The Best Vegan Fried Chick'un Ever

The Best Vegan Fried Chick'un Ever

Many people going vegan probably think they have to give up everything. "What do you even eat?" is the top question vegans get asked on the daily basis, many think we live on salad and grass clippings. And as amazing as that sounds, grass gets so boring. On the contrary, it's an amazing time to be vegan! I can't even describe how great it is to have so many options, the selection is so vast and the different kinds of things you get get is insane...I mean do you want vegan eel? Uh, yeah you can get it..I don't want it, but hey I can get it. I became vegan almost 13 years ago and let me tell you, we had nothing. Vegan Mayo: 1 and it was terrible (not naming names), 1 brand of cheese (not very exciting and definitely didn't melt), only a couple vegan meat substitute brands (mostly egg in one of them) and you can't live off burgers and tofurky everyday. I think you get where I'm going with this. We're extremely lucky and I think it's great that my kids will never want for anything, they'll always have so much in the way of options. *Insert Happy Dance Here*

So onto the recipe! Yes, I know ...Fried Chicken? You can't even think of replacing that, it's never going to be as good. I beg to differ. This recipe shows you not only how to successfully make THE BEST Vegan Fried Chick'un EVER, but how to blow naysaying friends and families minds. You could bring this to any pot-luck or picnic and guarantee that they will enjoy every crunchy-bunchy-oh-so-good bite. This Vegan Fried Chick'un pairs great with homemade French Fries (recipe below), as well as a fresh garden salad...because yes we still eat salad okay, we just pair it with amazing vegan things like this! Drop the mic on people vegans, BOOM! ✋🏻🎤💥

The Best Vegan Fried Chick'un Ever

Yields: Enough for a Vegan Army

(Recipe can be halved or quarter for convenience)

Ingredients

-25 vegan drumsticks (MayWah) + I also did 4 cups Beyond Meat Chicken Strips (optional) -See Note-

-Vegan Buttermilk (4 1/4 cups milk Unsweetened Ripple or your favorite Vegan Milk + 4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar)

-5 cups All-purpose flour
-1 tablespoons Seasoned Salt

-1 Tablespoon Celery Salt

-1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt 

-2 teaspoons Granulated Garlic 
-2 teaspoons Onion Powder
-2 teaspoons Black Pepper
-2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
-2 teaspoons Paprika
-1 teaspoon Cayenne 
-Vegetable, soybean, or peanut oil for frying

Homemade Vegan French Fries RECIPE -(Shown in Picture)- 

Note: This recipe works great with most vegan proteins. If you don't have access to the vegan drumsticks, you could also use gardein cutlets, strips, all beyond meat strips, seitan pieces, etc. I haven't tried Tofu or Tempeh for yet, but I think the tempeh would work great also. Feel free to experiment and try.

Product

Vegan Drumsticks...Yes 100% VEGAN

 

Directions

In a large bowl (or 2 freezer bags) add the vegan chicken with the buttermilk (except 1/4 cup). Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. When ready to fry, remove chicken from bowl and let sit on counter for 30 minutes to take chill off.

Stir together the flour, all the different salts, pepper, thyme, garlic paprika and cayenne in a very large bowl. At this point, use your remaining 1/4 cup vegan buttermilk. Gradually pour the vegan milk mixture into the flour and use a fork to mix until little lumps throughout. Once your vegan chicken is ready, your messy job beginnings. 

Working in batches, thoroughly coat each buttermilk-soaked vegan chicken piece with the breading, pressing to adhere the breading. 

 

Beyond Meat Strips 

Set them aside on a baking sheet and allow them to rest for 20-30 minute, even better if you can chill them in the fridge, the breading is best when it has time to sit. 

*If you want to make this quicker, you can fry right away.

 

Heat 2-3 inches (enough to cover the vegan chicken) of oil in a deep skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat to 365F.  Add the vegan chicken to the oil 3-4 pieces at a time. Turning the pieces once and a while to evenly brown it all over, takes about 5-7 minutes per batch. Monitor temperature of oil to make sure chicken doesn't burn and oil doesn't drop below 350F. 

 

When the vegan fried chicken pieces come out of the hot oil, place them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or brown paper bags, immediate sprinkle each batch with a little salt.

 

 

If you want to ensure the Vegan Fried Chicken stays warm for serving, place it in a warm oven (200F) to keep warm and continue frying rest of chicken. Once you are done frying all the batches, you are ready to enjoy. I generally pair this with Homemade French Fries and a fresh garden salad...you know, to make me feel better about myself. Everything in moderation right! This chicken also makes for a wonderful breakfast as Vegan Chicken & Waffles, chopped up in salads, great  for pot-lucks and picnics. There's not many ways you can go wrong enjoying this. 

*Toss the chicken in your favorite BBQ or Buffalo sauce for smothered fried chicken. 

 

Tip

I make this vegan fried chicken in bulk and store the majority in the freezer for later use. If you want to reheat it after it's been frozen, place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 350 Degrees for 30 minutes. It comes out perfect every time. If you're in a bigger hurry, each drumstick can be reheated in the microwave for 2 mins & beyond meat strips at 1 minute (it stays crisp and yummy surprisingly). 

Enjoy!

-Amy