Buffalo Wing Jackfruit Nuggets Recipe (2024)

Plant Based Diet Recipes

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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

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.

Can you eat the stringy part of jackfruit? ›

I purchased a whole, 20-pound jackfruit for $30 and it yielded nearly 8 pounds of ready-to-eat arils — the fruity pods that you can eat as is — plus tendrils, the fibers for simmering into vegan “pulled pork.” Edible seeds can be roasted or boiled and the result is reminiscent of chestnuts.

What are jackfruit wings? ›

Handmade, unprocessed braised jackfruit is double-dipped in a panko crumb and fried to create the ultimate meat-like texture. Made into wings with their totally original sugarcane 'bone'. These wings are great with dipping sauces or next to your favourite side dish.

Why is jackfruit so expensive? ›

The price of jackfruit is largely influenced by transportation costs, a factor particularly relevant due to the large and heavy nature of the fruit. For instance, jackfruit transportation expenses are dependent on several variables such as fuel prices, distance traveled, and mode of shipment.

Does jackfruit actually taste like pork? ›

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.

When not to eat jackfruit? ›

Avoid eating jackfruits if you have latex or birch pollen allergies. These allergies can have cross-reactions with Jackfruit. The high potassium content of Jackfruit can be harmful to people suffering from chronic kidney diseases or acute kidney failure.

Why can't I digest jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit contains a substance called fructans, a carbohydrate type that can cause gas and bloat in some people. Additionally, jackfruit seeds contain lectins, which are proteins that can bind to carbohydrates and cause intestinal discomfort.

What to avoid when eating jackfruit? ›

Milk or other dairy products should not be taken with jackfruit. In fact, jackfruit contains oxalate which reacts with calcium present in dairy products. In addition to upset stomach, it can cause white spots on the skin, itching, eczema. What are the nutritional and common health benefits of eating jackfruit?

Do I need to rinse canned jackfruit? ›

Tinned jackfruit is easy to prepare, but must be rinsed, shredded, boiled and rinsed again. Jackfruit is a blank canvas for various spices. You can cook jackfruit in most of the ways you can cook meat.

Do you drain canned jackfruit? ›

Step 1: Rinse and Drain the Jackfruit

Drain the jackfruit and pour it into a fine-mesh sieve. Rinse it thoroughly to remove as much flavor of the brine as possible.

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.

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.

What nationality eats jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. Both ripe and unripe fruits are consumed.

Does cooked jackfruit taste like meat? ›

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Ripe yellow jackfruit has a subtly sweet flavor, often described as a combination of banana, apple, and mango. Young green jackfruit, on the other hand, has a neutral flavor and texture similar to shredded meat, making it a popular meat substitute in savory dishes.

What does jackfruit taste similar to? ›

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Ripe yellow jackfruit has a subtly sweet flavor, often described as a combination of banana, apple, and mango. Young green jackfruit, on the other hand, has a neutral flavor and texture similar to shredded meat, making it a popular meat substitute in savory dishes.

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!

What does jackfruit chicken taste like? ›

What does jackfruit meat taste like? The flesh of young, unripe jackfruit used in savory applications has a neutral (as in, not fruity) flavor that absorbs marinades and spices well. It has a meaty, firm texture that pulls apart into strings that are reminiscent of pulled pork.

What meat does jackfruit taste like? ›

Compared to ripe jackfruit, unripe jackfruit has a stringy, meaty texture similar to that of beef or pork. This texture—along with the fruit's neutral, almost bland taste, which can accommodate the flavor of whatever it's cooked in—is a large reason why jackfruit is such a popular meat alternative.

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