Ever wondered what those “vegan wings” on restaurant menus actually are? Or maybe you’re curious about making some plant-based wings at home that’ll satisfy those cravey cravings without harming our feathered friends? Well, you’re in the right place!
I’ve been experimenting with vegan wings for years now, and lemme tell you – they’ve come a LONG way from the sad, floppy alternatives of the past. Today’s vegan chicken wings are mind-blowingly delicious, and most meat-eaters can’t even tell the difference (especially after a couple beers, lol).
What Exactly IS a Vegan Chicken Wing?
A vegan chicken wing is a plant-based alternative designed to mimic the taste, texture, and overall experience of traditional chicken wings – without using any animal products whatsoever. These wings come in all shapes and sizes, using creative ingredients to replicate that meaty, pull-apart texture we all love
Best of all, no chickens were hurt in the making of these tasty alternatives. They’re great for parties, game day, or just when you want something saucy and filling.
The Building Blocks: What Are Vegan Wings Made From?
A surprising number of plant-based foods can be used to make vegan wings. Here are the most common ones.
Seitan (Vital Wheat Gluten)
Seitan is probably the most popular base for vegan wings. Made from vital wheat gluten, it has an amazingly chewy, meaty texture that’s perfect for replicating chicken It’s super high in protein but definitely not suitable for folks with gluten allergies or sensitivities.
Tofu
Good ol’ tofu makes a great wing base when pressed, seasoned, and prepared correctly. Different varieties from silken to extra-firm offer various textures, and tofu is excellent at soaking up whatever flavorful sauces you throw at it.
Jackfruit
This tropical miracle fruit has a stringy, pull-apart texture when unripe that mimics shredded meat incredibly well. When combined with other ingredients like vital wheat gluten (as in the My Quiet Kitchen recipe), it creates an incredibly realistic wing texture.
Soy Protein (TVP)
Textured Vegetable Protein becomes spongy when rehydrated and readily absorbs flavors, making it another excellent option for vegan wings.
Cauliflower
Even though they are more of a “wing-inspired” dish than a real meat substitute, cauliflower wings are a huge hit. They are often dipped in batter, baked or fried, and then covered in sauce, just like regular wings.
Mushrooms
Some types of mushrooms, like king oyster mushrooms, have a meaty, fibrous texture that makes them great for wing bases.
Creating the Perfect Texture
What makes vegan wings truly special is how they replicate that distinctive chicken wing texture. The best vegan wings offer:
- A chewy, meaty interior
- A crispy exterior (sometimes achieved through breading or battering)
- A pull-apart, stringy quality similar to real chicken
- The ability to hold sauce without getting soggy
Many of the best recipes (like the one from My Quiet Kitchen) combine multiple ingredients – like jackfruit for stringiness and vital wheat gluten for chewiness – to create the ultimate texture.
The Sauce is Boss: Flavoring Your Vegan Wings
Let’s be honest – half the fun of wings is the sauce! Here are some classic wing sauces that work beautifully on vegan wings:
- Buffalo Sauce: The classic tangy, spicy blend typically made with hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot) and vegan butter
- BBQ Sauce: Sweet, smoky, and tangy – a crowd-pleaser
- Teriyaki: Savory and slightly sweet Asian-inspired sauce
- Garlic Parmesan: Usually made with nutritional yeast instead of parmesan
- Lemon Pepper: Zesty and bright
- Sticky Orange: Sweet and citrusy
- Korean BBQ: Sweet, spicy and savory
- Nashville Hot: Intensely spicy and flavorful
Pro tip: For the most authentic buffalo wing experience, Frank’s Red Hot sauce mixed with vegan butter (like Miyoko’s) creates that classic wing flavor that’ll transport you straight to your favorite sports bar!
Why Are Vegan Wings So Popular?
Vegan wings have exploded in popularity for several reasons:
- Ethical considerations: Many people are concerned about animal welfare and factory farming
- Environmental impact: Plant-based foods typically have a much smaller carbon footprint
- Health benefits: Depending on preparation, vegan wings can be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Taste factor: Modern vegan wings are honestly delicious in their own right
- Curiosity: Even meat-eaters are often willing to try these innovative alternatives
Making Your Own Vegan Wings at Home
Feeling inspired to try making your own vegan wings? I’ve got you covered! Here’s a simplified approach based on several successful recipes:
Simple Seitan & Jackfruit Wings
(Inspired by My Quiet Kitchen’s recipe)
Ingredients:
- 1 can young jackfruit in brine (not syrup!)
- 7 oz firm tofu, drained (but not pressed)
- 1 tbsp vinegar (white wine or apple cider)
- ½ tsp liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
- ½ cup water
- 1 ¼ cups vital wheat gluten
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp each: onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- For buffalo sauce: vegan butter and Frank’s Red Hot
Basic Process:
- Drain, rinse and shred the jackfruit, removing any tough parts
- Blend tofu with wet ingredients until smooth
- Mix dry ingredients, add jackfruit and toss
- Add wet mixture to form a dough
- Shape into wing-like pieces
- Steam for 30 minutes
- Sear in a hot skillet until golden
- Toss in your favorite wing sauce
Buying Pre-Made Vegan Wings
Not up for making your own? No worries! There are tons of great store-bought options now:
- Gardein: Their Seven Grain Crispy Tenders make great wings when sauced
- Morningstar Farms: Buffalo Wings (vegan version)
- Field Roast: Their Fruffalo Wings are outstanding
- 365 by Whole Foods: Plant-Based Buffalo Style Wings
- Boca: Chik’n Wings
You can also find amazing vegan wings at many restaurants these days – even some traditional wing joints like Buffalo Wild Wings now offer plant-based options!
FAQs About Vegan Chicken Wings
Are vegan chicken wings healthier than regular wings?
It depends on the ingredients and preparation. Many vegan wings are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, but they can still be high in sodium, especially with sauces. Baked versions will be healthier than fried ones, regardless of whether they’re plant-based or not.
Do vegan wings taste like real chicken wings?
Many come remarkably close, especially when sauced up! The goal isn’t necessarily an exact replica but rather a satisfying, delicious experience that hits those same flavor and texture notes.
Are all vegan wings gluten-free?
Nope! Seitan-based wings contain gluten by definition. Look for cauliflower, tofu, or other gluten-free options if you have a sensitivity.
How do I make my vegan wings extra crispy?
For maximum crispiness:
- If using tofu, press it very thoroughly first
- Double-batter for extra crunch
- Use high heat when cooking
- Try air-frying for a healthier crisp
- Don’t sauce them until right before serving
What are good dipping sauces for vegan wings?
All the classics work great! Vegan ranch, vegan blue cheese, BBQ sauce, honey mustard (made with agave), sriracha mayo, and plain vegan mayo are all excellent choices.
My Final Thoughts on Vegan Wings
As someone who’s tried pretty much every vegan wing under the sun, I can honestly say they’re one of the most successful plant-based alternatives out there. The combination of the right texture, amazing sauces, and that fun, hand-held eating experience makes them a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.
Whether you’re vegan, veggie-curious, or just looking to cut back on meat consumption, vegan wings are definitely worth a try. They’re better for animals, better for the planet, and with recipes like the ones from My Quiet Kitchen, they’re also ridiculously delicious!
So next time you’re planning a game day spread or just craving something saucy and satisfying, why not give vegan wings a shot? Your taste buds (and some chickens somewhere) will thank you!
The best vegan and vegetarian wings in Buffalo: Eight different and delicious options that taste like chicken wings without actually being chicken
Growing up, I was the kid who was allergic to everything, and chicken was one of those things. In Buffalo, we are famous for the very thing that I couldn’t have. So, I soon discovered alternatives: frozen soy chicken tenders and cauliflower wings bathed in Frank’s Red Hot sauce. These options were all I thought I had until now. I spent a month exploring the under-the-radar, unchicken chicken wings at restaurants and a kitchen-made offering at a grocery store, the Lexington Co-op.
My discoveries: Buffalo offers a fantastic range of vegetarian and vegan “chicken” “wings. ” They’re hot, spicy, and unexpected. I couldn’t believe how many options and flavors there were! Two of the wings I found even had “bones” made from sugar cane and wood sticks.
Seven unique Buffalo wing styles with soy, cauliflower, tofu, polenta, eggplant and seitan. At least, that’s what I’ve found so far. I expect there’s still more waiting to be discovered.
Finally, I, the person who is allergic to chicken, got to try what is a great take on the famous food from my hometown. I feel like I’ve reached a place that used to feel out of reach. I now feel like a full-fledged member of something I’ll call Buffalo’s “Chicken Wing Tasting Club. ”.
Wings made from things other than chicken are delicious and have a unique flavor and texture. I didn’t know what to expect while starting this journey, but I am more than pleased with where I ended. If you don’t eat meat or are just curious to try unchicken chicken wings, this is the list for you.
The following options are organized geographically and alphabetically:
370 Virginia St. , Buffalo, NY Tuesday – Friday 8 a. m. – 3 p. m. , Saturday 9 a. m. – 3 p. m. , Sunday 9 a. m. – 2 p. m.
Consider wings for brunch! In Allentown, a neighborhood near Elmwood Village, this restaurant serves plates of six ball-shaped seitan wings for $13 in four flavors: hot sauce, BBQ, sweet chili, and Korean BBQ. For those who have never tried it, seitan is a protein-rich meat substitute made from wheat gluten. The texture of the wings caught me off guard. They were firm and chewy. The sauce stayed on well. I got a lot of the sweet chili taste, a perfect mix of sweet and sour. The menu has lots of vegan options. Not to be missed: The seitan “Beefless Weck” actually tastes like beef. It’s delicious with horseradish.
62 Allen St., Buffalo, NY Open everyday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Café 59 is on Allen Street, in the artsy Allentown neighborhood and near galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. Here, a $12. 65 pile of rectangular polenta wings comes with a blue cheese sauce. Polenta, which I was trying for the first time, is a kind of cornmeal. The “wings” are fried in canola oil, making for a good contrast between the crispy outside and soft inside. The hot sauce tasted like it was part of the crust. The eight flavor options range from the traditional mild, medium, and hot to bourbon and honey mustard. The eclectic menu includes a tempting-sounding portobello sandwich with greens and balsamic vinaigrette. The bar by a bank of windows is great for people watching and having a drink with your wings.
807 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY & 1678 Hertel Ave., Buffalo 14216 Open everyday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Yes, this is a grocery store, but they also have a kitchen that prepares food to go. Their Buffalo square tofu bites are priced by the pound at $7. 99 and sold in big plastic cups. The one I bought held $3. 76 worth. It came with a side of vegan blue cheese in a small cup. Small cubes of fried tofu that taste and feel almost like meat are tasty when covered in a medium-hot Buffalo sauce. It’s hot enough but not too hot, so it’s easy to eat. Try some while sitting at a patio table. The Hertel Avenue store in North Buffalo has a similar setup but is more spacious, with seating indoors and outdoors. Or, do what I did and take them home. Heat in the air fryer at 200 degrees for 10 minutes. A regular oven works, too. They’re delicious warm!.
295 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
This entirely vegan restaurant has five soy wing flavors: Buffalo, sweet and spicy, hot “hunny,” BBQ, and garlic “Parm.” They all come with vegan blue cheese except for the sweet and spicy one that has a chipotle aioli. This place was one of my favorites! The wings come with a stick inside that acts like a “bone” you can hold while eating. Each $15 order comes with four. These “wings” are mighty big. They will fill you up fast. I couldn’t resist sampling more from the menu. The $16 BBQ fried chicken sandwich was excellent, messy, and tangy with cold, sweet pickles inside.
893 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo, NY Tuesday and Monday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This vegan menu was one of the most wide-ranging. Consider steak, ribs, fish, and fried chicken. Their $13 Buffalo wings come in orders of eight, are soy-based, and have a sugar cane “bone” to hold. These wings were the best at imitating the shape and size of real wings with a skin-like exterior and a soft inside. A basket of medium wings had just the right amount of heat. Good dipped in the herby ranch dressing it came with. The side dishes were also tasty—from the creamy, lightly spiced mac and cheese to a sweet, moist cornbread. Their shady patio makes it an especially inviting stop on a hot day.
500 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY Monday – Thursday 4 – 11 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., Saturday 1 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Vice has the same menu and same owner as suburban Williamsville’s Neat. Their plate of $14 wood-fired cauliflower comes sprinkled with real blue cheese crumbles and sauce that is either classic hot Buffalo or sweet and spicy. For those who like to dip, blue cheese dressing comes on the side. The cauliflower has a good crunch while still being soft enough to eat with a fork. But be warned, it can get messy. For a main course, try their juicy Beyond burger. Served with the works—cheese, lettuce, and tomato–it was the best plant-based burger I have ever had!