For today’s recipe, we’ve revisited a classic American favorite: crunchy nuggets. And we gave them a plant-based spin with fried jackfruit chunks instead of chicken. We seasoned them with a special spice combination and made them super crispy. Sound exciting? Let us show you how it’s done!
While chicken nuggets are a no-no in a vegan diet, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy something just as delicious with plant-based ingredients. That’s where our beloved jackfruit comes in! The young, unripe fruit has a neutral taste and a wonderfully fleshy texture. Its pulp is made up of threadlike threads that look exactly like chicken meat, making it the perfect vegan substitute.
The great thing about jackfruit is that it takes on the flavors of the ingredients it is mixed with. So we decided to coat our nuggets in homemade Cajun seasoning, with spices like paprika, oregano, and garlic. We’re giving you the full list of Cajun spices so you can make them from scratch like we did. However, you can use the ready-mixed, store-bought Cajun seasoning if you already have it at home.
The secret of perfectly fried nuggets lies in the breading and frying. For the breading you need starch, vegan buttermilk and breadcrumbs. It’s a three-step coating process, with each layer adding flavor, thickness, and crunch to the nugget. And if you want extra crispy Nuggets, then flaky panko breadcrumbs are your best bet. Trust us, they will make a difference!
As for deep frying, we rarely deep fry in our recipes as it’s not a very healthy way of cooking. But enjoying a few fried nuggets in moderation every now and then won’t harm your overall health. For best results, a cooking thermometer is fine. But we’re going to share some tips and tricks on how to get great results even if you don’t have a thermometer.
Once you bite into one of these vegan nuggets, you won’t believe they’re made from jackfruit. They’re so crispy, flavorful, and meaty they don’t take more than 5 minutes to make. Certainly not ours! Drizzle them with lemon juice and dip them in ketchup, eggless mayo, buffalo sauce, or your dip of choice. Enjoy!