add the moisture of the buffalo sauce.
Serve
Enjoy the tenders warm with ranch or blue cheese and a side of carrots and celery for garnish.
Love buffalo? Check out these other spicy plant-based favorites!
- Buffalo Tofu Bites
- Buffalo Tofu Wrap
- Buffalo Chickpea Bowl
- Chickpea Buffalo Ranch Wrap
- Creamy Buffalo Chickpea Dip
How do I store leftovers?
These buffalo tempeh tenders are best enjoyed right after cooking, but you could store them in the fridge for a few days. You can reheat in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes (or until warmed through and crispy again – although they will never be as crispy as the first day).
How else can I enjoy these tempeh tenders?
Add these buffalo tempeh tenders to a wrap (similar to my buffalo tofu wrap), on top of a salad with some crunchy romaine and ranch dressing, or with a grain/veggie (such as quinoa and broccoli).
You could even make a delicious sandwich with buffalo tempeh (a twist on my 10 minute tempeh sandwich).
Buffalo Tempeh Tenders
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Ingredients
- 8 oz package of tempeh
- 1 cup non-dairy milk unsweetened
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs*
- ~1 cup buffalo sauce
For Serving
- ranch or blue cheese choose a dairy-free option if vegan
Instructions
- Cut your tenders: Slice your tempeh in half widthwise and then in half. Cut into strips. I was able to make 12 strips.8 oz package of tempeh
- Coat your tenders: Prepare two shallow bowls of non-dairy milk and bread crumbs. Dip a tempeh slice into the non-dairy milk and shake off excess. Then toss it in the breadcrumb bowl.1 cup non-dairy milk, 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- Air fry: Arrange your coated tempeh strips in an air fryer basket evenly spaced (avoid them touching if possible). Air fry at 400 F for 10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes to see their crispiness level. *Alternatively, if you don't have an air fryer you can bake your tempeh at 400 F for 15 minutes, or until crisp.
- Coat in buffalo: Remove your crispy tempeh strips from the air fryer. Add your buffalo sauce to a shallow bowl and dip your tempeh strips into the buffalo sauce, shaking off excess.At this point you can enjoy your strips right away or consider air frying again for 4-5 minutes to regain some crispiness that is lost when you add the moisture of the buffalo sauce.~1 cup buffalo sauce
- Serve: Enjoy the tenders warm with ranch or blue cheese and a side of carrots and celery for garnish.
If you’re looking for that “meaty” texture you’re missing from chicken tenders, then these buffalo tempeh tenders are for you! They have the perfect crispy outer texture with a tender inside. The spicy buffalo sauce really hits the spot combined with a creamy vegan ranch – YUM! I hope you love these just as much as I do! xo- allie
These were delicious! The texture is really good.