Baked Buffalo Tempeh Tenders

Name: Baked Buffalo Tempeh Tenders
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz fresh tempeh, sliced ½”-thick tender-shaped strips; ¾ cup buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot Buffalo), divided; ½ cup AP flour + ¼ tsp each: salt, pepper; 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2½ tbsp water, rest 10 min); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; celery sticks + ranch for serving

June 19, 2026

Baked Buffalo Tempeh Tenders is a soy-free tempeh snack made with fresh, fermented chickpea tempeh instead of soy. A few simple swaps keep it gluten-free, too.

3 to 4 servings · About 45 min · Soy-free · Gluten-free option

Why fermented chickpea tempeh

This recipe is built on our fresh chickpea tempeh, which is fermented rather than pasteurized, so the culture stays active and the flavor stays full. It is naturally soy-free and holds its texture through cooking.

Ingredients

8 oz fresh tempeh, sliced ½”-thick tender-shaped strips
¾ cup buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot Buffalo), divided
½ cup AP flour + ¼ tsp each: salt, pepper
1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2½ tbsp water, rest 10 min)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
celery sticks + ranch for serving

Instructions

Cover tempeh with ½ cup buffalo sauce. Refrigerate 1 hour. Preheat oven 375°F, parchment-lined sheet pan.
Breading station. (1) flour + salt + pepper, (2) flax egg (gel-like), (3) panko.
Remove tempeh from marinade, shake off excess. Flour → flax egg → panko (press firmly).
Bake. 20 min, flip, 12 to 15 more min until deep golden.
Glaze. Warm remaining ¼ cup sauce, brush on tenders, return to oven 3 to 5 min to set.

Make it with

This pairs with Buffalo Nugz, Buffalo Tempeh Jerky and Tomatillo Basil Ranch. Start from a block of OG Raw Chickpea Tempeh (shop it here). Short on time? Reach for our heat-and-serve Buffalo Nugz Loaded Fries.

Allergen swaps

AP flour + panko contain WHEAT → use rice flour and GF panko breadcrumbs.

Frequently asked questions

Is Baked Buffalo Tempeh Tenders soy-free?

Yes. Our tempeh is fermented from chickpeas, not soybeans, so this recipe is naturally soy-free. Check any packaged sauces or condiments if soy is a strict concern.

How do I make it gluten-free?

The tempeh itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread, tamari, or noodles wherever the recipe calls for the standard version, and confirm any packaged sauces are gluten-free.