Crispy Chili Sesame Tempeh Nuggets (Printable Version)

Golden, crunchy tempeh coated in spicy chili-sesame crust. A perfect vegan main or snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ Tempeh Preparation

01 - 14 oz tempeh
02 - 2 cups water

→ Marinade

03 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
04 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave
05 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 tsp chili garlic sauce or Sriracha
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Coating

09 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk
11 - 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 - 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
13 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
14 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Frying

15 - 1/3 cup neutral oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Cut the tempeh into 2-3 cm bite-sized nuggets.
02 - Steam tempeh for 10 minutes to remove bitterness. Let cool slightly.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, and black pepper. Add the tempeh nuggets, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
04 - Prepare three bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, Bowl 2 with plant milk, and Bowl 3 with a mixture of breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, chili flakes, and salt.
05 - Remove tempeh from marinade. Dip each nugget in flour, then plant milk, then roll in breadcrumb mixture to coat well.
06 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry nuggets in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
07 - Serve hot with a dipping sauce of your choice (e.g., sweet chili sauce, vegan mayo).

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that satisfying crunch without the heaviness of deep-fried fast food.
  • The spicy kick is perfectly balanced by the nutty sesame notes.
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop and youll end up with soggy nuggets.
  • Let them drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the bottom crust crispy.
03 -
  • If you bake them, spray them generously with oil and flip them halfway through for even color.
  • Using chickpea flour adds a subtle nuttiness and keeps it gluten-free easily.

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