diff --git a/esphome/components/analog_threshold/analog_threshold_binary_sensor.h b/esphome/components/analog_threshold/analog_threshold_binary_sensor.h
index dd70768105..55a822b9b0 100644
--- a/esphome/components/analog_threshold/analog_threshold_binary_sensor.h
+++ b/esphome/components/analog_threshold/analog_threshold_binary_sensor.h
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ class AnalogThresholdBinarySensor : public Component, public binary_sensor::Bina
 
  protected:
   sensor::Sensor *sensor_{nullptr};
-  TemplatableValue<float> upper_threshold_{};
-  TemplatableValue<float> lower_threshold_{};
+  TemplatableFn<float> upper_threshold_{};
+  TemplatableFn<float> lower_threshold_{};
   bool raw_state_{false};  // Pre-filter state for hysteresis logic
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
index d1b8a6ef0d..29eadda927 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/user_services.h
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class APIRespondAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 
  protected:
   APIServer *parent_;
-  TemplatableValue<bool, Ts...> success_{true};
+  TemplatableFn<bool, Ts...> success_{[](Ts...) -> bool { return true; }};
   TemplatableValue<std::string, Ts...> error_message_{""};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES_JSON
   std::function<void(Ts..., JsonObject)> json_builder_;
diff --git a/esphome/components/binary_sensor/filter.h b/esphome/components/binary_sensor/filter.h
index 37c6bf0092..2e45554f81 100644
--- a/esphome/components/binary_sensor/filter.h
+++ b/esphome/components/binary_sensor/filter.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class TimeoutFilter : public Filter, public Component {
   template<typename T> void set_timeout_value(T timeout) { this->timeout_delay_ = timeout; }
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> timeout_delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> timeout_delay_{};
 };
 
 class DelayedOnOffFilter final : public Filter, public Component {
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ class DelayedOnOffFilter final : public Filter, public Component {
   template<typename T> void set_off_delay(T delay) { this->off_delay_ = delay; }
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> on_delay_{};
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> off_delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> on_delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> off_delay_{};
 };
 
 class DelayedOnFilter : public Filter, public Component {
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class DelayedOnFilter : public Filter, public Component {
   template<typename T> void set_delay(T delay) { this->delay_ = delay; }
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> delay_{};
 };
 
 class DelayedOffFilter : public Filter, public Component {
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class DelayedOffFilter : public Filter, public Component {
   template<typename T> void set_delay(T delay) { this->delay_ = delay; }
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> delay_{};
 };
 
 class InvertFilter : public Filter {
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class SettleFilter : public Filter, public Component {
   template<typename T> void set_delay(T delay) { this->delay_ = delay; }
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> delay_{};
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> delay_{};
   bool steady_{true};
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/cc1101/__init__.py b/esphome/components/cc1101/__init__.py
index 2709290862..0feb384ac2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/cc1101/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/cc1101/__init__.py
@@ -423,11 +423,10 @@ def _register_setter_actions():
             var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg)
             await cg.register_parented(var, config[CONF_ID])
             data = config[CONF_VALUE]
-            if cg.is_template(data):
-                templ_ = await cg.templatable(data, args, _type)
-                cg.add(getattr(var, _setter)(templ_))
-            else:
-                cg.add(getattr(var, _setter)(_map[data] if _map else data))
+            if _map and not cg.is_template(data):
+                data = _map[data]
+            templ_ = await cg.templatable(data, args, _type)
+            cg.add(getattr(var, _setter)(templ_))
             return var
 
         automation.register_action(
diff --git a/esphome/components/datetime/__init__.py b/esphome/components/datetime/__init__.py
index 90835624bf..895ac4e243 100644
--- a/esphome/components/datetime/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/datetime/__init__.py
@@ -204,7 +204,8 @@ async def datetime_date_set_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             ("month", date_config[CONF_MONTH]),
             ("year", date_config[CONF_YEAR]),
         )
-        cg.add(action_var.set_date(date_struct))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(date_struct, args, cg.ESPTime)
+        cg.add(action_var.set_date(template_))
     return action_var
 
 
@@ -236,7 +237,8 @@ async def datetime_time_set_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             ("minute", time_config[CONF_MINUTE]),
             ("hour", time_config[CONF_HOUR]),
         )
-        cg.add(action_var.set_time(time_struct))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(time_struct, args, cg.ESPTime)
+        cg.add(action_var.set_time(template_))
     return action_var
 
 
@@ -271,5 +273,6 @@ async def datetime_datetime_set_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             ("month", datetime_config[CONF_MONTH]),
             ("year", datetime_config[CONF_YEAR]),
         )
-        cg.add(action_var.set_datetime(datetime_struct))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(datetime_struct, args, cg.ESPTime)
+        cg.add(action_var.set_datetime(template_))
     return action_var
diff --git a/esphome/components/display/__init__.py b/esphome/components/display/__init__.py
index 67d76a59d9..744b5d16c4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/display/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/display/__init__.py
@@ -207,7 +207,8 @@ async def display_page_show_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
         cg.add(var.set_page(template_))
     else:
         paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
-        cg.add(var.set_page(paren))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(paren, args, DisplayPagePtr)
+        cg.add(var.set_page(template_))
     return var
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/__init__.py b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/__init__.py
index b9c4c28ccf..d758b400c4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/__init__.py
@@ -378,7 +378,8 @@ async def esp32_ble_tracker_start_scan_action_to_code(
 ):
     paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
-    cg.add(var.set_continuous(config[CONF_CONTINUOUS]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_CONTINUOUS], args, cg.bool_)
+    cg.add(var.set_continuous(template_))
     return var
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/globals/__init__.py b/esphome/components/globals/__init__.py
index fe83b1ea7c..ec6730a41c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/globals/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/globals/__init__.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def globals_set_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     template_arg = cg.TemplateArguments(full_id.type, *template_arg)
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
     templ = await cg.templatable(
-        config[CONF_VALUE], args, None, to_exp=cg.RawExpression
+        config[CONF_VALUE], args, None, to_exp=cg.RawExpression, wrap_constant=True
     )
     cg.add(var.set_value(templ))
     return var
diff --git a/esphome/components/http_request/__init__.py b/esphome/components/http_request/__init__.py
index 416432cfc4..90879c459e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/http_request/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/http_request/__init__.py
@@ -302,11 +302,13 @@ async def http_request_action_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
 
     template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_URL], args, cg.std_string)
     cg.add(var.set_url(template_))
-    cg.add(var.set_method(config[CONF_METHOD]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_METHOD], args, cg.const_char_ptr)
+    cg.add(var.set_method(template_))
 
     capture_response = config[CONF_CAPTURE_RESPONSE]
     if capture_response:
-        cg.add(var.set_capture_response(capture_response))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(capture_response, args, cg.bool_)
+        cg.add(var.set_capture_response(template_))
         cg.add_define("USE_HTTP_REQUEST_RESPONSE")
 
     cg.add(var.set_max_response_buffer_size(config[CONF_MAX_RESPONSE_BUFFER_SIZE]))
diff --git a/esphome/components/http_request/http_request.h b/esphome/components/http_request/http_request.h
index 73dbda8694..ae73983bab 100644
--- a/esphome/components/http_request/http_request.h
+++ b/esphome/components/http_request/http_request.h
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class HttpRequestSendAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 #endif
 
   void init_request_headers(size_t count) { this->request_headers_.init(count); }
-  void add_request_header(const char *key, TemplatableValue<const char *, Ts...> value) {
+  void add_request_header(const char *key, TemplatableFn<const char *, Ts...> value) {
     this->request_headers_.push_back({key, value});
   }
 
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class HttpRequestSendAction : public Action<Ts...> {
     }
   }
   HttpRequestComponent *parent_;
-  FixedVector<std::pair<const char *, TemplatableValue<const char *, Ts...>>> request_headers_{};
+  FixedVector<std::pair<const char *, TemplatableFn<const char *, Ts...>>> request_headers_{};
   std::vector<std::string> lower_case_collect_headers_{"content-type", "content-length"};
   FixedVector<std::pair<const char *, TemplatableValue<std::string, Ts...>>> json_{};
   std::function<void(Ts..., JsonObject)> json_func_{nullptr};
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/automation.h b/esphome/components/light/automation.h
index a5c9220a23..f6a2ca52d4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/light/automation.h
@@ -24,51 +24,60 @@ template<typename... Ts> class ToggleAction : public Action<Ts...> {
   LightState *state_;
 };
 
-/// Compact light control action — each field is a function pointer (nullptr = unset).
-/// Codegen wraps constants in stateless lambdas. 72 bytes vs 128 with TemplatableValue.
 template<typename... Ts> class LightControlAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit LightControlAction(LightState *parent) : parent_(parent) {}
 
-#define LIGHT_CONTROL_FIELDS(X) \
-  X(ColorMode, color_mode) \
-  X(bool, state) \
-  X(uint32_t, transition_length) \
-  X(uint32_t, flash_length) \
-  X(float, brightness) \
-  X(float, color_brightness) \
-  X(float, red) \
-  X(float, green) \
-  X(float, blue) \
-  X(float, white) \
-  X(float, color_temperature) \
-  X(float, cold_white) \
-  X(float, warm_white) \
-  X(uint32_t, effect)
-
-#define LIGHT_FIELD_SETTER_(type, name) \
-  void set_##name(type (*f)(Ts...)) { this->name##_ = f; }
-#define LIGHT_FIELD_APPLY_(type, name) \
-  if (this->name##_) \
-    call.set_##name(this->name##_(x...));
-#define LIGHT_FIELD_DECL_(type, name) type (*name##_)(Ts...){nullptr};
-
-  LIGHT_CONTROL_FIELDS(LIGHT_FIELD_SETTER_)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(ColorMode, color_mode)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(bool, state)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, transition_length)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, flash_length)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, brightness)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, color_brightness)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, red)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, green)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, blue)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, white)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, color_temperature)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, cold_white)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(float, warm_white)
+  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, effect)
 
   void play(const Ts &...x) override {
     auto call = this->parent_->make_call();
-    LIGHT_CONTROL_FIELDS(LIGHT_FIELD_APPLY_)
+    if (this->color_mode_.has_value())
+      call.set_color_mode(this->color_mode_.value(x...));
+    if (this->state_.has_value())
+      call.set_state(this->state_.value(x...));
+    if (this->transition_length_.has_value())
+      call.set_transition_length(this->transition_length_.value(x...));
+    if (this->flash_length_.has_value())
+      call.set_flash_length(this->flash_length_.value(x...));
+    if (this->brightness_.has_value())
+      call.set_brightness(this->brightness_.value(x...));
+    if (this->color_brightness_.has_value())
+      call.set_color_brightness(this->color_brightness_.value(x...));
+    if (this->red_.has_value())
+      call.set_red(this->red_.value(x...));
+    if (this->green_.has_value())
+      call.set_green(this->green_.value(x...));
+    if (this->blue_.has_value())
+      call.set_blue(this->blue_.value(x...));
+    if (this->white_.has_value())
+      call.set_white(this->white_.value(x...));
+    if (this->color_temperature_.has_value())
+      call.set_color_temperature(this->color_temperature_.value(x...));
+    if (this->cold_white_.has_value())
+      call.set_cold_white(this->cold_white_.value(x...));
+    if (this->warm_white_.has_value())
+      call.set_warm_white(this->warm_white_.value(x...));
+    if (this->effect_.has_value())
+      call.set_effect(this->effect_.value(x...));
     call.perform();
   }
 
  protected:
   LightState *parent_;
-  LIGHT_CONTROL_FIELDS(LIGHT_FIELD_DECL_)
-
-#undef LIGHT_FIELD_DECL_
-#undef LIGHT_FIELD_APPLY_
-#undef LIGHT_FIELD_SETTER_
-#undef LIGHT_CONTROL_FIELDS
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class DimRelativeAction : public Action<Ts...> {
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/automation.py b/esphome/components/light/automation.py
index 365a64584c..2400822b31 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/automation.py
+++ b/esphome/components/light/automation.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from typing import Any
-
 from esphome import automation
 import esphome.codegen as cg
 from esphome.config import path_context
@@ -30,7 +28,7 @@ from esphome.const import (
 )
 from esphome.core import CORE, EsphomeError, Lambda
 from esphome.cpp_generator import LambdaExpression
-from esphome.types import ConfigType, SafeExpType
+from esphome.types import ConfigType
 
 from .types import (
     COLOR_MODES,
@@ -143,28 +141,6 @@ LIGHT_TURN_ON_ACTION_SCHEMA = automation.maybe_simple_id(
 )
 
 
-async def _as_lambda(
-    value: Any,
-    args: list[tuple[SafeExpType, str]],
-    output_type: SafeExpType,
-) -> LambdaExpression:
-    """Return a stateless lambda expression for a templatable value.
-
-    If value is already a lambda, process it normally. Otherwise wrap
-    the constant in a ``[](...) -> T { return <value>; }`` expression
-    so that LightControlAction can store every field as a plain
-    function pointer.
-    """
-    if cg.is_template(value):
-        return await cg.process_lambda(value, args, return_type=output_type)
-    return LambdaExpression(
-        f"return {cg.safe_exp(value)};",
-        args,
-        capture="",
-        return_type=output_type,
-    )
-
-
 def _resolve_effect_index(config: ConfigType) -> int:
     """Resolve a static effect name to its 1-based index at codegen time.
 
@@ -222,9 +198,8 @@ async def light_control_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     )
     for conf_key, setter, type_ in FIELDS:
         if conf_key in config:
-            cg.add(
-                getattr(var, setter)(await _as_lambda(config[conf_key], args, type_))
-            )
+            template_ = await cg.templatable(config[conf_key], args, type_)
+            cg.add(getattr(var, setter)(template_))
 
     if CONF_EFFECT in config:
         if isinstance(config[CONF_EFFECT], Lambda):
@@ -248,11 +223,10 @@ async def light_control_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             cg.add(var.set_effect(wrapper))
         else:
             # Static string — resolve effect name to index at codegen time
-            cg.add(
-                var.set_effect(
-                    await _as_lambda(_resolve_effect_index(config), args, cg.uint32)
-                )
+            template_ = await cg.templatable(
+                _resolve_effect_index(config), args, cg.uint32
             )
+            cg.add(var.set_effect(template_))
     return var
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/lightwaverf/__init__.py b/esphome/components/lightwaverf/__init__.py
index 46c400cb0e..76eabc2b71 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lightwaverf/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lightwaverf/__init__.py
@@ -61,15 +61,13 @@ async def send_raw_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
 
-    repeats = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_REPEAT], args, int)
-    inverted = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_INVERTED], args, bool)
-    pulse_length = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_PULSE_LENGTH], args, int)
-    code = config[CONF_CODE]
-
-    cg.add(var.set_repeats(repeats))
-    cg.add(var.set_inverted(inverted))
-    cg.add(var.set_pulse_length(pulse_length))
-    cg.add(var.set_data(code))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_REPEAT], args, cg.int_)
+    cg.add(var.set_repeat(template_))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_INVERTED], args, cg.int_)
+    cg.add(var.set_inverted(template_))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_PULSE_LENGTH], args, cg.int_)
+    cg.add(var.set_pulse_length(template_))
+    cg.add(var.set_code(config[CONF_CODE]))
     return var
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/lightwaverf/lightwaverf.h b/esphome/components/lightwaverf/lightwaverf.h
index ee4e91e9d1..6210e6b5d4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lightwaverf/lightwaverf.h
+++ b/esphome/components/lightwaverf/lightwaverf.h
@@ -45,11 +45,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class SendRawAction : public Action<Ts...> {
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(int, inverted);
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(int, pulse_length);
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(std::vector<uint8_t>, code);
-
-  void set_repeats(const int &data) { repeat_ = data; }
-  void set_inverted(const int &data) { inverted_ = data; }
-  void set_pulse_length(const int &data) { pulse_length_ = data; }
-  void set_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) { code_ = data; }
+  void set_code(std::initializer_list<uint8_t> data) { this->code_ = std::vector<uint8_t>(data); }
 
   void play(const Ts &...x) {
     int repeats = this->repeat_.value(x...);
diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.cpp b/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.cpp
index 0c4e7a3425..ce9b013dcf 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.cpp
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ void LvglComponent::flush_cb_(lv_display_t *disp_drv, const lv_area_t *area, uin
   lv_display_flush_ready(disp_drv);
 }
 
-IdleTrigger::IdleTrigger(LvglComponent *parent, TemplatableValue<uint32_t> timeout) : timeout_(std::move(timeout)) {
+IdleTrigger::IdleTrigger(LvglComponent *parent, TemplatableFn<uint32_t> timeout) : timeout_(timeout) {
   parent->add_on_idle_callback([this](uint32_t idle_time) {
     if (!this->is_idle_ && idle_time > this->timeout_.value()) {
       this->is_idle_ = true;
diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.h b/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.h
index 3433aaa527..3ba258b1a2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.h
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/lvgl_esphome.h
@@ -284,10 +284,10 @@ class LvglComponent : public PollingComponent {
 
 class IdleTrigger : public Trigger<> {
  public:
-  explicit IdleTrigger(LvglComponent *parent, TemplatableValue<uint32_t> timeout);
+  explicit IdleTrigger(LvglComponent *parent, TemplatableFn<uint32_t> timeout);
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<uint32_t> timeout_;
+  TemplatableFn<uint32_t> timeout_;
   bool is_idle_{};
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/max7219digit/display.py b/esphome/components/max7219digit/display.py
index eb751b995d..df2423b0d0 100644
--- a/esphome/components/max7219digit/display.py
+++ b/esphome/components/max7219digit/display.py
@@ -147,7 +147,8 @@ MAX7219_ON_ACTION_SCHEMA = automation.maybe_simple_id(
 async def max7219digit_invert_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg)
     await cg.register_parented(var, config[CONF_ID])
-    cg.add(var.set_state(config[CONF_STATE]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_STATE], args, cg.bool_)
+    cg.add(var.set_state(template_))
     return var
 
 
@@ -166,7 +167,8 @@ async def max7219digit_invert_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
 async def max7219digit_visible_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg)
     await cg.register_parented(var, config[CONF_ID])
-    cg.add(var.set_state(config[CONF_STATE]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_STATE], args, cg.bool_)
+    cg.add(var.set_state(template_))
     return var
 
 
@@ -185,7 +187,8 @@ async def max7219digit_visible_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
 async def max7219digit_reverse_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg)
     await cg.register_parented(var, config[CONF_ID])
-    cg.add(var.set_state(config[CONF_STATE]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_STATE], args, cg.bool_)
+    cg.add(var.set_state(template_))
     return var
 
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py b/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
index 0d535d6970..79d355e8ae 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from esphome.const import (
 )
 from esphome.core import CORE, Lambda, coroutine_with_priority
 from esphome.coroutine import CoroPriority
+from esphome.cpp_generator import LambdaExpression
 from esphome.types import ConfigType
 
 CODEOWNERS = ["@esphome/core"]
@@ -131,6 +132,12 @@ def mdns_service(
     Returns:
         A StructInitializer representing a MDNSService struct
     """
+    # Wrap port in a stateless lambda for TemplatableFn storage.
+    # Can't use cg.templatable() here because this is a sync function.
+    if not isinstance(port, LambdaExpression):
+        port = LambdaExpression(
+            f"return {cg.safe_exp(port)};", [], capture="", return_type=cg.uint16
+        )
     return cg.StructInitializer(
         MDNSService,
         ("service_type", cg.RawExpression(f"MDNS_STR({cg.safe_exp(service)})")),
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
index 342a6e6c64..e05373ac5d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_(StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUN
     auto &service = services.emplace_next();
     service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_ESPHOMELIB);
     service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
-    service.port = api::global_api_server->get_port();
+    service.port = []() -> uint16_t { return api::global_api_server->get_port(); };
 
     const auto &friendly_name = App.get_friendly_name();
     bool friendly_name_empty = friendly_name.empty();
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_(StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUN
   auto &prom_service = services.emplace_next();
   prom_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_PROMETHEUS);
   prom_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
-  prom_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
+  prom_service.port = []() -> uint16_t { return USE_WEBSERVER_PORT; };
 #endif
 
 #ifdef USE_SENDSPIN
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_(StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUN
   auto &sendspin_service = services.emplace_next();
   sendspin_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_SENDSPIN);
   sendspin_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
-  sendspin_service.port = USE_SENDSPIN_PORT;
+  sendspin_service.port = []() -> uint16_t { return USE_SENDSPIN_PORT; };
   sendspin_service.txt_records = {{MDNS_STR(TXT_SENDSPIN_PATH), MDNS_STR(VALUE_SENDSPIN_PATH)}};
 #endif
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_(StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUN
   auto &web_service = services.emplace_next();
   web_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_HTTP);
   web_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
-  web_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
+  web_service.port = []() -> uint16_t { return USE_WEBSERVER_PORT; };
 #endif
 
 #if !defined(USE_API) && !defined(USE_PROMETHEUS) && !defined(USE_SENDSPIN) && !defined(USE_WEBSERVER) && \
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_(StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUN
   auto &fallback_service = services.emplace_next();
   fallback_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_HTTP);
   fallback_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
-  fallback_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
+  fallback_service.port = []() -> uint16_t { return USE_WEBSERVER_PORT; };
   fallback_service.txt_records = {{MDNS_STR(TXT_VERSION), MDNS_STR(VALUE_VERSION)}};
 #endif
 }
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::dump_config() {
   ESP_LOGV(TAG, "  Services:");
   for (const auto &service : this->services_) {
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "  - %s, %s, %d", MDNS_STR_ARG(service.service_type), MDNS_STR_ARG(service.proto),
-             const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value());
+             service.port.value());
     for (const auto &record : service.txt_records) {
       ESP_LOGV(TAG, "    TXT: %s = %s", MDNS_STR_ARG(record.key), MDNS_STR_ARG(record.value));
     }
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
index 47cad4bf71..adf88a9cf1 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ struct MDNSService {
   // second label indicating protocol _including_ underscore character prefix
   // as defined in RFC6763 Section 7, like "_tcp" or "_udp"
   const MDNSString *proto;
-  TemplatableValue<uint16_t> port;
+  TemplatableFn<uint16_t> port;
   FixedVector<MDNSTXTRecord> txt_records;
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp32.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp32.cpp
index 3e997402bc..17000a2bd7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp32.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp32.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ static void register_esp32(MDNSComponent *comp, StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_S
       txt_records.get()[i].key = MDNS_STR_ARG(record.key);
       txt_records.get()[i].value = MDNS_STR_ARG(record.value);
     }
-    uint16_t port = const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value();
+    uint16_t port = service.port.value();
     err = mdns_service_add(nullptr, MDNS_STR_ARG(service.service_type), MDNS_STR_ARG(service.proto), port,
                            txt_records.get(), service.txt_records.size());
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp8266.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp8266.cpp
index 295a408cbd..70c614f8d3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp8266.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_esp8266.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ static void register_esp8266(MDNSComponent *, StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SER
     while (progmem_read_byte((const uint8_t *) service_type) == '_') {
       service_type++;
     }
-    uint16_t port = const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value();
+    uint16_t port = service.port.value();
     MDNS.addService(FPSTR(service_type), FPSTR(proto), port);
     for (const auto &record : service.txt_records) {
       MDNS.addServiceTxt(FPSTR(service_type), FPSTR(proto), FPSTR(MDNS_STR_ARG(record.key)),
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_libretiny.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_libretiny.cpp
index 986099fa1f..a543a3809a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_libretiny.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_libretiny.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ static void register_libretiny(MDNSComponent *, StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_S
     while (*service_type == '_') {
       service_type++;
     }
-    uint16_t port_ = const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value();
+    uint16_t port_ = service.port.value();
     MDNS.addService(service_type, proto, port_);
     for (const auto &record : service.txt_records) {
       MDNS.addServiceTxt(service_type, proto, MDNS_STR_ARG(record.key), MDNS_STR_ARG(record.value));
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_rp2040.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_rp2040.cpp
index 88f707afd3..64b603030c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_rp2040.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_rp2040.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ static void register_rp2040(MDNSComponent *, StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERV
     while (*service_type == '_') {
       service_type++;
     }
-    uint16_t port = const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value();
+    uint16_t port = service.port.value();
     MDNS.addService(service_type, proto, port);
     for (const auto &record : service.txt_records) {
       MDNS.addServiceTxt(service_type, proto, MDNS_STR_ARG(record.key), MDNS_STR_ARG(record.value));
diff --git a/esphome/components/number/__init__.py b/esphome/components/number/__init__.py
index 9fbaff6860..c844100258 100644
--- a/esphome/components/number/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/number/__init__.py
@@ -448,7 +448,11 @@ async def number_to_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             template_ = await cg.templatable(cycle, args, bool)
             cg.add(var.set_cycle(template_))
     if (mode := config.get(CONF_MODE)) is not None:
-        cg.add(var.set_operation(NUMBER_OPERATION_OPTIONS[mode]))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(
+            NUMBER_OPERATION_OPTIONS[mode], args, NumberOperation
+        )
+        cg.add(var.set_operation(template_))
         if (cycle := config.get(CONF_CYCLE)) is not None:
-            cg.add(var.set_cycle(cycle))
+            template_ = await cg.templatable(cycle, args, cg.bool_)
+            cg.add(var.set_cycle(template_))
     return var
diff --git a/esphome/components/number/automation.h b/esphome/components/number/automation.h
index a7cd04f083..2843aa6bf5 100644
--- a/esphome/components/number/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/number/automation.h
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ class ValueRangeTrigger : public Trigger<float>, public Component {
   Number *parent_;
   ESPPreferenceObject rtc_;
   bool previous_in_range_{false};
-  TemplatableValue<float, float> min_{NAN};
-  TemplatableValue<float, float> max_{NAN};
+  TemplatableFn<float, float> min_{[](float) -> float { return NAN; }};
+  TemplatableFn<float, float> max_{[](float) -> float { return NAN; }};
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class NumberInRangeCondition : public Condition<Ts...> {
diff --git a/esphome/components/openthread/openthread.cpp b/esphome/components/openthread/openthread.cpp
index 7c9a308303..21dad4f867 100644
--- a/esphome/components/openthread/openthread.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/openthread/openthread.cpp
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ void OpenThreadSrpComponent::setup() {
     memcpy(string, host_name.c_str(), host_name_len);
 
     // Set port
-    entry->mService.mPort = const_cast<TemplatableValue<uint16_t> &>(service.port).value();
+    entry->mService.mPort = service.port.value();
 
     otDnsTxtEntry *txt_entries =
         reinterpret_cast<otDnsTxtEntry *>(this->pool_alloc_(sizeof(otDnsTxtEntry) * service.txt_records.size()));
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/__init__.py b/esphome/components/remote_base/__init__.py
index 99eda76f81..042ac9d46a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/__init__.py
@@ -2123,7 +2123,8 @@ async def abbwelcome_action(var, config, args):
             await cg.templatable(config[CONF_MESSAGE_TYPE], args, cg.uint8)
         )
     )
-    cg.add(var.set_auto_message_id(CONF_MESSAGE_ID not in config))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(CONF_MESSAGE_ID not in config, args, cg.bool_)
+    cg.add(var.set_auto_message_id(template_))
     if CONF_MESSAGE_ID in config:
         cg.add(
             var.set_message_id(
@@ -2231,3 +2232,9 @@ async def Toto_action(var, config, args):
     cg.add(var.set_rc_code_2(template_))
     template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_COMMAND], args, cg.uint8)
     cg.add(var.set_command(template_))
+    # Set toto-specific defaults (only if user didn't configure repeat)
+    if CONF_REPEAT not in config:
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(3, args, cg.uint32)
+        cg.add(var.set_send_times(template_))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(36000, args, cg.uint32)
+        cg.add(var.set_send_wait(template_))
diff --git a/esphome/components/remote_base/toto_protocol.h b/esphome/components/remote_base/toto_protocol.h
index 6a635b0f7c..53d453f7e3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/remote_base/toto_protocol.h
+++ b/esphome/components/remote_base/toto_protocol.h
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@ template<typename... Ts> class TotoAction : public RemoteTransmitterActionBase<T
     data.rc_code_1 = this->rc_code_1_.value(x...);
     data.rc_code_2 = this->rc_code_2_.value(x...);
     data.command = this->command_.value(x...);
-    this->set_send_times(this->send_times_.value_or(x..., 3));
-    this->set_send_wait(this->send_wait_.value_or(x..., 36000));
     TotoProtocol().encode(dst, data);
   }
 };
diff --git a/esphome/components/script/script.h b/esphome/components/script/script.h
index cd1a084f16..a0dffe26bf 100644
--- a/esphome/components/script/script.h
+++ b/esphome/components/script/script.h
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ template<class... As, typename... Ts> class ScriptExecuteAction<Script<As...>, T
  public:
   ScriptExecuteAction(Script<As...> *script) : script_(script) {}
 
-  using Args = std::tuple<TemplatableValue<As, Ts...>...>;
+  using Args = std::tuple<TemplatableFn<As, Ts...>...>;
 
   template<typename... F> void set_args(F... x) { args_ = Args{x...}; }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/select/__init__.py b/esphome/components/select/__init__.py
index b2c17f59ac..8c7c8f00fa 100644
--- a/esphome/components/select/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/select/__init__.py
@@ -282,7 +282,11 @@ async def select_operation_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
             template_ = await cg.templatable(cycle, args, bool)
             cg.add(var.set_cycle(template_))
     if (mode := config.get(CONF_MODE)) is not None:
-        cg.add(var.set_operation(SELECT_OPERATION_OPTIONS[mode]))
+        template_ = await cg.templatable(
+            SELECT_OPERATION_OPTIONS[mode], args, SelectOperation
+        )
+        cg.add(var.set_operation(template_))
         if (cycle := config.get(CONF_CYCLE)) is not None:
-            cg.add(var.set_cycle(cycle))
+            template_ = await cg.templatable(cycle, args, cg.bool_)
+            cg.add(var.set_cycle(template_))
     return var
diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h b/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
index b4de712727..37578f5320 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/automation.h
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ class ValueRangeTrigger : public Trigger<float>, public Component {
   Sensor *parent_;
   ESPPreferenceObject rtc_;
   bool previous_in_range_{false};
-  TemplatableValue<float, float> min_{NAN};
-  TemplatableValue<float, float> max_{NAN};
+  TemplatableFn<float, float> min_{[](float) -> float { return NAN; }};
+  TemplatableFn<float, float> max_{[](float) -> float { return NAN; }};
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class SensorInRangeCondition : public Condition<Ts...> {
diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.cpp b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.cpp
index 6a90a5af66..fbac7d3535 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.cpp
@@ -213,17 +213,17 @@ optional<float> LambdaFilter::new_value(float value) {
 }
 
 // OffsetFilter
-OffsetFilter::OffsetFilter(TemplatableValue<float> offset) : offset_(std::move(offset)) {}
+OffsetFilter::OffsetFilter(TemplatableFn<float> offset) : offset_(offset) {}
 
 optional<float> OffsetFilter::new_value(float value) { return value + this->offset_.value(); }
 
 // MultiplyFilter
-MultiplyFilter::MultiplyFilter(TemplatableValue<float> multiplier) : multiplier_(std::move(multiplier)) {}
+MultiplyFilter::MultiplyFilter(TemplatableFn<float> multiplier) : multiplier_(multiplier) {}
 
 optional<float> MultiplyFilter::new_value(float value) { return value * this->multiplier_.value(); }
 
 // ValueListFilter helper (non-template, shared by all ValueListFilter<N> instantiations)
-bool value_list_matches_any(Sensor *parent, float sensor_value, const TemplatableValue<float> *values, size_t count) {
+bool value_list_matches_any(Sensor *parent, float sensor_value, const TemplatableFn<float> *values, size_t count) {
   int8_t accuracy = parent->get_accuracy_decimals();
   float accuracy_mult = pow10_int(accuracy);
   float rounded_sensor = roundf(accuracy_mult * sensor_value);
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ optional<float> ThrottleFilter::new_value(float value) {
 }
 
 // ThrottleWithPriorityFilter helper (non-template, keeps App access in .cpp)
-optional<float> throttle_with_priority_new_value(Sensor *parent, float value, const TemplatableValue<float> *values,
+optional<float> throttle_with_priority_new_value(Sensor *parent, float value, const TemplatableFn<float> *values,
                                                  size_t count, uint32_t &last_input, uint32_t min_time_between_inputs) {
   const uint32_t now = App.get_loop_component_start_time();
   if (last_input == 0 || now - last_input >= min_time_between_inputs ||
diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
index cb4abd154a..0dbbc33ab3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
@@ -311,26 +311,26 @@ class StatelessLambdaFilter : public Filter {
 /// A simple filter that adds `offset` to each value it receives.
 class OffsetFilter : public Filter {
  public:
-  explicit OffsetFilter(TemplatableValue<float> offset);
+  explicit OffsetFilter(TemplatableFn<float> offset);
 
   optional<float> new_value(float value) override;
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<float> offset_;
+  TemplatableFn<float> offset_;
 };
 
 /// A simple filter that multiplies to each value it receives by `multiplier`.
 class MultiplyFilter : public Filter {
  public:
-  explicit MultiplyFilter(TemplatableValue<float> multiplier);
+  explicit MultiplyFilter(TemplatableFn<float> multiplier);
   optional<float> new_value(float value) override;
 
  protected:
-  TemplatableValue<float> multiplier_;
+  TemplatableFn<float> multiplier_;
 };
 
 /// Non-template helper for value matching (implementation in filter.cpp)
-bool value_list_matches_any(Sensor *parent, float sensor_value, const TemplatableValue<float> *values, size_t count);
+bool value_list_matches_any(Sensor *parent, float sensor_value, const TemplatableFn<float> *values, size_t count);
 
 /** Base class for filters that compare sensor values against a fixed list of configured values.
  *
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ bool value_list_matches_any(Sensor *parent, float sensor_value, const Templatabl
  */
 template<size_t N> class ValueListFilter : public Filter {
  protected:
-  explicit ValueListFilter(std::initializer_list<TemplatableValue<float>> values) {
+  explicit ValueListFilter(std::initializer_list<TemplatableFn<float>> values) {
     init_array_from(this->values_, values);
   }
 
@@ -351,13 +351,13 @@ template<size_t N> class ValueListFilter : public Filter {
     return value_list_matches_any(this->parent_, sensor_value, this->values_.data(), N);
   }
 
-  std::array<TemplatableValue<float>, N> values_{};
+  std::array<TemplatableFn<float>, N> values_{};
 };
 
 /// A simple filter that only forwards the filter chain if it doesn't receive `value_to_filter_out`.
 template<size_t N> class FilterOutValueFilter : public ValueListFilter<N> {
  public:
-  explicit FilterOutValueFilter(std::initializer_list<TemplatableValue<float>> values_to_filter_out)
+  explicit FilterOutValueFilter(std::initializer_list<TemplatableFn<float>> values_to_filter_out)
       : ValueListFilter<N>(values_to_filter_out) {}
 
   optional<float> new_value(float value) override {
@@ -379,14 +379,14 @@ class ThrottleFilter : public Filter {
 };
 
 /// Non-template helper for ThrottleWithPriorityFilter (implementation in filter.cpp)
-optional<float> throttle_with_priority_new_value(Sensor *parent, float value, const TemplatableValue<float> *values,
+optional<float> throttle_with_priority_new_value(Sensor *parent, float value, const TemplatableFn<float> *values,
                                                  size_t count, uint32_t &last_input, uint32_t min_time_between_inputs);
 
 /// Same as 'throttle' but will immediately publish values contained in `value_to_prioritize`.
 template<size_t N> class ThrottleWithPriorityFilter : public ValueListFilter<N> {
  public:
   explicit ThrottleWithPriorityFilter(uint32_t min_time_between_inputs,
-                                      std::initializer_list<TemplatableValue<float>> prioritized_values)
+                                      std::initializer_list<TemplatableFn<float>> prioritized_values)
       : ValueListFilter<N>(prioritized_values), min_time_between_inputs_(min_time_between_inputs) {}
 
   optional<float> new_value(float value) override {
@@ -430,15 +430,15 @@ class TimeoutFilterLast : public TimeoutFilterBase {
 // Timeout filter with configured value - evaluates TemplatableValue after timeout
 class TimeoutFilterConfigured : public TimeoutFilterBase {
  public:
-  explicit TimeoutFilterConfigured(uint32_t time_period, const TemplatableValue<float> &new_value)
+  explicit TimeoutFilterConfigured(uint32_t time_period, const TemplatableFn<float> &new_value)
       : TimeoutFilterBase(time_period), value_(new_value) {}
 
   optional<float> new_value(float value) override;
 
  protected:
   float get_output_value() override { return this->value_.value(); }
-  TemplatableValue<float> value_;  // 16 bytes (configured output value, can be lambda)
-  // Total: 8 (base) + 16 = 24 bytes + vtable ptr + Component overhead
+  TemplatableFn<float> value_;  // 4 bytes (configured output value, can be lambda)
+  // Total: 8 (base) + 4 = 12 bytes + vtable ptr + Component overhead
 };
 
 class DebounceFilter : public Filter, public Component {
diff --git a/esphome/components/speaker/media_player/__init__.py b/esphome/components/speaker/media_player/__init__.py
index b16f882cba..320e96c897 100644
--- a/esphome/components/speaker/media_player/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/speaker/media_player/__init__.py
@@ -516,7 +516,8 @@ async def play_on_device_media_media_action(config, action_id, template_arg, arg
     announcement = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_ANNOUNCEMENT], args, cg.bool_)
     enqueue = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_ENQUEUE], args, cg.bool_)
 
-    cg.add(var.set_audio_file(media_file))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(media_file, args, audio.AudioFile.operator("ptr"))
+    cg.add(var.set_audio_file(template_))
     cg.add(var.set_announcement(announcement))
     cg.add(var.set_enqueue(enqueue))
     return var
diff --git a/esphome/components/speaker_source/media_player.py b/esphome/components/speaker_source/media_player.py
index 7f0f776ee5..70feeac318 100644
--- a/esphome/components/speaker_source/media_player.py
+++ b/esphome/components/speaker_source/media_player.py
@@ -312,7 +312,8 @@ async def set_playlist_delay_action_to_code(
     parent = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, parent)
 
-    cg.add(var.set_pipeline(config[CONF_PIPELINE]))
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_PIPELINE], args, cg.uint8)
+    cg.add(var.set_pipeline(template_))
 
     template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_DELAY], args, cg.uint32)
     cg.add(var.set_delay(template_))
diff --git a/esphome/components/sprinkler/__init__.py b/esphome/components/sprinkler/__init__.py
index fb2beb5b16..efa5b0bf15 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sprinkler/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/sprinkler/__init__.py
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ async def sprinkler_set_multiplier_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args
 async def sprinkler_set_queued_valve_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
-    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.uint8)
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.size_t)
     cg.add(var.set_valve_number(template_))
     template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_RUN_DURATION], args, cg.uint32)
     cg.add(var.set_valve_run_duration(template_))
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ async def sprinkler_set_valve_run_duration_to_code(
 ):
     paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
-    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.uint8)
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.size_t)
     cg.add(var.set_valve_number(template_))
     template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_RUN_DURATION], args, cg.uint32)
     cg.add(var.set_valve_run_duration(template_))
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ async def sprinkler_start_full_cycle_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, ar
 async def sprinkler_start_single_valve_to_code(config, action_id, template_arg, args):
     paren = await cg.get_variable(config[CONF_ID])
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(action_id, template_arg, paren)
-    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.uint8)
+    template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_VALVE_NUMBER], args, cg.size_t)
     cg.add(var.set_valve_to_start(template_))
     if CONF_RUN_DURATION in config:
         template_ = await cg.templatable(config[CONF_RUN_DURATION], args, cg.uint32)
diff --git a/esphome/components/sprinkler/automation.h b/esphome/components/sprinkler/automation.h
index b3f030805d..c6fe2e4e02 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sprinkler/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sprinkler/automation.h
@@ -108,7 +108,8 @@ template<typename... Ts> class StartSingleValveAction : public Action<Ts...> {
  public:
   explicit StartSingleValveAction(Sprinkler *a_sprinkler) : sprinkler_(a_sprinkler) {}
 
-  TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(size_t, valve_to_start)
+  // TemplatableValue (not TemplatableFn) — also set from C++ with raw values in sprinkler.cpp
+  template<typename V> void set_valve_to_start(V valve_to_start) { this->valve_to_start_ = valve_to_start; }
   TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(uint32_t, valve_run_duration)
 
   void play(const Ts &...x) override {
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ template<typename... Ts> class StartSingleValveAction : public Action<Ts...> {
 
  protected:
   Sprinkler *sprinkler_;
+  TemplatableValue<size_t, Ts...> valve_to_start_{};
 };
 
 template<typename... Ts> class ShutdownAction : public Action<Ts...> {
diff --git a/esphome/core/automation.h b/esphome/core/automation.h
index 05c7f19588..eb270bfee2 100644
--- a/esphome/core/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/core/automation.h
@@ -34,70 +34,236 @@ template<int... S> struct gens<0, S...> { using type = seq<S...>; };
 #endif
 // NOLINTEND(readability-identifier-naming)
 
+/// Function-pointer-only templatable storage (4 bytes on 32-bit).
+/// Used by the TEMPLATABLE_VALUE macro for codegen-managed fields.
+/// Codegen wraps constants in stateless lambdas so only a function pointer is needed.
+template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableFn {
+ public:
+  TemplatableFn() = default;
+  TemplatableFn(std::nullptr_t) = delete;
+
+  // Exact return type match — direct function pointer storage
+  template<typename F> TemplatableFn(F f) requires std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)> : f_(f) {}
+
+  // Convertible return type (e.g., int -> uint8_t) — casting trampoline.
+  // Stateless lambdas are default-constructible in C++20, so F{} recreates the lambda inside
+  // the trampoline without capturing. This compiles to the same code as a direct call + cast.
+  // Deprecated: codegen should use the correct output type to avoid the trampoline.
+  template<typename F>
+      [[deprecated("Lambda return type does not match TemplatableFn<T> — use the correct type in "
+                   "codegen")]] TemplatableFn(F) requires(!std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>) &&
+      std::invocable<F, X...> &&std::convertible_to<std::invoke_result_t<F, X...>, T> &&std::is_empty_v<F>
+          &&std::default_initializable<F> : f_([](X... x) -> T { return static_cast<T>(F{}(x...)); }) {}
+
+  // Reject any callable that didn't match the above (stateful lambdas or inconvertible return types)
+  template<typename F>
+  TemplatableFn(F) requires std::invocable<F, X...> &&
+      (!std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>) &&(!std::is_empty_v<F> ||
+                                                !std::convertible_to<std::invoke_result_t<F, X...>, T> ||
+                                                !std::default_initializable<F>) = delete;
+
+  bool has_value() const { return this->f_ != nullptr; }
+
+  T value(X... x) const { return this->f_ ? this->f_(x...) : T{}; }
+
+  optional<T> optional_value(X... x) const {
+    if (!this->f_)
+      return {};
+    return this->f_(x...);
+  }
+
+  T value_or(X... x, T default_value) const { return this->f_ ? this->f_(x...) : default_value; }
+
+ protected:
+  T (*f_)(X...){nullptr};
+};
+
+// Forward declaration for TemplatableValue (string specialization needs it)
+template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue;
+
+/// Selects TemplatableFn (4 bytes) for trivially copyable types, TemplatableValue (8 bytes) otherwise.
+/// Non-trivial types (std::string, std::vector<uint8_t>, etc.) need TemplatableValue for raw value
+/// storage, PROGMEM/FlashStringHelper support (strings), and proper copy/move/destruction.
+template<typename T, typename... X>
+using TemplatableStorage =
+    std::conditional_t<std::is_trivially_copyable_v<T>, TemplatableFn<T, X...>, TemplatableValue<T, X...>>;
+
 #define TEMPLATABLE_VALUE_(type, name) \
  protected: \
-  TemplatableValue<type, Ts...> name##_{}; \
+  TemplatableStorage<type, Ts...> name##_{}; \
 \
  public: \
   template<typename V> void set_##name(V name) { this->name##_ = name; }
 
 #define TEMPLATABLE_VALUE(type, name) TEMPLATABLE_VALUE_(type, name)
 
+/// Primary TemplatableValue: stores either a constant value or a function pointer.
+/// No std::function, no string-specific paths. 8 bytes on 32-bit.
+/// Accepts raw constants for backward compatibility with direct C++ usage.
 template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
-  // For std::string, store pointer to heap-allocated string to keep union pointer-sized.
-  // For other types, store value inline.
-  static constexpr bool USE_HEAP_STORAGE = std::same_as<T, std::string>;
+ public:
+  TemplatableValue() = default;
+  TemplatableValue(std::nullptr_t) = delete;
 
+  // Accept raw constants
+  template<typename V> TemplatableValue(V value) requires(!std::invocable<V, X...>) : tag_(VALUE) {
+    new (&this->storage_.value_) T(static_cast<T>(std::move(value)));
+  }
+
+  // Accept stateless lambdas (convertible to function pointer)
+  template<typename F> TemplatableValue(F f) requires std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)> : tag_(FN) {
+    this->storage_.f_ = f;
+  }
+
+  // Convertible return type (e.g., int -> uint8_t) — casting trampoline
+  template<typename F>
+      [[deprecated("Lambda return type does not match TemplatableValue<T> — use the correct type in "
+                   "codegen")]] TemplatableValue(F) requires(!std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>) &&
+      std::invocable<F, X...> &&std::convertible_to<std::invoke_result_t<F, X...>, T> &&std::is_empty_v<F>
+          &&std::default_initializable<F> : tag_(FN) {
+    this->storage_.f_ = [](X... x) -> T { return static_cast<T>(F{}(x...)); };
+  }
+
+  // Reject any callable that didn't match the above
+  template<typename F>
+  TemplatableValue(F) requires std::invocable<F, X...> &&
+      (!std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>) &&(!std::is_empty_v<F> ||
+                                                !std::convertible_to<std::invoke_result_t<F, X...>, T> ||
+                                                !std::default_initializable<F>) = delete;
+
+  TemplatableValue(const TemplatableValue &other) : tag_(other.tag_) {
+    if (this->tag_ == VALUE) {
+      new (&this->storage_.value_) T(other.storage_.value_);
+    } else if (this->tag_ == FN) {
+      this->storage_.f_ = other.storage_.f_;
+    }
+  }
+
+  TemplatableValue(TemplatableValue &&other) noexcept : tag_(other.tag_) {
+    if (this->tag_ == VALUE) {
+      new (&this->storage_.value_) T(std::move(other.storage_.value_));
+      other.destroy_();
+    } else if (this->tag_ == FN) {
+      this->storage_.f_ = other.storage_.f_;
+    }
+    other.tag_ = NONE;
+  }
+
+  TemplatableValue &operator=(const TemplatableValue &other) {
+    if (this != &other) {
+      this->destroy_();
+      this->tag_ = other.tag_;
+      if (this->tag_ == VALUE) {
+        new (&this->storage_.value_) T(other.storage_.value_);
+      } else if (this->tag_ == FN) {
+        this->storage_.f_ = other.storage_.f_;
+      }
+    }
+    return *this;
+  }
+
+  TemplatableValue &operator=(TemplatableValue &&other) noexcept {
+    if (this != &other) {
+      this->destroy_();
+      this->tag_ = other.tag_;
+      if (this->tag_ == VALUE) {
+        new (&this->storage_.value_) T(std::move(other.storage_.value_));
+        other.destroy_();
+      } else if (this->tag_ == FN) {
+        this->storage_.f_ = other.storage_.f_;
+      }
+      other.tag_ = NONE;
+    }
+    return *this;
+  }
+
+  ~TemplatableValue() { this->destroy_(); }
+
+  bool has_value() const { return this->tag_ != NONE; }
+
+  T value(X... x) const {
+    if (this->tag_ == FN)
+      return this->storage_.f_(x...);
+    if (this->tag_ == VALUE)
+      return this->storage_.value_;
+    return T{};
+  }
+
+  optional<T> optional_value(X... x) const {
+    if (this->tag_ == NONE)
+      return {};
+    return this->value(x...);
+  }
+
+  T value_or(X... x, T default_value) const {
+    if (this->tag_ == NONE)
+      return default_value;
+    return this->value(x...);
+  }
+
+ protected:
+  void destroy_() {
+    if constexpr (!std::is_trivially_destructible_v<T>) {
+      if (this->tag_ == VALUE)
+        this->storage_.value_.~T();
+    }
+  }
+
+  enum Tag : uint8_t { NONE, VALUE, FN } tag_{NONE};
+  // Union with explicit ctor/dtor to support non-trivially-constructible/destructible T
+  // (e.g., std::vector<uint8_t>). Lifetime of value_ is managed externally via
+  // placement new and destroy_().
+  union Storage {
+    constexpr Storage() : f_(nullptr) {}
+    constexpr ~Storage() {}
+    T value_;
+    T (*f_)(X...);
+  } storage_;
+};
+
+/// Specialization for std::string: supports VALUE, STATIC_STRING, FLASH_STRING,
+/// stateless lambdas, and stateful lambdas (std::function).
+template<typename... X> class TemplatableValue<std::string, X...> {
  public:
   TemplatableValue() : type_(NONE) {}
 
-  // For const char* when T is std::string: store pointer directly, no heap allocation
-  // String remains in flash and is only converted to std::string when value() is called
-  TemplatableValue(const char *str) requires std::same_as<T, std::string> : type_(STATIC_STRING) {
-    this->static_str_ = str;
-  }
+  // For const char*: store pointer directly, no heap allocation.
+  // String remains in flash and is only converted to std::string when value() is called.
+  TemplatableValue(const char *str) : type_(STATIC_STRING) { this->static_str_ = str; }
 
 #ifdef USE_ESP8266
   // On ESP8266, __FlashStringHelper* is a distinct type from const char*.
   // ESPHOME_F(s) expands to F(s) which returns __FlashStringHelper* pointing to PROGMEM.
-  // Store as FLASH_STRING — value()/is_empty()/ref_or_copy_to() use _P functions
-  // to access the PROGMEM pointer safely.
-  TemplatableValue(const __FlashStringHelper *str) requires std::same_as<T, std::string> : type_(FLASH_STRING) {
+  // Store as FLASH_STRING — value()/is_empty()/ref_or_copy_to() use _P functions.
+  TemplatableValue(const __FlashStringHelper *str) : type_(FLASH_STRING) {
     this->static_str_ = reinterpret_cast<const char *>(str);
   }
 #endif
 
   template<typename F> TemplatableValue(F value) requires(!std::invocable<F, X...>) : type_(VALUE) {
-    if constexpr (USE_HEAP_STORAGE) {
-      this->value_ = new T(std::move(value));
-    } else {
-      new (&this->value_) T(std::move(value));
-    }
+    this->value_ = new std::string(std::move(value));
   }
 
   // For stateless lambdas (convertible to function pointer): use function pointer
   template<typename F>
-  TemplatableValue(F f) requires std::invocable<F, X...> && std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>
+  TemplatableValue(F f) requires std::invocable<F, X...> && std::convertible_to<F, std::string (*)(X...)>
       : type_(STATELESS_LAMBDA) {
     this->stateless_f_ = f;  // Implicit conversion to function pointer
   }
 
   // For stateful lambdas (not convertible to function pointer): use std::function
   template<typename F>
-  TemplatableValue(F f) requires std::invocable<F, X...> &&(!std::convertible_to<F, T (*)(X...)>) : type_(LAMBDA) {
-    this->f_ = new std::function<T(X...)>(std::move(f));
+  TemplatableValue(F f) requires std::invocable<F, X...> &&(!std::convertible_to<F, std::string (*)(X...)>)
+      : type_(LAMBDA) {
+    this->f_ = new std::function<std::string(X...)>(std::move(f));
   }
 
   // Copy constructor
   TemplatableValue(const TemplatableValue &other) : type_(other.type_) {
     if (this->type_ == VALUE) {
-      if constexpr (USE_HEAP_STORAGE) {
-        this->value_ = new T(*other.value_);
-      } else {
-        new (&this->value_) T(other.value_);
-      }
+      this->value_ = new std::string(*other.value_);
     } else if (this->type_ == LAMBDA) {
-      this->f_ = new std::function<T(X...)>(*other.f_);
+      this->f_ = new std::function<std::string(X...)>(*other.f_);
     } else if (this->type_ == STATELESS_LAMBDA) {
       this->stateless_f_ = other.stateless_f_;
     } else if (this->type_ == STATIC_STRING || this->type_ == FLASH_STRING) {
@@ -108,12 +274,8 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
   // Move constructor
   TemplatableValue(TemplatableValue &&other) noexcept : type_(other.type_) {
     if (this->type_ == VALUE) {
-      if constexpr (USE_HEAP_STORAGE) {
-        this->value_ = other.value_;
-        other.value_ = nullptr;
-      } else {
-        new (&this->value_) T(std::move(other.value_));
-      }
+      this->value_ = other.value_;
+      other.value_ = nullptr;
     } else if (this->type_ == LAMBDA) {
       this->f_ = other.f_;
       other.f_ = nullptr;
@@ -144,11 +306,7 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
 
   ~TemplatableValue() {
     if (this->type_ == VALUE) {
-      if constexpr (USE_HEAP_STORAGE) {
-        delete this->value_;
-      } else {
-        this->value_.~T();
-      }
+      delete this->value_;
     } else if (this->type_ == LAMBDA) {
       delete this->f_;
     }
@@ -157,53 +315,40 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
 
   bool has_value() const { return this->type_ != NONE; }
 
-  T value(X... x) const {
+  std::string value(X... x) const {
     switch (this->type_) {
       case STATELESS_LAMBDA:
         return this->stateless_f_(x...);  // Direct function pointer call
       case LAMBDA:
         return (*this->f_)(x...);  // std::function call
       case VALUE:
-        if constexpr (USE_HEAP_STORAGE) {
-          return *this->value_;
-        } else {
-          return this->value_;
-        }
+        return *this->value_;
       case STATIC_STRING:
-        // if constexpr required: code must compile for all T, but STATIC_STRING
-        // can only be set when T is std::string (enforced by constructor constraint)
-        if constexpr (std::same_as<T, std::string>) {
-          return std::string(this->static_str_);
-        }
-        __builtin_unreachable();
+        return std::string(this->static_str_);
 #ifdef USE_ESP8266
-      case FLASH_STRING:
+      case FLASH_STRING: {
         // PROGMEM pointer — must use _P functions to access on ESP8266
-        if constexpr (std::same_as<T, std::string>) {
-          size_t len = strlen_P(this->static_str_);
-          std::string result(len, '\0');
-          memcpy_P(result.data(), this->static_str_, len);
-          return result;
-        }
-        __builtin_unreachable();
+        size_t len = strlen_P(this->static_str_);
+        std::string result(len, '\0');
+        memcpy_P(result.data(), this->static_str_, len);
+        return result;
+      }
 #endif
       case NONE:
       default:
-        return T{};
+        return {};
     }
   }
 
-  optional<T> optional_value(X... x) {
-    if (!this->has_value()) {
+  optional<std::string> optional_value(X... x) const {
+    if (!this->has_value())
       return {};
-    }
     return this->value(x...);
   }
 
-  T value_or(X... x, T default_value) {
-    if (!this->has_value()) {
+  std::string value_or(X... x, std::string default_value) const {
+    if (!this->has_value())
       return default_value;
-    }
     return this->value(x...);
   }
 
@@ -216,10 +361,10 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
   /// The pointer is always directly readable — FLASH_STRING uses a separate type.
   const char *get_static_string() const { return this->static_str_; }
 
-  /// Check if the string value is empty without allocating (for std::string specialization).
+  /// Check if the string value is empty without allocating.
   /// For NONE, returns true. For STATIC_STRING/VALUE, checks without allocation.
   /// For LAMBDA/STATELESS_LAMBDA, must call value() which may allocate.
-  bool is_empty() const requires std::same_as<T, std::string> {
+  bool is_empty() const {
     switch (this->type_) {
       case NONE:
         return true;
@@ -245,7 +390,7 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
   /// @param lambda_buf Buffer used only for copy cases (must remain valid while StringRef is used).
   /// @param lambda_buf_size Size of the buffer.
   /// @return StringRef pointing to the string data.
-  StringRef ref_or_copy_to(char *lambda_buf, size_t lambda_buf_size) const requires std::same_as<T, std::string> {
+  StringRef ref_or_copy_to(char *lambda_buf, size_t lambda_buf_size) const {
     switch (this->type_) {
       case NONE:
         return StringRef();
@@ -278,22 +423,20 @@ template<typename T, typename... X> class TemplatableValue {
     }
   }
 
- protected : enum : uint8_t {
-   NONE,
-   VALUE,
-   LAMBDA,
-   STATELESS_LAMBDA,
-   STATIC_STRING,  // For const char* when T is std::string - avoids heap allocation
-   FLASH_STRING,   // PROGMEM pointer on ESP8266; never set on other platforms
- } type_;
-  // For std::string, use heap pointer to minimize union size (4 bytes vs 12+).
-  // For other types, store value inline as before.
-  using ValueStorage = std::conditional_t<USE_HEAP_STORAGE, T *, T>;
+ protected:
+  enum : uint8_t {
+    NONE,
+    VALUE,
+    LAMBDA,
+    STATELESS_LAMBDA,
+    STATIC_STRING,  // For const char* — avoids heap allocation
+    FLASH_STRING,   // PROGMEM pointer on ESP8266; never set on other platforms
+  } type_;
   union {
-    ValueStorage value_;  // T for inline storage, T* for heap storage
-    std::function<T(X...)> *f_;
-    T (*stateless_f_)(X...);
-    const char *static_str_;  // For STATIC_STRING and FLASH_STRING types
+    std::string *value_;                   // Heap-allocated string (VALUE)
+    std::function<std::string(X...)> *f_;  // Heap-allocated std::function (LAMBDA)
+    std::string (*stateless_f_)(X...);     // Function pointer (STATELESS_LAMBDA)
+    const char *static_str_;               // For STATIC_STRING and FLASH_STRING types
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/esphome/cpp_generator.py b/esphome/cpp_generator.py
index a8efe96cce..cf90b878e1 100644
--- a/esphome/cpp_generator.py
+++ b/esphome/cpp_generator.py
@@ -819,11 +819,17 @@ async def templatable(
     args: list[tuple[SafeExpType, str]],
     output_type: SafeExpType | None,
     to_exp: Callable | dict = None,
+    *,
+    wrap_constant: bool = False,
 ):
     """Generate code for a templatable config option.
 
     If `value` is a templated value, the lambda expression is returned.
-    Otherwise the value is returned as-is (optionally process with to_exp).
+    For std::string output, constants are returned as-is (with PROGMEM wrapping),
+    using the std::string-specific TemplatableValue specialization.
+    For all other output types, constants are wrapped in stateless lambdas
+    so that TemplatableFn-backed macro-generated fields can store them as
+    function pointers.
 
     :param value: The value to process.
     :param args: The arguments for the lambda expression.
@@ -833,20 +839,28 @@ async def templatable(
     """
     if is_template(value):
         return await process_lambda(value, args, return_type=output_type)
-    if to_exp is None:
+    # Late import to avoid circular dependency (cpp_generator <-> cpp_types).
+    from esphome.cpp_types import std_string
+
+    if to_exp is not None:
+        value = to_exp[value] if isinstance(to_exp, dict) else to_exp(value)
+    elif (
+        isinstance(value, str) and output_type is not None and output_type is std_string
+    ):
         # Automatically wrap static strings in ESPHOME_F() for PROGMEM storage on ESP8266.
         # On other platforms ESPHOME_F() is a no-op returning const char*.
-        # Lazy import to avoid circular dependency (cpp_generator <-> cpp_types).
-        # Identity check (is) avoids brittle string comparison.
-        if isinstance(value, str) and output_type is not None:
-            from esphome.cpp_types import std_string
-
-            if output_type is std_string:
-                return FlashStringLiteral(value)
-        return value
-    if isinstance(to_exp, dict):
-        return to_exp[value]
-    return to_exp(value)
+        return FlashStringLiteral(value)
+    # Wrap non-string constants in stateless lambdas so that TemplatableFn
+    # (used by TEMPLATABLE_VALUE macro) stores them as function pointers.
+    # wrap_constant=True forces wrapping even with output_type=None (compiler deduces type).
+    if (output_type is not None or wrap_constant) and output_type is not std_string:
+        return LambdaExpression(
+            f"return {safe_exp(value)};",
+            args,
+            capture="",
+            return_type=output_type,
+        )
+    return value
 
 
 class MockObj(Expression):
diff --git a/tests/benchmarks/components/sensor/bench_sensor_filter.cpp b/tests/benchmarks/components/sensor/bench_sensor_filter.cpp
index e4aa397690..e6dc783567 100644
--- a/tests/benchmarks/components/sensor/bench_sensor_filter.cpp
+++ b/tests/benchmarks/components/sensor/bench_sensor_filter.cpp
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ static void SensorFilter_Chain3(benchmark::State &state) {
   Sensor sensor;
 
   sensor.add_filters({
-      new OffsetFilter(1.0f),
-      new MultiplyFilter(2.0f),
+      new OffsetFilter([]() -> float { return 1.0f; }),
+      new MultiplyFilter([]() -> float { return 2.0f; }),
       new SlidingWindowMovingAverageFilter(5, 1, 1),
   });
 
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_cpp_generator.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_cpp_generator.py
index bdc31cdef8..81ae586e23 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_cpp_generator.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_cpp_generator.py
@@ -669,11 +669,11 @@ async def test_templatable__int_with_std_string() -> None:
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_templatable__string_with_non_string_output_type() -> None:
-    """Static string with non-std::string output_type returns raw string."""
+    """Static string with non-std::string output_type returns stateless lambda."""
     result = await cg.templatable("hello", [], ct.bool_)
 
-    assert isinstance(result, str)
-    assert result == "hello"
+    assert isinstance(result, cg.LambdaExpression)
+    assert result.capture == ""
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -684,6 +684,15 @@ async def test_templatable__with_to_exp_callable() -> None:
     assert result == 84
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_templatable__with_to_exp_callable_and_output_type() -> None:
+    """When to_exp is provided with non-string output_type, result is lambda-wrapped."""
+    result = await cg.templatable(42, [], ct.int_, to_exp=lambda x: x * 2)
+
+    assert isinstance(result, cg.LambdaExpression)
+    assert result.capture == ""
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_templatable__with_to_exp_dict() -> None:
     """When to_exp is a dict, value is looked up."""