These Vegan Chicken Nuggets will be your best friend. These nuggets are packed with flavor and made from simple ingredients. They are also naturally high in protein. These will be loved by the whole family.
Brian Patton deserves a huge shout-out. His vegan fried chicken recipe is legendary and will remain so. We were inspired to create this recipe for vegan chicken nuggets. We were inspired by him to create the best homemade vegan chicken nuggets we've ever made.
While there are times and places for healthier alternatives such as tofu nuggets and chickpea nuggets made from plant-based ingredients, sometimes you just want something that tastes exactly like the chicken nuggets your family grew up eating. These nuggets deliver both in flavor and texture.
These are the real deal, we promise. They were served to non-vegetarians. They passed the taste test! They disappeared in a flash and we received compliments from all corners. These are definitely a winner, we can assure you. Let's get cookin'!
The Key Ingredients That You Will Need
White beansAdds texture to the bean and plant-based protein. You can use any white beans, so choose your favorite or what you have.
Broth We prefer vegan chicken broth, but vegetable broth is also good.
Onion and garlic: These aromatics give the broth a flavor that makes the nuggets taste better. You can substitute these ingredients with onion powder or garlic powder if you are in a hurry, but it is better to use fresh whenever possible.
Vital wheat Gluten: The star of the show! Vital wheat gluten is responsible to creating the most meaty-like chicken consistency.
Vegan buttermilk This is made with unsweetened vegetable milk (preferably soy or almond milk) along with a splash vinegar. This simple combination is familiar to anyone who has tried our vegan buttermilk pancakes and our vegan KFC Fried Chicken.
Breadcrumbs + flour: This is the base of these chicken nuggets' breading. We did not test this recipe with a gluten-free flour because these nuggets contain vital wheat gluten. For the best crispy exterior, we recommend panko breadcrumbs and classic all-purpose flour.
Spices You'll need nutritional yeast and garlic powder. These spices can be used in the seitan mixture as well as the breading.
Oil for frying: We used canola oil due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point. Other options include vegetable oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil.
Equipment required
Mixing bowls
Fork or potato masher
Pots large
Wooden spatula or spoon
Strainer or slotted spoon
A wire cooling rack or a paper towel-lined plate
How to make vegan chicken nuggets
Mix the beans, broth and water together. Mix the white beans in a large bowl until they are well-mashed, but not completely smooth. Mix in 1/2 cup vegan chicken broth, 1 cup water, and dijon mustard. Mix well and set aside.
Boil the broth, onion, garlic and bay leaf. Add the 7 cups of vegan broth, the onion, garlic cloves and bay leaf to a large saucepan. Bring to boil.
Mix the seitan. Once the broth mixture has boiled, add the vital wheat gluten and nutritional yeast. Add the chickpea flour and spices. Mix until smooth, then add the white beans mixture. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients until you get a dough-like consistency. You can now use your hands to knead and stretch the dough with your hands.
Divide the seitan into 40 equal pieces. Divide the seitan into 40 pieces. Flatten each piece until they measure 2 by 1.5 inches and 1/2 inches respectively.
Boil the broth and simmer the nuggets. Mix the broth with the nuggets and stir in the garlic and onions. Reduce the heat to low and let the vegan chicken nuggets simmer for 45 minutes. Mix frequently to ensure that the top pieces don't dry out.
Make the breading ingredients. Combine the vinegar and unsweetened almondmilk in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Allow the milk to curdle for 15 minutes. Mix together the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Add the spices.
Strain the vegan chicken nuggets. After 45 minutes, drain the seitan. Discard the bay leaf, onion, garlic, as well as the bay leaf. Let the seitan cool down until it is easy to handle.
Heat the frying oil. In a large pot, add canola oil. Heat oil on medium heat until it reaches 350F. A pinch of flour can be added to the oil and it will instantly foam.
Make the nuggets. Dip the nuggets in the vegan buttermilk one at a time. Then, shake off any excess and coat them with the breading. Then, dip it again in the buttermilk. Next, add a second layer of breading. Continue this process until all the chicken nuggets have been battered.
Deep fry. You can add as many chicken nuggets to the pot as you like, but not too many. Flip halfway through.
Allow to cool. To drain the oil from the nuggets, use a strainer. Continue this process until all the nuggets have been fried.
Serve. Salt the vegan nuggets and enjoy!
Cooking variations
Pan-frying option:Place vegan chicken nuggets on a single layer in an oil-sprayed skillet. Cook each side for about 4 minutes. Most likely, you will need to work in batches.
These chicken nuggets are also oven-baked. Bake the nuggets for about 15 to 20 minutes at 400F or until golden brown. Spray the nuggets with some cooking spray to make them extra crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Vegan chicken nuggets are better than regular chicken nuggets. They can be paired with any favorite sauce. These nuggets can be served as a lunch or dinner option, or as a snack with vegan ranch dressing, Vegan Ranch Dressing or Vegan Tartar Sauce.
These nuggets are also great with our Kid-Friendly BakedVegetable Tots
Storage Instructions
These nuggets can be kept in the fridge for up to five days, or frozen for up to three months. Allow the vegetable nuggets cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container.
Refrozen leftovers are best reheated in the oven at 400F for approximately 10 minutes, or in the air fryer (400F) for approximately 5 minutes or until crisp.
You may need to bake for an additional 5 minutes if you are reheating frozen nuggets.
Here are more delicious seitan recipes:
Vegan Holiday Roast – A convincingly meaty and deliciously fall-flavored roast.
Homemade Vegan Deli meat - Skip the Tofurky!
Vegan Cuban Sandwiches: A hearty, delicious sandwich that can rival the classic.
Let us know what you think about this recipe by commenting below. + You can share photos or a snap on Instagram with @sweetsimplevegan. We love to see your variations of our recipes!
These Vegan Chicken Nuggets will be your best friend. These nuggets are packed with flavor and made from simple ingredients. They are also naturally high in protein. These will be loved by the whole family.
Ingredients
Seitan Chicken
Half cup blanched white beans, drained, and rinsed
8 cups vegan chicken broth
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/2 cup water
1/2 medium onion peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cups Vital wheat Gluten
3 tablespoons nutrition yeast
2 tablespoons garbanzo bean flour
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion paste
1 teaspoon chicken seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Black pepper
Vegan Buttermilk
1 cup unsweetened almond butter milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Coating
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon onion paste
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Black pepper
For Frying
Canola oil (or any oil of your choice)
A wire rack can be used over a baking sheet, or on a few plates covered with paper towels.
Instructions
Add the white beans to a large bowl. Use a fork to mash the beans or a potato masher to break them down. You want the beans to be broken down, but the mixture should not be too smooth. The beans will add texture to your nuggets. Mix 1 cup vegan chicken broth with 1/2 cup water. Add 1 tablespoon dijon mustard. Mix until well combined and then set aside.
Add the 7 cups of vegan broth to a large saucepan. Bring to boil.
Continue to prepare the nuggets while the broth mixture boils. Add the vital wheat gluten and nutritional yeast to a large bowl. Next, combine the garbanzo beans flour, garlic powder, onion, poultry seasonings, salt, black pepper, and nutritional yeast. Mix until smooth. Then add the bean mixture. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients until they form a dough-like consistency. You can now use your hands to knead and stretch the dough with your hands.
Divide the dough into 40 pieces of chicken nuggets. The pieces can be weighed to ensure they are evenly distributed, but we simply eyeballed them. Each piece should be flattened and stretched a little (see video).
When the broth is boiling, add the nuggets and stir with a spoon. Reduce the heat to low and let the seitan pieces simmer for 45 minutes. To ensure that the top doesn't dry out, mix occasionally.
Grab two small bowls to help the cook. Mix the almond milk, vinegar, and vegan buttermilk in the first bowl. Continue to mix until smooth. Let this sit for 15 minutes so that the almond milk can curdle into "buttermilk". Mix together the all-purpose flour with panko breadcrumbs, onion and garlic powders, salt, and black pepper in a second bowl. Mix until smooth and set aside.
After the seitan has been boiled, strain the broth. Discard the bay leaf, onion, garlic, as well as the bay leaf. Let the seitan cool down until it is easy to handle.
Add canola oil or oil of your choice to a large saucepan. Heat until 2 inches thick. Heat over medium heat. When a small amount of flour is incorporated into the oil, it will instantly foam.
Now it is time to fry the chicken. Double batter is required. You will first dip the seitan in the buttermilk, shake off excess, then mix the seitan with the dry mixture. Finally, you will pour the milk back into the pan and finally back into the dry. *
Flip the nuggets halfway through and cook until golden brown. Each side should take approximately 4 minutes.
To remove the nuggets, use a strainer. Place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Let cool down with a towel. Continue to fry the nuggets until they are all fried.
Let the nuggets cool, then sprinkle salt on top if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
Original recipe by Brian Patton, The Sexy Vegan
Pan-frying the nuggets is an option if you don't want to deep fry them. You may need to increase the oil as they cook.
These chicken nuggets can also be baked! After breading, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400F until golden brown.
These can be made ahead and frozen in an airtight container. Cool the nuggets completely after they have been cooked. For 10-15 minutes, heat them in the oven at 400F until they are crispy.
We like to use a wet towel or rinse our hands between each nugget to make sure the breading is smooth. This will prevent batter from building up on your fingers and help you achieve a better coating on your nuggets.
To prevent your nuggets from becoming gummy, fry them soon after they are breaded.
Disclaimer: Some affiliate links may be included on this page. This simply means that we might earn a commission if someone purchases through those links. However, your price will remain the same. Sweet Simple Vegan thanks you!
Sweet Simple Vegan published the article The Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I eat instead of meat for protein?
Protein is an important component of a healthy diet. It can be found in both animal- and plant-based sources. Plant-based proteins include legumes (nuts and seeds), beans, lentils (wheat gluten), seitan (wheat flour), and hemp seeds. High levels of antioxidants in many vegetables and fruits can help reduce inflammation. Some dairy alternatives, such as almond and oatmilk, can be fortified with protein, which makes them a great plant-based substitute to cow's. Pumpkin seeds and nutritional yeast, which are both plant-based alternatives to cow's milk, can add a cheesy flavor while also providing more micronutrients that their animal-based counterparts. Vegan protein powders for smoothies and shakes are great options for adding nutrition without having to eat animal products.
Are you able to get enough protein with a plant-based lifestyle?
Yes, you will get enough protein if you eat a plant-based diet. For muscle building and health, you can use amino acids in legumes, seeds, legumes, and nuts. Tofu and other soy products contain all the essential amino acids that your body can't make but must obtain from food. Combining legumes and grains with vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and kale can provide sufficient protein to ensure adequate nutrition. Plant-based protein are better for long-term satisfaction and support longer-lasting satiety. You can balance out other nutrients by eating omega-3 oils in flaxseeds.
What are the negatives to plant-based meats?
The main drawback of plant-based meats is their lack of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in animal protein sources. Certain essential amino acids, such as vitamin B12 and heme iron are lower in plant-based meat than in animal proteins. Additionally, some plant-based meats contain more sodium than real meat due to the abundant amount needed for preservation. Furthermore, purchasing quality vegan products from grocery stores or online outlets can be more expensive and time-consuming. Vegan options can also take more time to cook, which could lead to longer cooking times.
Is it possible to sustain a plant-based diet?
Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular for their health and environmental benefits. Because it causes less pollution than foods made from animal products, a plant-based diet can be more sustainably. Plant-based food uses less resources than animal-derived products. Commercially raised animals often need large amounts of water, soil, and fossil fuels. Some environmental effects of livestock production have been associated with global warming. Reducing consumption of these foods and incorporating more plant-based meals to one's week could help reduce carbon footprint and promote healthier, more eco-friendly practices.
How do you replace the meat in a plant based diet?
Innovative vegan substitutes are available to replace meat in a plant based diet. Tofu (wheat gluten), seitan (wheat protein), tempeh, fermented soybeans, and mock duck made of mushrooms can all be substituted for traditional meats. Vegetarian burgers made from black beans and quinoa can also be as good as beef burgers. There are many tasty alternatives to beef burgers, including coconut bacon strips or eggplant bacon pieces; tofu mighto; veggie hotdogs made with seasoned and texture soy proteins; and faux chicken strips using wheat gluten. You can modify recipes to include vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits. Other cooking methods, such as roasting, steaming, or grilling, are great options to enjoy plant-based foods without sacrificing flavor.
What amount of meat is acceptable on a plant-based diet.
No amount of meat is permissible on a plant-based diet. This diet eliminates all animal products including poultry, fish, and meat. Many vegan substitutes can deliver the same flavor and texture with no animal products. Many soy-based proteins, such as seitan (wheat Gluten), tempeh(fermented soybeans), mock duck (made from mushrooms), and tofu (wheat gluten), can be used to mimic the flavors of traditional meat dishes. Vegetarian vegetarian burgers made with black beans, quinoa and other ingredients are similar in taste to beef burgers. Tofu mayo, coconut bacon strips, eggplant bacon bits and veggie hot dogs made from seasoned textured soybean protein are all tasty vegan options. These options are great for people looking to transition to a plant-based diet that is flavorful and protein-packed without including any animal products.
Are there any celebrities or athletes that advocate for a plant diet?
There are many celebrities and athletes who advocate a plant-based diet. These include NBA player Kyrie Irving, Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, actress Natalie Portman, singer Meghan Trainor and NFL running back Kenneth Farrow. Each of them have chosen the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle because it was best for them and have had impressive achievements in their respective fields, whether they are athletes or artists. Actress Alicia Silverstone went as far as even writing a book about her experience with the vegan lifestyle titled Kind Diet. Professional tennis player Novak Djokovic has credited his career successes to his unconventional habit of eating primarily organic vegan foods during competitions; his stats have drastically improved since he adopted this regimen. The four professional athletes all point out some notable qualities such as increased energy, quicker recovery from injuries and better overall health and well-being. These success stories show that plant-based diets can help you achieve better athleticism.
Statistics
In fact, according to research published in the going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)
Another found that following a diet rich in plant foods and lower in animal foods was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31 to 32 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. (everydayhealth.com)
Plant-based meal prep makes it easy to prepare healthy and balanced vegan meals in advance. It takes planning and preparation but can help you save time and encourage healthier eating habits. Prepping plant-based meals in advance makes it easier to stick to your diet, as the food is already ready when you need something healthy and delicious. You also have more time to do other activities, such as exercise and relaxation, since you don't need to make everything from scratch every day.
Successful plant-based meal prep is all about variety. To get more nutrition, choose different ingredients every week. Choose spinach for greens; purple carrots to orange/reds; brown rice for complex carbohydrates. Each meal should aim to provide a balance between fiber, protein and fats depending on each person's individual needs.
Use a slow cooker, multi-cooker, or multi-cooker, to optimize your meal prep efficiency.
A few easy steps can make meal preparation for a plant based diet fun and easy. To get started, create a grocery list based on recipes you plan to make. To get fresh produce and other quality items, you should shop at local farmers' market or health food shops if possible. It's also important to allow enough time for food preparation. This will save you both time and money. Proper storage equipment is also important so that food doesn't spoil until it's needed.
Ultimately plant-based meal prepping enables one to eat well no matter how busy life gets. Individuals can achieve their nutritional goals by taking the guesswork away from healthy eating.
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Category: Kids, Snack
Cuisine: Vegan
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