Vegan Fried Chicken | Oyster Mushroom Fried Chicken
If you’ve been missing fried chicken since you went vegan or vegetarian, this vegan fried chicken recipe is really going to satisfy you! You can serve it as an appetizer with a dip, use it for sandwiches, salads and anything you’d like.
Vegan Fried Chicken
Amigos I’m thrilled to be sharing this recipe with you today.
Like many of you, I’ve been seeing it pop up all over the place. So of course I had to try it and share with you. I’ve made it several times and can say this is going to stay on rotation!
There are several variations in how to make this vegan fried “chicken”. Everything from buffalo wing style, buttermilk vegan fried chicken, to just plain homestyle fried vegan chicken.
That’s what I truly love about this recipe. It’s so versatile.
I’ve already tried so many methods, and I have found that this works fantastic for some Mexican dishes as well. In the next recipe post I’m going to share one such way, so make sure to come back for that.
Oyster Mushroom Fried Chicken
So as you might have guessed already this fried vegan “chicken” is made using oyster mushrooms.
Crazy huh? That a mushroom could work so well to for this. But amigos, it just works!
Specially when battered and fried, your mind will be blown at how well this works.
This is actually not something new invented this year by TikTokers, it’s been around for a while but so many of use are just discovering how wonderful oyster mushrooms work for making vegan chicken.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are probably my favorite mushroom since going meatless.
They have a perfect texture to mimic meat without the gross feeling of actual meat — and of course the cruelty. You can sauté them whole to create like little fillets, or shred to resemble shredded or pulled apart meat.
Additionally these beautiful petal mushrooms are quite nutritious. They’re low in calories, high in antioxidants, good for your heart, can help moderate blood sugar levels, good for immune system, full of fiber and so great for the digestive system.
Vegan Buttermilk or Regular Plant Based Milk
So you’ll notice that my recipe I use soy milk and not vegan buttermilk. But I’ve tested out both and both are fantastic. Really it depends on what you’re going to be eating the vegan fried chicken with.
To make vegan buttermilk it’s simply a matter of combining the plant milk with lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for a little while. Super simple and delicious.
For the plant based milk I prefer to use unsweetened and unflavored soy milk. I tested almond milk but found the soy to work better. I’m sure oat milk would work well too due to it’s thicker than almond consistency.
What Breading to Use
Some recipes just use flour, others use regular seasoned breadcrumbs, some ground cornflakes and others panko breadcrumbs.
I’ve personally tested out just the flour, the seasoned regular breadcrumbs and the panko breadcrumbs. Honestly all have tasted amazing! Again it’s a matter of personal preference and how you’re going to prepare and enjoy the oyster mushroom fried chicken.
My recipe below uses panko, but feel free to swap for regular breadcrumbs.
Air Fried or Oil Fried
These are two other things I’ve also tested. It comes down to personal preferrence.
However, though this girl loves her fried foods as much as anyone, I found that I enjoyed the air fried method best.
I personally feel that mushrooms absorb a bit too much oil when deep fried. But again it’s a matter of personal choice. You can get oil frying instructions in the recipe below.
Can I Bake This Vegan Fried Chicken Instead
Yes you can! Though I feel you won’t get the exact same results as air fried. But it’ll still be delicious.
What Seasonings to Use
There are so many different seasoning you can use, of course highly dependent on how you’re going to be enjoying the oyster mushroom vegan fried chicken.
For the version I’m sharing with you today I’ve used the following. These seasonings were chosen to work well with the Mexican recipe I’m going to share next.
• Salt Free Poultry Seasoning: This is a basic mix of herbs you can get anywhere. For some reason adding this to foods it helps give it that “chicken” flavor. Make sure yours doesn’t include salt, if it does just omit the salt called for in the recipe then adjust after wards.
• Ground Black Pepper: This gives it a touch of heat and well pepper makes everything taste better.
• Granulated Garlic & Onion: Don’t confuse this with garlic or onion powder. Though those work fine too, the granulated is a slightly grainier texture.
• Ground Turmeric Powder: I added this for a slight addition of color. It won’t won’t overpower the other flavors. Plus it’s quite healthy too.
• Salt: Again, only add this if you’re poultry seasoning doesn’t include it. When it calls for it for the breading you can always add more if you’d like.
Vegan Fried Chicken Recipe
Ok amigos, below is my vegan air fried “chicken” recipe. Do watch the video and read through the recipe. If you have further questions feel free to DM me on Instagram, I’d be happy to help anyway I can.
Vegan Fried Chicken (Oyster Mushroom Fried Chicken)
Video
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 10 oz oyster mushroom petals the freshest possible
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened & unflavored soy milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups panko or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated salt adjust to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric powder optional
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- spray oil
Instructions
- In a bowl mix the 1 1/2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning with the soy milk. Mix until well combined. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl combine the panko or breadcrumbs with the 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning and all remaining spices. Stir until well combined. Set aside. In another bowl pour in the flour.
- To prep the oyster mushrooms, separate large pieces into smaller petals. You can cut off a little bit of the hard stem if desired. With a damp paper towel wipe away any dirt and debri.
- Dip each petal into the seasoned soy milk first, then dredge in the flour shaking off excess flour, then dip into the soy milk again. Lastly dredge in seasoned panko then set aside on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Continue doing this until all of the petals have been battered. If there are any with some spots of flour brush them with a little bit of the leftover soy milk.
- Lightly spray the battered mushrooms with the spray oil. Place as many as you can in your air fryer basket without overcrowding them. Put them in with the sprayed side up. Set the temperature to 400F for 9 minutes.
- After the 9 minutes flip over and spray with more spray oil if desired. Cook for another 4 to 5 more minutes. They’re done once golden on both sides. Remove from the air fryer and allow to cool on a plate. Continue with batches until all mushrooms have been air fried.
- Serve as desired!
Notes
- If you want to oil fry simple heat oil to 375F and fry the battered mushrooms. Don’t over crowd them. Drain excess oil on a paper towel lined plate.
- If you don’t like the spices I used, feel free to use whichever you’d like to flavor the vegan chicken as desired.
Nutrition
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Please make sure to leave a comment and a star rating if you make the recipe, it’s a huge help for my blog. Gracias!
How to Eat Vegan Fried Chicken
There are so many ways to enjoy this dish!
You can grab some of your favorite dressing or dip and just dip the fried petals into it. You can use them to make fried “chicken” Sandwiches, you can use in burritos, in wraps, in salads….or just on their own.
These vegan air fried chicken is flavorful, tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. They are seriously amazing tasting and I promise you’re going to want to make them over and over again.
More Recipes to Try
- https://schoolnightvegan.com/home/vegan-fried-chicken/
- https://sweetsimplevegan.com/2020/07/vegan-kfc-fried-chicken/
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
Who doesn’t love fried mushrooms, but you really have taken it to the top. Love the seasoning and especially the use of oyster mushrooms. Love those mushrooms.
I’ve been looking for this recipe will try it because it looks easy and crispy
But why is this sooo good and easy, the seasoning was just wright. New favourite recipe and a new follower
It’s incredibly easy and just as delicious. Enjoy