Who loves jackfruit?! Personally, it’s my favorite plant-based meat substitute because it’s got the perfect texture AND it’s an actual fruit!
Back in the day, my family would have to drive to the other side of town to bring home an entire jackfruit from the local Asian supermarket but today, you can find canned jackfruit at most grocery stores. I always stock up on this stuff so I can use it to make things like Buffalo Jackfruit Pizza and BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches.
But today, I’m sharing my all-time favorite jackfruit recipe: Kentucky Friend Jackfruit “Wings” (adapted from So Vegan). If you’re craving crispy, tender chick’n, make this!
Yield: 4
Vegan Kentucky Fried Jackfruit Wings
Prep time: 15 MCook time: 15 MTotal time: 30 M
Ingredients:
- 1 15 oz can green jackfruit in brine
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
- 1/3 cup + 3 tbsp flour, divided
- 3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- salt, to taste
- about 1/2 cup canola oil, for frying
- optional: 1/4 cup barbecue or buffalo sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven / air-fryer to 400 degrees.
- Drain and rinse your jackfruit, then cut off the cores and remove the seeds. Cut the jackfruit into wing-sized pieces.
- Once cut, add the jackfruit to a bowl along with cayenne, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss to coat.
- If you are using an oven, place the coated jackfruit pieces on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 10 - 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. If you are using the air-fryer method, place jackfruit pieces directly in the basket and air-fry for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the batter. Combine 1/3 cup flour, plant milk, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. You can adjust the consistency by adding flour (to make thicker) or water (to thin out).
- In a separate plate, add 3 tbsp of flour.
- Add enough oil to a frying pan so that it’s about 1/2 inch deep. Heat to about medium heat. You’ll know it’s ready when a test-sized drop of batter sizzles instantly.
- Once the jackfruit is ready, dunk each piece into the batter, then roll in extra flour, and carefully place it in the oil. Fry for about 30 seconds on each side.
- Use a clean paper towel to absorb any excess oil from the fried jackfruit.
- If you’re using a wing sauce like buffalo or barbecue, coat the fried pieces in sauce as a final step and serve with your favorite dips! Here I’ve got some homemade vegan ranch and agave mustard.