These Buffalo Tempeh Tenders are baked to crispy perfection and slathered in buffalo sauce to make the most addictive vegetarian comfort food!
I recently discovered that my little grocery store here in Holland carries Frank’s Buffalo Sauce (granted it’s in the tiniest European-esque bottles). So naturally I’ve been full steam ahead introducing tulip-man to the wonderful world of buffalo sauce. And the next stop on the train to buffalo town? Tempeh tenders!
These Buffalo Tempeh Tenders have 3 (THREE!!) layers of buffalo goodness. First we’ll marinate the tenders in buffalo sauce. Then we’ll whisk it in with the egg used to bread them. Then we’ll coat them one more time in buffalo sauce for that gorgeous orange exterior that screams BUFFALO SAUCE IS LIFE. You game?
Buffalo Tempeh Tenders Ingredients
- Tempeh: With more taste and texture than tofu, tempeh is a hearty meat alternative. If you’re not a fan of tempeh, you can substitute firm tofu.
- Buffalo sauce: My favorite is Franks RedHot, but you can use whichever you fancy!
- Breading: We’re baking these tenders rather than frying, meaning we’ll do some basic breading to get them crunchy. You’ll need all-purpose flour, egg (or flax egg for a vegan option), and panko bread crumbs.
- To serve: And because no tenders are complete without a good sauce, I love to serve mine with ranch or bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks. Here’s a fun recipe for homemade ranch dressing (made with kefir!)
You can serve these Buffalo Tempeh Tenders by themselves, or as a salad topper, or on a sandwich, or in your weekly meal prep. The possibilities are endless here, friends. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz package tempeh
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce 170 mL
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 65 g
- 1 large egg or flax egg*
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 50 g
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
- To serve: ranch or bleu cheese, celery
Instructions
- Marinate: Cut tempeh into thin rectangular tenders. If you’re not used to the taste/texture of tempeh, cut them thinner so you’ll get more of the breadcrumb crunch. Set in a deep dish and cover with buffalo sauce, tossing to evenly coat. Let marinate at least 1 hour (or up to 12) in the fridge.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C). Shake excess sauce from the tempeh and set on a plate, reserving the buffalo sauce marinade. Place flour in one bowl, egg in another, and panko + salt and pepper in the last, with a parchment-lined baking sheet at the end. Add half of the reserved buffalo sauce to the egg and whisk.
- Bread: Coat each tempeh tender lightly in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs, and set on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Brush each tender with remaining buffalo sauce, then return to the oven for 5 minutes, until slightly dry.
- Serve: Serve warm with ranch dressing or bleu cheese and celery.
Sonia says
This recipe is really delicious. I’m finding myself making them all the time.
Sarah says
So happy to hear, Sonia! Enjoy! 😀
Jessica says
Great buffalo sauce flavor on these tempeh tenders! I did sub egg with flaxseed egg to keep them vegan and the flaxseed egg became a little clumpy! I imagine a regular egg works better. I am also curious if frying them would make them a bit more crispy and browned. Overall they were very taster!
Sarah says
I bet frying them would be delish! So happy you liked them though, flaxseeds and all! 😀
Foster says
Hello, I just encountered this same issue. My solution was to add slightly more water to the flax egg and dilute it a little more, worked perfectly! I am also going to try putting mine in the air fryer, instead of oven. Great recipe!
madilyn says
Hi Jessica I just made these on 450 for 10 minutes using panko breadcrumbs and they were super crunchy! Hope this helps 🙂
pallav says
Looks delicious. Will make it soon!
madilyn says
It was so good!
Karen Moorhead says
I loved this and I’m new to cooking tempeh, so this was a great first try.