The vegan chicken game is getting stronger by the day. Appearing strongly in supermarkets, there are plant-based nuggets, frozen grilled chicken-free strips and even plant-based popcorn chicken starting to make inroads at mass retail scales. But while we wait for the flood of fast-food options (KFC, we’re looking at you to lead the way), here are seven delicious vegan popcorn chicken recipes you can make at home.
What is popcorn chicken?
Popcorn chicken consists of bite-sized, breaded pieces of fried chicken, roughly the same size as popcorn (no surprise here). It’s synonymous with fast-food giant KFC, and that’s because the chain was the first to create the dish (invented by Jane Gagliardi, a food technologist) and make it accessible to the masses in the 1990s. Since then, it has been added to the chain’s menus around the world and has inspired many branded, frozen copycat products.
What is vegan popcorn chicken made of?
A few vegan brands have already created products that mimic KFC’s iconic menu item, but of course, they’re not made with real chicken. For example, UK brand VFC and South African brand Fry make vegan versions of popcorn chicken with soy and wheat proteins. And, as the plant-based meat market grows, they may face competition from more plant-based popcorn chicken in the coming years. But until then, you can make your own at home using ingredients like tofu, cauliflower, soy curls, and seitan.
Vegan Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Francesca Bonadonna
1 Easy, Crispy Vegan Popcorn Chicken
When shopping for ingredients, don’t settle for firm tofu—extra-firm is key to achieving that juicy, meaty bite. This recipe is about as authentic as you’ll get, so be prepared to deep fry! This results in sixty golden tofu ripe, battered and fried tofu that will go in a flash.
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The Ag Veg
2 KFC Popcorn ‘Chicken’
The deep-fryer will earn a permanent place on your kitchen counter after you make this recipe. Better than bouillon no chicken cubes (which are vegan), Chicken Soy Curls with an authentic chicken flavor, impart flavor in every single ingredient. The curls are dipped in a seasoned batter, tossed in bubbling oil, then placed on a cooling rack to have a crispy exterior. Let cool long enough to not scald your face (it’s hard, we know).
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Viet is vegan
3 Vegan Popcorn Chicken with Soy Chunks
Turn up the tunes and have some fun with this recipe – step five involves some shaking and baking! Well, technically the breaded soy chunks are fried, but you can have a little fun shaking the Ziploc bag to coat each textured nugget. Don’t skip the dip, either. This dill-infused vegan sour cream couldn’t be easier to make, and it rivals any dipping sauce you’ll find at the drive-thru — including a certain controversial chicken chain that’s closed on Sundays.
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Dad goes vegan
4 Vegan Popcorn Chicken with Tofu
When it comes to kid-friendly finger foods, dads definitely know best. This simple recipe relies on protein-packed tofu and a simple vegan buttermilk drizzle to achieve a fast-food flavor with vegan ingredients. Instructions include shallow-fry and air-fryer cooking methods, so anyone can take it on regardless of their kitchen equipment situation.
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George A
5 Vegan Taiwanese Popcorn Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets work wonders when imitating buffalo-style chicken—it’s no surprise that they also translate wonderfully to popcorn chicken. Social media star George Lee puts a Taiwanese spin on this American classic by adding fried basil, Sichuan pepper and five-spice to the mix. These simple accoutrements transform your run-of-the-mill roasted cauliflower from bland to bold.
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the vega
6 Cauliflower Popcorn Chicken
Can’t take the spice? Return to this tried and true, baked and breaded cauliflower popcorn chicken recipe. The crunch, carbonated water, and coarsely ground cornflakes typically required in deep-frying mimic this satisfying texture without the added oil. Enjoy these healthy bites on their own or pile them atop a deeply satisfying salad drizzled with vegan ranch dressing.
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Six vegan sisters
7 Seitan Fried Chicken
Seitan’s thick and chewy texture makes it a perfect match for veganized popcorn chicken. Although store-bought seitan is readily available in most supermarkets, it’s best to make your own with this recipe to get the chicken flavor just right. If you’re crunched for time, try to find chicken-sizan seitan at the store. Once you have the base, the process is as simple as season, drain and fry until golden brown. “Addictive” doesn’t even begin to explain the pull of this delicious delicacy.
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