Vegan Polynesian Tempeh Wings (2024)

January 30, 2018 by Lauren Hartmann 11 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links in the recipe card*

Tempeh wings are very important things!

These Polynesian tempeh wings satisfy all my cravings. They are nice and crispy golden brown on the outside, firm but tender inside. Sweet and spicy, sticky and wonderful. Also, incredibly easy, like so easy. I loved chicken wings when I was a kid. My dad used to take me to gets wings as a treat, it was kind of our thing. I still crave that sticky, spiciness. I don’t crave the chicken, just the way your fingers get messy with all the perfect sauces! These Polynesian tempeh wings hit all the important points.

As time went on, I started to try different sauces for my wings. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good buffalo sauce, but I like to switch it up too. There are so many flavors to combine, so many things to try. So, eventually, I tried Polynesian wings! They were to die for. Sweet and salty and spicy and everything! These tempeh wings are a damn good replacement.

Not only are they damn good, they are baked not fried. The sauce can be made refined sugar free, and gluten free easily. So these tempeh wings can accommodate all types of diets. They are way healthier than regular chicken wings, and will totally make even heavy meat eater’s mouths water.

This recipe is so easy. Just slice some tempeh, marinate. Bake. Toss in the sauce. The sauce just combines a few ingredients in a sauce pan, and it is simmered for a couple of minutes until it thickens. The Polynesian sauce is delicious AF. I could just drink it.

These are the perfect thing for your next sporting event(I assume, as I have never watched a sport in my life), or a friendly get together with finger foods! Quick, easy, healthy(ish)!

Vegan Polynesian Tempeh Wings

Print Recipe

Baked marinated tempeh wings tossed in a Polynesian sauce made from pineapple juice and soy!

Course Appetizer

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Tempeh Wings

8 oz. Tempeh
1/2 C. Pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. Soy sauce
1/4 C. Water
1 Tbsp. Rice wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. Ginger, grated

Polynesian Wing Sauce

1/4 C. Pineapple juice
1 Tbsp. Soy sauce
1/4 C. Brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Corn starch
1/2 tsp. Sriracha
1 tsp. Ginger, grated

Instructions

Start by marinating the tempeh. Slice the block of tempeh into large slices, then place in a deep bowl.
Then pour the pineapple juice, soy sauce, water, rice wine vinegar and ginger for the wings into the bowl with the tempeh.
Toss the tempeh in the marinade ingredients, and make sure the tempeh is submerged as much as possible. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, the longer the better. Toss the tempeh every once in a while to make sure all sides soak up the marinade.
Now preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a sheet pan with non stick spray. Then remove the tempeh from the marinade, and place on the sheet pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the tempeh starts to get brown and crisp on the outside. Flip the tempeh over and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the tempeh is browned on all sides and nice and firm.
While the tempeh is baking, make the wing sauce. In a small sauce pan combine all the sauce ingredients, the pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, corn starch, sriracha, and ginger. Whisk together until the corn starch has dissolved.
Now heat on medium low whisking, until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Once the wings are done, add them to the sauce and toss to coat. Then place back on the sheet pan. and bake for another 2-3 minutes. Until the tempeh is all brown and sticky.
Now you can toss back in the sauce if there is extra, and serve immediately. I recommend topping with green onions and dipping in soy sauce and vinegar.

Notes

Sauce adapted from Epicurious.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Jodi
February 12, 2018 at 8:29 am
These look so easy to make and delicious! I can’t wait to make them.
See Also
Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe - Nutrition By Laura
Reply
Maggie Livelsberger
February 19, 2018 at 9:58 pm
Hey! I just made this recipe, I absolutely love it! However, the tempeh crumbled as I was mixing in the sauce. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep it together better? Thanks!
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  February 19, 2018 at 11:00 pm
  Well I’m sorry! That has never happened to me. I guess I would say make sure they are super firm after baking, and then either just gently coat one at a time or maybe brush them with the sauce! I hope that helps!💕
  Reply
Toube B
July 26, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Hi, Lauren! LOVE your recipes! Quick (silly) question. What kind of vinegar do you put in the dipping sauce? Rice? White? Thanks!!!
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  July 26, 2018 at 3:43 pm
  Hi there! Thank you! So glad to hear that. Sorry about being confusing, I use Rice wine vinegar!
  Reply
Tara
March 26, 2019 at 12:22 am
I found your recipe on Pinterest and it was so, so good! My boyfriend and I inhaled them. Thanks for the intro to tempeh!
Reply
Cora
September 20, 2019 at 2:44 am

Made as a main with brown rice and extra sauce. So good!
Reply
Jeff Beeman
October 13, 2019 at 2:45 pm

Love your recipes! I am gathering ingredents to make today or tomorrow . I don’t do sugar, and am going to try to substitute maple syrup. Thanks
!
Reply
Anelyse
May 7, 2020 at 3:26 am

Amid a world that is feeling pretty bleak these days, the wings were a huge hit and a fabulous treat. Served them for supper this evening with quinoa, steamed carrots and pak choi, baby corn, red cabbage and toasted seaweed strips. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Reply
Shannon Pukl
October 25, 2021 at 10:33 am

After finding your Lentil Frisco Melt recipe, I have been trying so many of your other creations and you do not disappoint! The tempeh wings are no exception! My husband likes spicy food, so on our second round of this dish we added 6 arbol chilies into the marinade and then incorporated 2-3 into the wing sauce. Adds a nice kick, taste puts us in mind of a general Tso’s sauce. Another great recipe! Thank you!
Reply
nancy
February 10, 2024 at 10:30 am

I am making these for a supper bowl party. Looks delish! is it possible to make ahead of time and reheat later? thanks for posting this recipe, I am looking forward to trying it.
Reply