American · medium · 45 min · serves 4
How to make fried chicken vegan
Short answer
Replace chicken, buttermilk brine, egg wash with oyster mushrooms, tofu or seitan, soy milk + vinegar, the same soy buttermilk. The method is unchanged and takes about 45 minutes for 4 servings.
Key takeaways
- Non-vegan parts: chicken, buttermilk brine, egg wash.
- Chicken → Oyster mushrooms, tofu or seitan: Oyster mushrooms give the best shred
- Buttermilk → Soy milk + vinegar: Rest 10 minutes
- Egg wash → The same soy buttermilk: Double-dredge
- Total time 45 min · medium · serves 4.
What makes the classic version non-vegan
- Chicken
- Buttermilk brine
- Egg wash
Swap table
| Instead of | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | Oyster mushrooms, tofu or seitan | Oyster mushrooms give the best shred |
| Buttermilk | Soy milk + vinegar | Rest 10 minutes |
| Egg wash | The same soy buttermilk | Double-dredge |
Method
- 1Brine mushrooms or tofu in soy buttermilk with hot sauce for 30 minutes.
- 2Mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper and salt.
- 3Dredge, dip back in the buttermilk, dredge again for craggy edges.
- 4Fry at 170°C for 5–7 minutes until deep golden.
- 5Rest on a rack, never paper, and salt immediately.
The one thing people get wrong
Double-dredging is the whole secret to craggy, shatter-crisp coating.
Frequently asked questions
- Can fried chicken be made vegan?
- Yes. Replace chicken, buttermilk brine, egg wash with oyster mushrooms, tofu or seitan, soy milk + vinegar, the same soy buttermilk. The method stays essentially the same and takes about 45 minutes.
- What is the hardest part of veganizing fried chicken?
- Double-dredging is the whole secret to craggy, shatter-crisp coating.
- How long does vegan fried chicken take?
- About 45 minutes for 4 servings — a medium recipe.
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