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Crispy Best Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade and Irresistibly Good

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A crispy, juicy, and flavorful vegan fried chicken made with extra-firm tofu and a seasoned chickpea flour batter. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and tender inside, this easy recipe is a plant-based comfort food favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz (400g) extra-firm tofu, pressed and drained
  • 1 cup (120g) chickpea flour (gram flour)
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (almond or oat milk)
  • Vegetable oil for frying (canola or sunflower preferred)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Press and prepare tofu: Wrap the extra-firm tofu block in clean kitchen towels or paper towels, then place a heavy object on top for at least 20 minutes to drain excess moisture.
  2. Cut tofu into 8-10 pieces, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Pat each piece dry again before coating.
  3. Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together chickpea flour, plant-based milk, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Adjust thickness with more milk if needed.
  4. Prepare the dredging flour: In another bowl, combine all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  5. Coat tofu: Dredge each tofu piece in the seasoned flour, shake off excess, dip into the chickpea batter, let excess drip off, then coat again in the seasoned flour, pressing gently.
  6. Heat about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or a small drop of batter sizzles immediately.
  7. Fry tofu pieces carefully in batches, 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat as needed.
  8. Remove fried tofu with tongs and place on a wire rack over paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for a couple of minutes.
  9. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or sides like crispy smashed potatoes or a fresh salad.

Notes

Pressing tofu well is essential for crispiness. Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) to avoid greasy or burnt crust. Double coat tofu for extra crunch but watch frying time to prevent overcooking. Air-frying at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes is a lighter alternative. Leftovers reheat well in a 350°F oven on a wire rack for 10 minutes to restore crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan fried chicken, crispy tofu, plant-based fried chicken, vegan comfort food, tofu recipe, chickpea flour batter, easy vegan dinner

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/crispy-best-vegan-fried-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-and-irresistibly-good/