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

How to make jackfruit taste good? ›

Garlic and onion powder — Combined with the barbecue sauce, these make the jackfruit taste super flavorful and extra savory. Feel free to substitute in a few cloves of fresh garlic for the powder. Paprika — Adds a nice peppery flavor without too much heat.

Do I need to cook 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.

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.

How long to cook jackfruit? ›

Leave to simmer gently, covered, for 30 mins stirring every 5-10 mins to help break down the jackfruit, then take the lid off and cook a further 10 minutes. Once cooked, use a fork to make sure all of the jackfruit is well shredded. Check seasoning and add another tbsp of bbq sauce if necessary for extra stickiness.

What not to mix with jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit and milk are considered a harmful combination, according to Ayurveda. For centuries, the combination of jackfruit and any dairy product has been forbidden and is said to cause indigestion and skin diseases.

Do you need to boil jackfruit before cooking? ›

However, before cooking with it in a recipe, you may like to boil the fresh unripe jackfruit for around 45 minutes to ensure it becomes tender in the final dish. If the recipe has a long cook time, like this jackfruit rendang, you can skip this step.

Should I rinse canned jackfruit? ›

However, because the Heart Foundation warns people about the sodium content of canned foods, it's best that you rinse canned vegetables, including your jackfruit, prior to cooking them. Not only will your heart thank you, but whatever seasonings you add won't be competing with the salt of the brine.

Is canned jackfruit healthy? ›

The Bottom Line. Jackfruit is very good for you for many reasons. It is high in nutrients and antioxidants and may have a number of health benefits, including improved blood sugar control. You can easily incorporate jackfruit into your diet by eating it plain or in various dishes.

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.

Are jackfruit nuggets good? ›

These have a texture and firmness like a real chicken nugget, they're crispy and not dry when heated in the oven. They have two main flavors, there's a faint breath of something fruity as you take a bite, and then a bean-like aftertaste. They taste fine on their own, though a little bland. I preferred them sauced up.

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.

Does cooked jackfruit taste like meat? ›

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.

Does jackfruit taste like meat when cooked? ›

Before you take a bite, it's helpful to know what to expect. 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.

How do 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).

Should you drink water after eating jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit can also be harmful if you eat it with milk or carbonated drinks. It may cause digestion and skin issues. You should avoid drinking water after the consumption of jackfruit as it can lead to diarrhoea. Jackfruit is a high water content fruit that smoothes out bowel movements.

How do you make jackfruit taste meaty? ›

You can flavour the jackfruit with the same spices and flavours you would use for meats, and it has that great meaty texture. Can you use yellow jackfruit as meat? No, if you want to use jackfruit in place of meat, you should only buy green or unripe jackfruit. You'll usually find it in cans in brine.

Does canned jackfruit taste good? ›

Canned jackfruit that has been packed in brine may actually taste salty, and that's usually why it's recommended to rinse this kind in water to dial down the sodium content before cooking with it. The canned jackfruit is also often described as having a meaty taste and texture.

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