This is literally the best Vegan Fried Chicken I have legit tasted! I also refer to it as KFT – as in Kentucky Fried Tofu. Mean, kickass, crispy as hell chicken-style tofu covered in a crunchy brown coating. May as well go the whole hog and whip up some ranch to dip that shizz into.
So how can tofu have the faintest resemblance to chicken? The answer my friends is freezing. Living in China for over two years have given me plenty of experience in the tofu world and the various techniques that are used to prepare it. As a result, I’ve developed a whole heap of tofu recipes like my Fishless Fingers and Vegan Schnitzel which you must totally check out if you get a chance.
Freezing tofu changes its structure from a firm water-containing block to a sponge that’s dying to get rid of its water load. Squeeze the heck out of it to remove the liquid and we’ve got some chicken breast right there. So we’ve got the texture sorted, but what about the taste?
A good stock, seasoned adequately. Drench the dried out tofu pieces into a flavoursome broth and then coat it with a crumb mix before deep-frying. If you want to keep it healthy, it’s just as good baked, but it won’t have that take-out taste. Both work for me, but there’s just something more satisfying in licking that grease from around your lips.
Why is this Good for Me?
- Tofu is a great source of protein, exhibiting all 9 amino acids, which makes it a complete protein. Our bodies require all amino acids to help repair and build cells and tissues as well as new proteins and also play a vital role in the transportation of various nutrients. Another bonus is that tofu contains no saturated fat (pretty much no fat actually) and offers a range of minerals too, such as calcium, iron and zinc which are needed for various metabolic processes. A 200g serving contains around 75% of our recommended calcium intake.
Questions about Vegan Fried Chicken
How to make vegan fried chicken?
To make vegan fried chicken, you will need ingredients for the faux chicken and ingredients for the coating. The chicken here is made with thawed and drained tofu soaked in stock, which is then brushed with milk and flax egg before being dipped into flour and spices and then fried.
Freeze the tofu overnight then allow to thaw. Squeeze out all of the water between two chopping boards and leave to rest. Break the tofu apart into large chunks then soak it in veg stock. Prepare the crumb mix by combining flour, onion, powder, garlic powder, spices salt and pepper. Add 4 tbsp corn starch to a bowl and dust the tofu chunks, shaking off the excess flour. Make a runny paste with the remaining 2 tbsp corn starch and milk and dip in the tofu chunks. Next, coat the tofu chunks in the crumb mix. Brush, spray or drizzle with rapeseed oil and either bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway or place in an air fryer for 20 minutes.
For the ranch, toss silken tofu, garlic, garlic powder, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard powder and soya milk (except fresh chives and dill) into a food processor, blend to a creamy consistency- add more milk if desired. Stir in the chives and dill.
Does vegan fried chicken taste like KFC?
Vegan fried chicken tastes very similar to KFC chicken, particularly in terms of texture of the tofu and the crisp coating. The flavour of the tofu however, is slightly different so I am yet to perfect this.
Can you make vegan fried chicken from scratch?
This recipe can be made from scratch, it just requires a little more effort than if you bought it ready-made, but then what isn’t?!
What is vegan chicken made of?
Vegan chicken is made with a whole host of ingredients. With the range of ready-made vegan products out there, faux chicken can be made with tofu, seitan, Quorn, soy isolate and other such ingredients that have the ability to imitate the texture of chicken. This recipe uses firm tofu.
Recipe Substitutions
- A gluten-free flour blend can be used instead of plain flour
- This fried chicken can also be made in an air fryer
- To keep it simple, spices can be omitted, though the flavour will vary
- Rice cakes can be subbed with puffed rice, cornflakes or quinoa pops
This Vegan Fried Chicken is…
- Crispy
- Tender
- Meaty
- Made with tofu
- Vegan
- Plant-based
More Recipes to Try…
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Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 600 g firm tofu
- 200 g plain flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp yeast flakes
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 litre stock of your choice
- 6 tbsp cornstarch
- 50 ml plant milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 3 rice cakes
Ranch
- 250 g silken tofu
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 100 ml soya milk
- Handful fresh chives
- 1 tbsp dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Freeze the tofu overnight then allow to thaw.
- Squeeze out all of the water between two chopping boards and leave to rest.
- Break the tofu apart into large chunks.
- Soak the tofu in the stock then remove any excess liquid.
- Prepare the crumb mix by combining flour, onion, powder, garlic powder, spices, crumbled rice cakes, salt and pepper.
- Add 4 tbsp corn starch to a bowl and dust the tofu chunks, shaking off the excess flour.
- Make a runny paste with the remaining 2 tbsp corn starch and milk and dip in the tofu chunks.
- Next, coat the tofu chunk in the crumb mix.
- Brush, spray or drizzle with rapeseed oil
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway or place in an air fryer for 20 minutes.
- For the ranch, toss all ingredients (except chives and dill) into a food processor, blend to a creamy consistency- add more milk if desired.
- Stir in the chives and dill.
Notes
- A gluten-free flour blend can be used instead of plain flour
- This fried chicken can also be made in an air fryer
- To keep it simple, spices can be omitted, though the flavour will vary
- Rice cakes can be subbed with puffed rice, cornflakes or quinoa pops
[…] them as an alternative to fries with your Vegan Fried Chicken, Fishless Fingers or […]