Popcorn chicken is a kind of niche food – it’s not as popular as chicken nuggets or chicken tenders, but this popular snack has something that also works as a meal. The vegan chicken game is popping up in supermarkets – from a variety of plant-based nuggets to frozen grilled chicken strips – but popcorn chicken is just beginning to hit the mass market. While we wait for the barrage of options, here are seven vegan popcorn chicken recipes that you can make at home.
Francesca Bonadonna
1. Easy, crispy vegan popcorn chicken by Francesca Bonadonna
Don’t settle for firm tofu when shopping for ingredients – extra firmness is key to getting that juicy, meaty bite. This recipe is as authentic as possible. So be ready to deep fry! The result is sixty golden pieces of seasoned, baked and fried tofus that disappear in a flash.
Get the recipe here.
The edgy vegetables
2. KFC Popcorn ‘Chicken’ by The Edgy Veg
After making this recipe, the deep fryer will have a permanent place on your kitchen counter. Better than bouillon No chicken cubes (which are vegan) penetrate tough soy curls with an authentic chicken taste and add flavor to every single component. The curls are dipped in a flavored batter, dripped in bubbly oil, and then placed on a refrigerated shelf for a crispy exterior. Let it cool just long enough not to burn your mouth (it’s hard, we know).
Get the recipe here.
The Viet Vegan
3. Vegan popcorn chicken by The Viet Vegan
Turn up the tunes and have fun with this recipe – step five involves a little shake-and-bake! Technically, the breaded soy pieces are fried, but you might as well have fun shaking the Ziploc bag to coat each textured nugget. Don’t skip the jump either. This dill-infused vegan sour cream couldn’t be easier to make, and can rival any dipping sauce you might find on a drive-through – including a controversial chicken chain that is closed on Sundays.
Get the recipe here.
Dad is going vegan
4th Vegan popcorn chicken from Dad Goes Vegan
When it comes to kid-friendly finger foods, fathers definitely know best. This solid recipe relies on high protein tofu and a simple vegan buttermilk dredger to create a fast food taste with vegan ingredients. The instructions contain cooking methods for shallow roasts and air fryers so that anyone can adopt them regardless of the situation of their kitchen appliances.
Get the recipe here.
In Jorge
5. Vegan Taiwanese Popcorn Cauliflower by Chez Jorge
Cauliflower flowers work wonders when they mimic buffalo-style chicken – it’s no surprise they translate wonderfully into popcorn chicken too. Social media star George Lee gives this American classic a Taiwanese twist by adding fried basil, Sichuan pepper, and five ground spice to the mix. These simple trimmings will transform your ordinary fried cauliflower from bland to fat.
Get the recipe here.
Vega
6th Cauliflower Popcorn Chicken by Morgan Shupe
Can’t you take the spice Return to this tried and tested baked and breaded cauliflower popcorn chicken recipe. While deep-frying typically provides the crunch you need, carbonated water and coarsely ground corn flakes mimic this satisfactory texture with no excess oil. Enjoy these healthy bites alone or on a deeply filling salad with vegan ranch.
Get the recipe here.
Six vegan sisters
7th Seitan Fried Chick’n from six vegan sisters
Seitan’s dense and chewy texture goes perfectly with veganized popcorn chicken. While store-bought seitan is available at most supermarkets, it is best to make your own using this recipe to get the right chicken flavor. If you have the time, try to find a chicken-flavored seitan in the store (ex. Uptons Naturals Chick Seitan). Once you have your base, the process is as simple as seasoning, dredging, and frying until golden brown. “Addictive” doesn’t even explain the appeal of this deliciously hearty snack.
Get the recipe here.
Asked Flink is a digital editor for VegNews, and is a writer and runner based in Orange County, CA.
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