Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (2024)

Plant Based Diet Recipes

ByAny Reason Vegans

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

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

Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets

Vegan jackfruit nuggets are delicious and plant based.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Serving Size 4 servings

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

Do you need to cook canned jackfruit? ›

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

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.

What does fried jackfruit taste like? ›

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.

Can you make jackfruit taste like meat? ›

Simply tease the raw jackfruit apart with your hands or two forks, mix with your favorite spice blend (barbecue or fajita seasonings work well), and sauté before serving in buns with slaw or in fajitas, burritos, or tamales (these are filled with jackfruit and drizzled with a bright and fresh cilantro sauce).

What flavor is jackfruit in brine? ›

What does jackfruit taste like? Green jackfruit has very little taste on its own. The canned variety tastes more like brine than fruit, and is best cooked with other strong flavors. Ripe jackfruit tastes like a cross between mango and bananas, and it smells like candy.

Should I rinse canned jackfruit? ›

Canned Jackfruit sits in brine so it needs to be rinsed to get the salt off. You will have a stringy part that may have a small seed and a core that's hard to the touch attached.

How healthy is canned jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and other important vitamins and minerals. Also, research suggests that compounds in the flesh, seeds, and other parts of the plant may potentially treat or prevent several health conditions. Jackfruit is a popular meat substitute.

Why is jackfruit so expensive? ›

Jackfruit is highly perishable and niche, so it is not worth importing it in large volumes. All this drives up the final price," he says.

What brand is jackfruit chicken nuggets? ›

jack & annie's crispy jackfruit nuggets dunk on all the competitors. The flavor and texture appeals to young adults, as well as families with children.

Are jackfruit nuggets good? ›

These crispy jackfruit nuggets are so delicious and make for the BEST meat-free alternative to chicken nuggets. They have a nice stringy middle consistency with a super crunchy spiced coating. Plus, they are baked in the oven and made without oil for a healthier recipe!

Is jackfruit high in sugar? ›

Jackfruit is rich in carbohydrates, which are high in natural sugars. Those are bad for diabetic patients in large doses. Still, jackfruit is also less in calories and has a moderate glycemic index. It includes insoluble fibre and some protein, hampers digestion, and keeps blood sugar stable.

Is fried jackfruit healthy? ›

Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables are also associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Vitamin C in Vacuum Fried Jackfruit Chips supports the immune system, repairs cell damage, and helps the body absorb other important nutrients such as iron.

Is A jackfruit A Vegetable or a fruit? ›

Jackfruit is an exotic fruit grown in tropical regions of the world. It is native to South India. It is part of the Moraceae plant family, which also includes fig, mulberry and breadfruit. Jackfruit has a spiky outer skin and is green or yellow in color.

How to fix jackfruit? ›

Try it pan-fried, slow-cooked, sautéed or braised. You can also enjoy it raw as a refreshing snack or blended into smoothies, yogurt bowls, dressings, salsas and slaws.

Should I soak canned jackfruit? ›

No, it's not necessary to soak jackfruit before cooking, but letting it sit for a bit in a marinade (like in this recipe) will help it to absorb some flavor.

Should you boil canned jackfruit before cooking? ›

The boiling method creates a nice stringy texture and helps to remove any tinned or metallic taste that canned jackfruit (and other canned goods) can typically have. If you've already had jackfruit and don't think you like it, I urge you to try it prepared like this before swearing it off.

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