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 are the benefits of jackfruit nuggets? ›

Jackfruit is rich in vitamin A, C, riboflavin, carotenoids, magnesium, potassium, and fibre. These nutrients help in digestion, skin issues, controlling blood sugar levels, inflammation, and many more.

Are jackfruit nuggets good? ›

They taste fine on their own, though a little bland. I preferred them sauced up. Always looking for good plant based meat alternatives and the flavor of these is great! My only issue is the texture is a little too moist (think the "dark meat" Mc nuggets).

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. Luckily, cooking jackfruit is simple.

How to prepare jackfruit as a meat substitute? ›

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 not to eat with jackfruit? ›

If you have eaten jackfruit then you should not consume milk and dairy products after that. Oxalate in jackfruit reacts dangerously with calcium found in dairy products to form poison in the stomach and can cause stomach upset. Not only this, it can also cause white spots on the body.

Does jackfruit burn belly fat? ›

Jackfruit contains a negligible amount of fat. The low-fat content in jackfruit is one of the reasons it can aid in weight loss. Fat is a high-calorie macronutrient, meaning every serving offers more calories. Therefore, consuming high amounts of fat can lead to weight gain as the excess calories are stored as fat.

Is jackfruit healthier than chicken? ›

Jackfruit is low calorie (about 6 times less than chicken), and has no fat or cholesterol. Where it shines in comparison to a meat-based protein is the fiber content. It is rich in fiber at 7 grams a cup. Meat proteins do not provide any fiber.

What kind of meat does jackfruit taste like? ›

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 jamaicans eat jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is very versatile and can be eaten raw or cooked. The most commonly consumed part of the fruit is the flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat.

Can I drink water after eating jackfruit? ›

No, drinking water after eating jackfruit may lead to diarrhoea.

Can you eat jackfruit straight from the can? ›

Again, the canned jackfruit is perfectly safe to eat straight out of the can, but it tends to taste best warm and with seasoning. If you're craving the fruit in a meal, try making our pulled jackfruit tacos recipe that features the perfect flavor balance of garlic and minced serrano chiles.

What are five ways to eat a 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. Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world!

Do you brine or water canned jackfruit? ›

For savory dishes, you'll want to make sure you purchase young green jackfruit in brine, rather than the fully ripened yellow jackfruit that often comes packed in syrup. The flavor and texture between the two is very different, so make sure you're working with the unripe green variety.

Why do vegans eat jackfruit? ›

Vegans and vegetarians often use this fruit as a meat substitute due to its texture, which is comparable to shredded meat. Since jackfruit is able to withstand tropical climates, it can be a major source of calories and carbs for people in developing countries who are at risk of starvation ( 1 , 2 ).

What does jackfruit do to your body? ›

Research shows that eating jackfruit can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. “The combination of potassium, fiber and antioxidants can benefit heart health,” Culbertson says. Potassium combats the negative effects of sodium on your blood pressure, while fiber contributes to lowering your cholesterol levels.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit leaves and roots contain chemicals that might help control blood sugar increases after eating. Its fruit is a source of vitamin A, fiber, and protein. People use jackfruit for diabetes, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Is jackfruit a superfood? ›

Jackfruit is as sweet as it is nutritious, and given all of its potential health benefits, it's not surprising that many consider jackfruit a superfood. Jackfruit contains a wide assortment of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and folic acid, as well as fiber and protein.

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