Vegan Fried Chicken

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❤️ Why you’ll love it

I absolutely love how the oyster mushrooms in this recipe mimic the texture of chicken. Their spongy and chewy texture, combined with the simple breading, gives you a result that is just as satisfying as traditional fried chicken.

Plus, it does not have a mushroom flavor at all! You would be surprised how close to real chicken it tastes and feels like. This recipe uses crushed cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs for the crunchiest coating.

The best part is that it is quick and easy to make, unlike other vegan chicken recipes using seitan that take 8-9 hours to make. This is the tastiest vegan fried chicken I have ever made.

🧾 Key ingredients

This vegan fried chicken recipe is a delicious, plant-based take on a classic dish. The best part is that you can easily find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.

Oyster mushrooms are the star of this dish. I have used pearl oyster mushrooms for this recipe, but you can use any type of oyster mushroom. They have a meaty texture that is surprisingly similar to that of chicken.

Fried chicken seasoning is key to giving these mushrooms a delicious, meaty flavor. It is a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, sweet smoked paprika powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin seeds, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Corn flakes are a surprising but essential ingredient for the breading. When crushed, they provide a delicious crunch that is similar to traditional fried chicken and is so much better than regular breadcrumbs. You can also use other breadcrumb substitutes if you would like.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

To make this vegan fried chicken recipe, the most crucial piece of equipment you will need is a deep-frying pan with a strainer basket. This will make the frying process much easier and safer.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
Start by preparing the oyster mushrooms by separating them from the cluster. Use a wet paper towel or kitchen cloth to clean them if you find anything. Remember not to peel them, just cut off the end of the stem if it does not look good.

STEP 2
Next, prepare the spices for the vegan fried chicken seasoning. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, sweet smoked paprika powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin seeds, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

STEP 3
Now, it is time to make the breading for the vegan fried chicken. Using a small chopping bowl or an immersion blender, crush the cornflakes to a fine, breadcrumb-like texture.

STEP 4
In a large bowl, add 1 tsp of the fried chicken seasoning, the crushed corn flakes, and the corn starch. This will be the dry batter for the vegan fried chicken.

STEP 5
In another large bowl, make the wet batter by combining dairy-free milk, yellow corn flour, and 2 tsp of fried chicken seasoning. Mix it well until it has a pancake batter texture.

Making the vegan fried chicken

STEP 1
Take a piece of oyster mushroom and dip it into the wet batter, making sure it is evenly coated.

STEP 2
Transfer the mushroom to the bowl with the dry batter. Sprinkle the dry batter on top of the mushroom and pat it gently to ensure the coating sticks evenly.

STEP 3
Heat sunflower oil in a pot on medium-high heat. Gently drop the breaded oyster mushrooms into the hot oil. Be careful not to overcrow the pot.

STEP 4
Fry the mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, or until the coating is crispy. Once ready, transfer them to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

💡 Expert tip

The key to perfecting vegan fried chicken using oyster mushrooms is to avoid overcrowding the pan during the frying process. If you add too many bread mushrooms at once, the oil temperature will drop, and the mushrooms will not cook properly, becoming soggy and oily. It is best to fry them in small batches, ensuring that the oil stays hot, and the mushrooms become deliciously crispy.

🔄 Variations

Try a different type of mushroom for a variety of textures. If you prefer a meatier texture, consider using king oyster mushrooms instead of pearl oyster mushrooms. This will give your vegan fried chicken a heartier bite and a different texture, adding more variety to your meal. Other substitutes like lions mane mushroom will be very similar.

Experiment with different spices to customize the flavor. This recipe is very versatile when it comes to seasoning. Cajun spices or your favorite spice mix can be easily used in this recipe.

🥣 Serving ideas

Vegan fried chicken is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. If you plan to serve it as an appetizer or a snack, it pairs beautifully with a range of vegan dips and condiments.

Consider setting out a selection of your favorite vegan sauces, such as vegan barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or jalapeno cilantro. It is also great with my vegan tzatziki sauce.

In addition, you can serve it as a main course with a variety of delicious sides. Classic potato dishes like fries, vegan mashed potatoes, vegan scalloped potatoes, or baked potato wedges are all excellent choices.

❄️ Storing tips

Storing and reheating vegan fried chicken is a simple and effective way to make sure you can enjoy this delicious dish for days to come.

To store your leftovers, allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh and crispy for up to 3-4 days.

You can store it in a freezer as well, but the breading will lose its texture.

To get it back, you need to reheat them in the oven, deep-fry, or pan-fry them.

🤔 FAQs

More vegan chicken recipes

You can find all our delicious oyster mushroom recipes to give you more ideas to enjoy this awesome ingredient. Here are some of our favorite vegan chicken recipes:

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