Irresistible Baked Tempeh Tots: Your New Favorite Vegan, Gluten-Free, Protein-Packed Snack

Discover how to make the ultimate baked tempeh tots, seasoned to perfection with aromatic rosemary, thyme, and a hint of “cheesy” nutritional yeast, all encased in a crispy almond flour breading. These savory bites are ideal for a protein-packed snack, a healthy side, or a versatile addition to any meal.

There’s something wonderfully liberating about rediscovering simple joys. This past weekend, for me, it was the unexpected delight of getting back on a bicycle. Do you have a bike tucked away somewhere, perhaps from your youth, waiting to be ridden again?

For years, I’ve harbored the desire to purchase a sleek, new bike, envisioning myself effortlessly gliding through the city streets or picturesque trails. Yet, somehow, the funds for this aspirational purchase always seemed to elude my grasp. Then, during the periods of quarantine and social distancing, outdoor biking surged in popularity within my social circles. It became the perfect trifecta: a fantastic way to immerse oneself in the outdoors, maintain a safe distance from others, and simultaneously reap the benefits of invigorating exercise.

This thought brought a sudden realization last weekend. While I didn’t have a *new* bike, a perfectly functional, albeit vintage, purple bicycle was patiently waiting in my parents’ garage. The last time I rode it, I was a carefree sixteen-year-old, unaware of the simple pleasures I was letting slip away. A quick phone call, a polite request, and soon enough, my bright purple steed was delivered to my doorstep.

Ever since that delivery, I’ve been pedaling through my neighborhood with a lightness in my step and a sense of buoyancy that I hadn’t felt in ages. It’s a reminder that true happiness often lies not in acquiring new things, but in appreciating what we already have and embracing the simple, wholesome activities that bring us joy. This same feeling of gleeful, almost childlike satisfaction also swept over me this week when I created these Baked Tempeh Tots. They embody that same spirit of simple, wholesome delight: an easy-to-make, incredibly savory snack, brimming with plant-based protein that leaves you feeling good, inside and out.

The Inspiration Behind These Delicious Bites

This recipe found its muse in the “Baked Tempeh Nuggets” from the renowned No Meat Athlete cookbook. Historically, I wouldn’t have considered myself a die-hard fan of nuggets or tots. However, the ingenious concept of transforming tempeh into perfectly seasoned, bite-sized pieces for a healthy, plant-based alternative utterly captivated me. It sparked an idea: how could I elevate this concept, making it even more accessible, flavorful, and aligned with a gluten-free lifestyle?

My unique spin on this classic idea involves swapping traditional bread crumbs for nutrient-rich almond flour. This simple yet effective substitution achieves a delightful nutty coating that is completely gluten-free, adding a wonderful depth of flavor and texture to each tot. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward approach: starting with readily available packaged tempeh, preparing an incredibly flavorful and easy-to-mix seasoned marinade, and utilizing ample almond flour for a robust and satisfying coating. The culmination of these steps is a truly flavorful, savory, and subtly “cheesy” bite-sized snack that ticks all the boxes: it’s vegan, entirely gluten-free, and remarkably oil-free, making it a guilt-free indulgence. So, let’s embark on this culinary adventure and tackle these delightful tempeh tots!

Essential Ingredients for Your Tempeh Tots

Crafting these delectable tempeh tots requires a carefully selected list of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in developing their incredible flavor and texture. The good news is, they’re all easily accessible! Here’s what you’ll need to gather to bring these plant-based wonders to life:

• **Packaged Tempeh:** The star of our show, providing a hearty, protein-rich base.
• **Unsweetened Almond Milk:** Forms the liquid base of our flavorful marinade, ensuring moisture and adherence for the breading.
• **Nutritional Yeast:** The secret to that irresistible, savory, and “cheesy” umami flavor that makes these tots so addictive.
• **Dried Rosemary:** Contributes a fragrant, piney, and slightly peppery note, adding an aromatic depth.
• **Dried Thyme:** Offers an earthy, minty, and slightly floral essence that complements the other herbs beautifully.
• **Dried Sage:** Imparts a warm, peppery, and slightly bitter flavor, rounding out the herb blend.
• **Arrowroot Powder:** Acts as a thickening agent for the marinade, helping it cling to the tempeh and contributing to a crispier exterior.
• **Fresh Lemon Juice:** Adds a bright, acidic counterpoint, cutting through the richness and enhancing all the other flavors.
• **Black Pepper:** Provides a gentle warmth and a subtle spicy kick.
• **Himalayan Sea Salt:** Essential for seasoning, bringing out the best in every ingredient.
• **Almond Flour:** Our gluten-free breading of choice, delivering a delicate, nutty crunch.

That’s the complete lineup! With these simple yet powerful ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating a truly memorable snack.

Preparing Your Tempeh: The Foundation of Flavor

Every great tempeh tot begins, naturally, with quality tempeh! For those seeking a truly gluten-free experience, I highly recommend using tempeh made with brown rice. This ensures that your tots are suitable for anyone avoiding gluten without compromising on taste or texture.

While I personally tend to skip this step for convenience, some individuals find the naturally slightly bitter taste of tempeh a bit off-putting. If this describes your preference, a quick steaming can work wonders. Simply steam the block of tempeh on your stovetop for approximately 10 minutes prior to slicing. This gentle steaming process helps to mellow out any bitterness, resulting in a milder, more approachable flavor profile that is excellent for absorbing marinades.

Once your tempeh is ready – whether steamed or straight from the package – it’s time to prepare it for its tot transformation. Begin by carefully slicing each tempeh block in half. Then, take each of these halves and cut them into quarters. This method should yield a total of 16 uniform rectangular pieces, perfect for our tots. If you’re aiming for a more rustic, “uneven” or irregular texture, similar to traditional potato tots, feel free to gently smash each rectangle slightly after cutting. This small technique can add a charming, homemade appeal to your finished product, allowing for more nooks and crannies to capture that delicious crispy coating.

Crafting the Flavorful Marinade and Coating Process

With your tempeh prepared, the next crucial step is to create the aromatic marinade that will infuse our tots with incredible flavor. I find it most efficient to mix this directly in a rectangular or square baking dish. This not only saves on washing extra bowls but also allows for easy marination. Ensure your chosen dish has sufficient surface area so that all the tempeh tots can rest comfortably without overcrowding or touching too much, allowing each piece to fully soak up the delicious liquid.

Into your baking dish, combine the unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast (which provides that essential savory, umami “cheesy” note), dried rosemary, dried thyme, dried sage, arrowroot powder (for a slight thickening and crisping effect), fresh lemon juice (for brightness), a good pinch of black pepper, and Himalayan sea salt. Whisk all these ingredients vigorously until they form a smooth, golden paste. The aroma alone will start your mouth watering!

Next, add your prepared tempeh squares to this flavorful mixture. Using a fork or your hands, gently toss the tempeh until each piece is completely covered and glistening with the marinade. Allow these flavor-packed morsels to marinate on your kitchen counter for approximately 10 minutes. For an even distribution of flavor, remember to flip them once halfway through the marinating time, ensuring all sides absorb the herby goodness.

While your tempeh is soaking up the marinade, seize the opportunity to get your almond flour ready. Pour it into a separate, shallow bowl. This preparatory step ensures a smooth transition to the coating stage, minimizing mess and maximizing efficiency.

Perfecting the Breading for Ultimate Crispiness

For the grain-free, delightfully crispy “breading” of these tempeh tots, I prefer to use super-fine almond flour. Its delicate texture adheres beautifully and creates a wonderfully light crunch. However, if super-fine isn’t available, almond meal will also work perfectly, offering a slightly coarser, yet equally delicious, coating. Should almond flour not be an option, don’t despair! You can easily substitute it with your favorite gluten-free crackers, finely crushed, or even a good quality gluten-free bread crumb, ensuring the recipe remains adaptable to your pantry.

Now comes the fun part: coating the marinated tempeh. To keep things clean and efficient, I highly recommend employing the “wet hand, dry hand” technique. Designate one hand specifically for handling the marinated tempeh (your “wet” hand) and the other for working with the almond flour (your “dry” hand). Carefully transfer each soaked tempeh tot from the marinade to the bowl of almond flour using your “wet” hand. Then, use your “dry” hand to roughly coat the tempeh, pressing the flour gently onto all sides. This method prevents the almond flour from clumping and ensures a consistent, even coating.

Once coated, gently shake off any excess almond flour from each tot. This step is crucial for achieving that desired crispy texture without a thick, doughy layer. Place the coated tots onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper is vital for preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze. Continue this process, one by one, until all of your marinated tempeh tots are beautifully coated in almond flour and neatly arranged on the baking sheet, ready for their journey to the oven.

Baking to Perfection and Serving Suggestions

Once all your tempeh tots are perfectly coated and arranged on the parchment-lined baking sheet, it’s time to bring them to life in the oven. Carefully transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and let them bake for approximately 30 minutes. To ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides, remember to flip the tots halfway through the baking process. This simple action will guarantee that every surface develops that coveted golden-brown hue and satisfying crunch.

You’ll know your tempeh tots are done when the almond flour coating achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and feels firm to the touch. It’s important to note that they might not develop a deep, dark brown like some fried foods, but they should certainly be compact, firm, and wonderfully crispy on the exterior. The internal texture of the tempeh will remain tender and flavorful, offering a delightful contrast to the crunchy breading. Once baked to perfection, remove the tots from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet. This brief cooling period helps them firm up even further, enhancing their crispiness before serving.

These Baked Tempeh Tots are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. As a protein-packed snack, they are simply divine on their own, perhaps with a sprinkle of extra sea salt. But their true potential shines when paired with your favorite dip! Consider serving them with a vibrant homemade guacamole, a creamy hummus, classic ketchup, or a rich, nutty tahini sauce for an elevated experience. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to customize your tot experience to your palate.

Versatile Enjoyment: From Snacks to Main Meals

These Baked Tempeh Tots are more than just a delicious protein-packed snack; they are an incredibly versatile addition to your plant-based kitchen repertoire. Imagine the convenience of having a batch of these savory bites ready to go! I highly recommend baking a pan (or even a double batch!) ahead of time and keeping them on hand in the refrigerator. This way, you’ll have an effortless source of wholesome, plant-based protein throughout your busy week, ready to elevate any meal or satisfy a sudden craving.

Their ease of reheating makes them a fantastic meal prep component. Simply warm them up in the oven or an air fryer to restore their delightful crispiness. Then, throw them on top of vibrant power bowls for an extra boost of protein and texture, toss them into fresh, crisp salads to transform a simple greens dish into a hearty meal, or plate them alongside roasted vegetables and grains to bring your entire dinner together with minimal fuss. They add a satisfying chewiness and a burst of savory flavor to almost any dish, making healthy eating both easy and exciting.

If you choose to enjoy them as a standalone snack, the dipping possibilities are truly endless and part of the fun! Beyond the classic ketchup, consider exploring a creamy avocado dip, a spicy sriracha mayo (vegan, of course!), a bright and zesty lemon-tahini dressing, or even a rich, smoky BBQ sauce. The recipe below yields 16 delicious tots, a perfect amount for sharing or for several snack sessions. However, feel absolutely free to halve the recipe and marinade if you’re cooking for one or desire fewer bites, or generously double it to cater to a larger gathering or to stock up for the week. No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these Baked Tempeh Tots are designed to bring joy and nutrition to your plate. Enjoy every single bite!

I genuinely hope you love these Baked Tempeh Tots as much as I do! If you decide to give this recipe a try in your kitchen, please don’t keep it a secret. I would absolutely love to hear about your experience!

Be sure to leave me a comment below, along with a rating and a review. Your valuable feedback is incredibly helpful and inspires me to continue creating and sharing more delicious, plant-based recipes for you all. Sharing your culinary creations is also a wonderful way to connect!

Give me a shout on Instagram and remember to use the hashtag #floraandvino so I can admire your beautifully crafted tempeh tots. For more recipe inspiration and to save ideas for later, make sure to check out my Pinterest page, where you’ll find this recipe and many others to pin and enjoy at your convenience.

If you’re craving more delightful, healthy fry and tot alternatives, I have plenty of other exciting recipes for you to explore. Don’t miss my Oil-Free Sweet Potato Fries with Lemon & Tahini, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy. For something truly unique, try the Tri-Spiced Yam Fries with Oil-Free Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, offering a burst of flavors. And for a vibrant, eye-catching side, my Purple Sweet Potato Fries with Beet Ketchup are an absolute must-try!

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Warmly,

XO Lauren

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