Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (2024)

September 1, 2020 · Plant Based Diet Recipes

Vegan jackfruit buffalo wing nuggets are a healthy and lighter alternative to an old favorite. If you haven’t started cooking with jackfruit yet, this is a great recipe to try. The texture makes it the perfect alternative to chicken! I find it to be incredibly tasty and satisfying.

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In fact, jackfruit is quickly becoming one of my favorite meat replacements! It’s also really easy to find cans of jackfruit at the local market – I like buying the Trader Joe’s brand. So, whether you’re looking for a game day appetizer or just cooking for yourself, give this recipe a shot next time you’re craving something spicy.

Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (1)

What is jackfruit?

I remember seeing jackfruit in stores and wondering what the strange looking fruit was. I never knew you could cook such tasty appetizers with it! But, what is this mystery fruit?

Native to South India, jackfruit is an exotic fruit that has gained a ton of popularity for its unique flavor and texture. It’s one of the largest fruits that grows on trees, and they can be a whopping 80 pounds in weight! When ripe, it has a sweet and tropical taste. Unripe jackfruit has a meat-like texture and a more neutral flavor. This is why it’s so popular in vegan dishes.

Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (2)

How to make these jackfruit nuggets

When you’re making these jackfruit nuggets you’ll follow a similar process as if you were making chicken nuggets. The jackfruit is dipped in a wet batter made with almond milk and a flax egg. The flax egg is completely optional, but I find it really does help keep everything together.

To make the flax egg: use 1 tablespoon of flax seeds to 3 tablespoons of water. Then, let it sit for 5 minutes to firm up.

After dipping the nuggets in the wet batter, you’ll then bread them as you would any other nugget recipe! The breading is very versatile and you can add as many different spices as you want. So, don’t be afraid to experiment.

You will adore the vegan ranch dipping sauce!

They wouldn’t be nuggets without a vegan ranch dipping sauce, right? Feel free to experiment with the herbs and spices in this recipe as well.

Here are some ideas for additions to the dipping sauce:

Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
Dill
Nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
Cayenne pepper for a bit of added kick
1 oz of pickle juice for extra tang
Fresh chopped green onion
Honey or maple syrup for added sweetness

Why use jackfruit in recipes

Versatility: Jackfruit can be used in a variety of recipes, from savory dishes to sweet desserts, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
Texture: Its meaty texture makes it a popular choice for vegetarian and vegan recipes, serving as a great substitute for meat.
Nutrition: Jackfruit is packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
Flavor: Its unique, subtly sweet flavor can enhance the taste of numerous dishes.
Sustainability: As a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, using jackfruit is more environmentally friendly compared to many other food sources.

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Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets

Vegan jackfruit nuggets are delicious and plant based.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

2 (14 oz) cans of jackfruit in brine or water rinsed and drained
1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp apple cider vinegaror lemon juice
1 flax egg optional
¼ cup buffalo sauce
¾ cup flour almond flour works well
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup panko bread crumbs optional
1 Tbsp sea salt
¼ tsp harissa seasoning optional
vegetable or olive oil for frying

For The Vegan Ranch Dipping Sauce

1.5 cups cup vegan mayo
¼ cup unsweetened soy milk
1 Tsp apple cider vinegar
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 Tbsp dried parsley
2 Tsp dried dill
1 Tsp onion powder
½ tsp Black pepper
½ tbsp Sea salt

Instructions

Drain and rinse jackfruit. Rest on plate lined with a paper towel to dry and pat off any excess moisture.
Whisk together almond milk and apple cider vinegar in a medium-sized bowel.
Add flax egg to bowl with almond milk (if using).
Combined flour, corn starch, panko, salt and spices in a shallow pan or bowl.
In a large frying pan bring oil to a medium high heat. You can also use your air fryer for this recipe.
Take a 3 or 4 prepped jackfruit piecesat a time and gently dip into your almond milk mixture, then roll the pieces into the dry flour mixture.
Carefully drop coated jackfruit pieces in the hot oil until they crisp up.
Allow each piece to cool before gently tossing with buffalo sauce before serving.

For The Vegan Ranch

Combine all the ingredients and whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined
Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge for 30 minutes

Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat jackfruit straight from the tin? ›

This is particularly more important if you plan to eat your jackfruit raw, as the texture of the core isn't as noticeable once the fruits have been cooked. Again, the canned jackfruit is perfectly safe to eat straight out of the can, but it tends to taste best warm and with seasoning.

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Can you eat the stringy part of jackfruit? ›

When the jackfruit is cooked, peel off the skin to reveal the seeds and pods surrounding the seeds. The seed pods can be eaten, as well as the stringy fleshy sections between the pods and skin.

What do jackfruit nuggets taste like? ›

What do the nuggets taste like? Think of your classic chicken nugget, then imagine them with jackfruit. Our nuggets taste just like a crispy and savory chicken tender—minus the chicken.

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Is canned jackfruit already cooked? ›

Do I need to cook canned jackfruit? Yes. The cooking stage is when the transformation from unripe fruit to rich, meaty dish takes place.

Does jackfruit taste like pepperoni? ›

The jackfruit texture is not dissimilar to a banana, mango, or pineapple in terms of being dense and fibrous. But the taste is quite distinctive. Some say it's sweet, and some say a jackfruit has a flavor similar to pulled pork, especially when cooked.

Does cooked jackfruit taste like chicken? ›

Jackfruit has a mildly sweet flavor to it, and can be used in place of meats in a variety of recipes. The jackfruit will cook down into what resembles shredded chicken or pork, and when sautéed with BBQ sauce and put in a sandwich or wrap, it will have the same texture and is very satisfying.

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Do you have to rinse canned jackfruit? ›

If you use the more convenient canned jackfruit, take care to rinse as much of the brine away as possible. I like to soak it in cold water for a few hours to extract as much as I can. You also probably won't need to add salt to your recipe, so taste before adding any soy sauce or salty condiments.

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How do you cook jackfruit from a can? ›

Drain jackfruit and rinse thoroughly. Add jackfruit, spices and veggie broth to a heavy-bottom skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until jackfruit has softened and liquid has mostly cooked off.

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How long should canned jackfruit be cooked? ›

Drain jackfruit and rinse thoroughly. Add jackfruit, spices and veggie broth to a heavy-bottom skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until jackfruit has softened and liquid has mostly cooked off.

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Is canned jackfruit any good? ›

Canned jackfruit pairs well with barbeque sauce, making it a great swap for chicken or pork in a sandwich. It also works well as a star ingredient in a vegetable curry or as a vegan riff on carnitas. Recipes usually call for canned jackfruit since it's more widely available.