Crispy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe: Tasty and Guilt-Free
Looking for the ultimate vegan fried chicken recipe that delivers a crispy, flavorful crunch with each bite? Look no further! As an articulate assistant for a vegan chef, I am excited to share with you our super easy vegan fried chicken recipe. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking to reduce your meat consumption, this recipe is perfect for those who crave the taste and texture of fried chicken without compromising their values.
This dish is not only made without any animal products, but it is also packed with meaty flavor and texture that will leave your taste buds satisfied. With a combination of seitan battered oyster mushrooms, yellow mustard, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and unbleached white flour we have created a vegan fried chicken that you will love.
Whether you’re cooking up a southern feast for friends and family or indulging in some comfort food on your own, this dish promises to be a hit. So why not try it out for yourself? Let’s dive in and discover the magic that’s possible with this amazing recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of vegan foods that lack flavor and texture? Look no further than this Super Easy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe!
What sets this recipe apart is its meaty flavor packed into vegan seitan battered and fried to crispy perfection. Unlike other vegan chicken recipes that use tofu or vegetables, this recipe utilizes oyster mushrooms for an incredibly authentic taste and chewy texture.
But that’s not all – this recipe is also incredibly versatile, with substitutions and variations to fit your dietary needs and preferences. Plus, it’s super easy to make, with simple instructions that anyone can follow.
You won’t even miss traditional fried chicken once you take a bite of this delectable dish made completely without animal products. So why settle for bland vegan options when you can indulge in the best vegan fried chicken out there?
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to create this super easy vegan fried chicken recipe:
For the Seitan Chicken:
- 1 1/2 cups Vital Wheat Gluten
- 2 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
For the Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups Unbleached White Flour
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Additional Ingredients:
- Oyster mushrooms (enough to make about three cups)
- Yellow Mustard (used as a binder for the seitan)
- Tofu skin (used for extra crunch, but is optional)
- Vegetable Broth (used to make the vegan “chicken” broth)
All of these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store or online. Some may seem unfamiliar, but don’t let that deter you from trying this recipe out! Trust me, it will be worth it.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s start cooking! This Super Easy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe will only take you about 45 minutes to make.
The Steps:
Step 1: Prep the Vegetables
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F. Then chop 1 cup of oyster mushrooms finely and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Seitan Chicken
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of unbleached white flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 and ½ tablespoons of nutritional yeast, 1 and ½ teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Then, in another bowl, combine 1 and ½ cups of water and 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
Add the chopped oyster mushrooms to the batter and mix well. Then gently fold in crumbled firm tofu (preferably frozen), soaked tofu skin (cut into strips) or vital wheat gluten to achieve a meaty texture with chicken-like strings. The mixture should now resemble a sticky dough.
Next, shape the dough into chicken pieces. You can make them into shapes such as nuggets, tenders or drumsticks.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Preheat your frying pan on high heat with enough vegetable oil to cover at least half an inch deep. Once the oil is heated (350°F), add in your chicken pieces one by one with tongs. Be careful not to overcrowd your pan as this will cool down your oil quickly and affect your frying results.
Fry each side for around 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Then transfer them onto a cooling rack sitting on top of a baking sheet to prevent the bottom from getting soggy. Keep them warm in an oven preheated to 200°F while you fry more batches if necessary.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
When ready to serve, garnish with fresh herbs or sliced lemon wedges for extra freshness. This southern vegan fried chicken made seitan battered should be crispy perfection on the outside while having a juicy and meaty flavor packed inside. It’s hard to believe that it’s possible to make vegan fried chicken taste this good! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy this dish made with love.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this vegan fried chicken recipe is that it’s highly customizable, so you can experiment and make it your own. Here are some substitutions and variations to consider:
– Substitute the seitan chicken for firm tofu: If you don’t have seitan or just prefer tofu, you can use pressed firm tofu instead. Slice it into small pieces like chicken tenders and coat them in the batter as usual.
– Make gluten-free fried chicken with tofu skin: For those who are gluten intolerant, using tofu skin is a fantastic gluten-free alternative to seitan. Simply cut them into smaller pieces and marinate in vegetable broth before following the rest of the recipe.
– Use other mushrooms as a substitute for oyster mushrooms: Oyster mushrooms provide the closest texture to real chicken meat when fried, but if you can’t find them, try portobello or cremini mushrooms instead.
– Adjust the seasoning to taste: Although this recipe comes seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt, feel free to adjust these ingredients to suit your palate. Add more or less according to your preference.
– Experiment with dipping sauces: While vegan chicken already has a meaty flavor packed within it, consider dipping it in some great sauces that will bring out flavors even more! Try barbeque sauce or vegan ranch dressing to go along with them.
By being creative with this recipe, you can add your own twist and create your personal version of this already fantastic vegan fried chicken dish.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing this amazing vegan fried chicken recipe, you have a lot of options to choose from. You can make it the centrepiece of a big meal or use it as a side dish with some other vegan delights.
One option is to serve it up classic southern-style with some mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and maybe even some collard greens. The crunchy texture and meaty flavor packed into each bite will be perfectly complemented by these savory sides.
If you’re looking for something lighter, try serving alongside some fresh veggies like a colorful salad or roasted vegetables drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette. This will help balance out the deep-fried taste with refreshing notes.
Another option is to pair our vegan fried chicken with some spicy dipping sauces like sriracha mayo or honey mustard sauce that add an extra zing to the dish. It’s also great in between two buns to make your own vegan “Big Mac”.
You can even get creative and make a fusion dish by putting our vegan fried chicken in a traditional Asian fried rice recipe for an incredible sweet and savory dish with a crispy crunch.
Whether you are serving for lunch, dinner or just as munchies during game day, this southern vegan fried chicken recipe is sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings. Enjoy!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the things I love about this Super Easy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and stored for later use. This means that you can have a nourishing meal ready in minutes when you’re short on time.
To make ahead, simply prepare the recipe as directed up to the point of frying. Once your chicken is coated with batter, instead of frying, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. When you are ready to serve, simply fry the chicken and enjoy!
If you have any leftover fried chicken, don’t worry – this dish stores well in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. To reheat, place on a baking sheet and warm up in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can heat some oil in a pan and fry the leftover chicken again for a few minutes until crispy.
It’s important to note that reheating vegan fried chicken can cause it to lose some of its crispiness, so I recommend using an air fryer if you have one. An air fryer will reheat the chicken quickly while keeping it nice and crispy.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or simply trying to get dinner on the table fast, this Super Easy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe will save your day!
Tips for Perfect Results
Achieving crispy and delicious vegan fried chicken may sound like a big challenge, but with some helpful tips, you can easily make a perfect dish. As an assistant to a vegan chef, I have gathered some of the best suggestions that will take your vegan fried chicken to the next level.
1. Use Firm Tofu or Seitan Chicken
Firm tofu or seitan chicken made from wheat gluten are the perfect substitutes for real chicken in this recipe. They have the same meaty texture and absorb flavor perfectly, making them ideal for vegan fried chicken.
2. Don’t Skimp on the Batter
The seitan battered with flour, nutritional yeast, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper is what makes this dish taste so good. Make sure to coat each piece thoroughly to get that perfect crispy texture.
3. Add Oyster Mushrooms
For an extra meaty flavor and texture, add oyster mushrooms to your batter mixture. These mushrooms have a chewy texture that perfectly complements the crunchiness of the fried seitan.
4. Fry at The Right Temperature
Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying. Heating it to about 375°F will ensure that your vegan fried chicken cooks evenly without absorbing excess oil.
5. Serve Immediately
Vegan fried chicken is best served hot and crispy, right out of the frying pan. The longer it sits after cooking, the soggier and less flavorful it becomes. So serve immediately for a deliciously satisfying meal.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a meat-free version of classic Southern-style fried chicken that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
FAQ
As you get ready to try out this delicious vegan fried chicken recipe, you may have some questions on how to make it perfectly or how to tweak it to suit your taste. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about making this dish, along with helpful answers that will guide you in creating the best vegan chicken made seitan battered and fried to crispy perfection.
What is vegan fried chicken made of?
This recipe features a savory and flavorful vegan alternative to chicken, made with seitan. The ‘chicken’ is coated in a crispy batter and fried to achieve the perfect crunch.
What can you use to fry chicken without eggs?
When it comes to coating chicken, it’s best to avoid using a pressure cooker and opt for oven baking or air frying instead. If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to eggs, don’t fret! There are plenty of options to help your bread crumbs stick. Melted butter, heavy cream, and plain yogurt can all work wonders as a coating agent.
What are the ingredients in KFC Beyond Chicken?
The main ingredients of this recipe include water, protein extracted from faba beans, and breading made from a mix of wheat flour, rice flour, and other seasonings. Additional components include salt, corn starch, pea protein, canola oil, wheat gluten, paprika, spices, sugar, and natural flavors among others. This delectable combination of ingredients is perfect for creating a vegan-friendly dish that is both nutritious and flavorful.
What is the vegan KFC alternative?
Looking for a plant-based fast food option at KFC? They offer a unique Quorn™ fillet that’s covered in their famous Original Recipe coating. The fillet is accompanied by iceberg lettuce and vegan mayo inside a delicious glazed bun.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this super easy vegan fried chicken recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves the flavor and texture of traditional Southern-style fried chicken but wants to avoid meat. The combination of seitan-battered oyster mushrooms and tofu skin results in a meaty flavor packed into a vegan dish.
Whether you choose to fry your chicken to crispy perfection or use an air fryer for a healthier option, this dish is guaranteed to become a new favorite. Plus, with the added benefits of nutritional yeast and vegetable broth, you can enjoy a flavorful and healthy meal at home.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with substitutions and variations to make this recipe fit your preferences. With options like gluten-free flour and different types of mushrooms or tofu, the possibilities are endless.
So next time you’re craving some fried chicken without the meat, give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy your big mac or KFC chicken fix in a healthier way with this best-ever vegan fried chicken recipe!
Super Easy Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups unbleached white flour
- 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 lb vegan chicken (try Morningstar Farms' Chik'n Strips)
- 3 1/2 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- * Mix together the sale, onion powder, pepper, garlic powder, flour, and nutritional yeast in a deep bowl. In a seperate bowl, dilute your favorite mustard with the water. Add 1/3 cup of the flour mixture and stir. Combine the baking powder with the remaining flour mixture.
- * Dip chunks of the chicken into the mustard batter, then drop them into the flour mixture coat with the desired amount of "crust." Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (or use a deep fryer) and fry until crust is crispy and golden brown, turning as needed.
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.