Finger-Lickin’ Good: How to Make Vegan Chicken Wings That’ll Blow Your Mind

Are you craving those delicious, saucy wings but trying to keep things plant-based? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve been experimenting with vegan chicken wings for years, and I’m excited to share all my secrets with you. These meatless wonders are perfect for game day, parties, or just when you’re in the mood for something crispy, tender, and absolutely delicious.

Why Vegan Chicken Wings Are Totally Worth It

Before we dive into the recipes lemme tell you why vegan wings deserve a spot in your cooking rotation

• They’re cruelty-free but still deliver that satisfying texture and taste
• Perfect for both vegans and meat-eaters (seriously, my non-vegan friends gobble these up!)
• Usually healthier than traditional wings (less fat, no cholesterol)
• Customizable with whatever sauces you love
• Fun to make and even more fun to eat!

When I served these for the first time at a Super Bowl party, my friend Mike, who is the biggest meat eater I know, ate half the plate before asking what they were made of. The look on his face when I told him was priceless.

Two Amazing Vegan Wing Options: Choose Your Fighter

There are two main approaches to vegan wings, and both are incredible for different reasons. Let’s break ’em down:

Option 1: Cauliflower Wings – The Veggie Classic

Cauliflower wings have become super popular and for good reason! They’re

• Easier for beginners
• Lower in calories
• Gluten-free friendly
• Crispy outside, tender inside

Option 2: Seitan Wings – The Meaty Marvel

Seitan wings are my personal fave when I want something with a meatier bite:

• More protein-packed
• Chewy, meat-like texture
• Hold up really well to sauces
• Great for fooling carnivores

Incredible Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Let’s start with the veggie version that’s taken the vegan world by storm!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1 cup chickpea flour (makes it protein-rich!)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 cup unsweetened plant milk (soy works best, but any will do)
• 3 cups unsweetened cornflakes, crushed (the secret to crispiness!)
• Your favorite wing sauce (buffalo, BBQ, honey garlic, etc.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep your oven: Preheat to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Make your batter: Mix all dry ingredients (chickpea flour, salt, garlic powder, cumin, paprika) in a bowl. Add plant milk and whisk until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower without dripping too much.

3. Prep your coating: Crush cornflakes in a separate bowl until they resemble breadcrumbs.

4. Do two things: first, dip each cauliflower floret in the batter and shake off the extra. Then, roll each one in cornflake crumbs. Put on baking sheet, leaving some space between each piece.

5. First bake: Pop in the oven for 20 minutes until starting to get golden.

6. Sauce it up: Take it out of the oven, put it in a big bowl, and add your sauce of choice. Toss it around until it’s well covered.

7. Second bake: Return to baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes until crispy and browned.

8. Serve hot: Let cool for just a minute (they’re hot!) and serve with vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing.

“I just made this. It was absolutely delicious!! Thank you!” – Khanhnhat, from recipe comments

Mind-Blowing Seitan Vegan Wings

If you want something that tastes like meat and will really fool meat eaters, this seitan recipe is it.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups vital wheat gluten
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 (14 oz) can young jackfruit, drained and rinsed (this is the secret to juicy wings!)
• 1½ cups vegan chicken-flavored broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: sugar cane sticks, bamboo skewers, or pretzel sticks as “bones”

For Buffalo Sauce:

• ¼ cup vegan butter
• ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce
• ½ tbsp white vinegar
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

For Agave Garlic Sauce (Vegan “Honey” Garlic):

• ½ cup agave
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp red chili flakes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together vital wheat gluten, flour, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

2. Prep jackfruit: Drain and rinse jackfruit. Dry it thoroughly with a clean towel. Remove the woody core pieces and seeds – you just want the stringy, shredded parts.

3. Make the dough: Add shredded jackfruit, broth, and oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until it forms a dough that pulls away from the bowl. Use your hands to make sure everything’s mixed well (but don’t knead it too much).

4. Cut and shape: Divide the dough into small wing-sized pieces. They’ll grow when cooking, so make them smaller than you want the final wings to be.

5. Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add seitan pieces and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain.

6. Prep for baking: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the seitan is cool enough to handle, squeeze out excess water. If using “bones,” insert them into one end of each piece. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. First bake: Bake for 15 minutes.

8. Make your sauce: While wings are baking, prepare your sauce of choice in a small saucepan.

9. Sauce and final bake: Remove wings from oven, toss with sauce, and return to oven for another 10 minutes.

10. Enjoy: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

“Just did it with the ‘honey’ garlic sauce. It turned out so delicious! I took a bite to try and had to physically stop myself to not eat everything!” – Lea, from recipe comments

Air Fryer Option (For Both Recipes)

Got an air fryer? Even better! These wings come out extra crispy:

For Cauliflower Wings:

1. After coating with batter and cornflakes, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
2. Toss in sauce, then air fry for another 5-8 minutes.

For Seitan Wings:

1. After boiling, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer to a pan, sauté briefly, then mix in sauce.

Epic Sauce Ideas Beyond Buffalo

While buffalo sauce is the classic, don’t limit yourself! Here are some amazing sauces that work wonderfully:

• Korean BBQ: Sweet, spicy, and garlicky
• Maple Sriracha: Sweet heat that’s irresistible
• Lemon Pepper: Tangy and aromatic
• Jerk Seasoning: Caribbean spices for a flavor explosion
• Garlic Parmesan: Using nutritional yeast and garlic

Tips For Wing Success

After making these dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks:

1. Don’t rush the baking: That double-bake method is crucial for texture
2. Sauce generously: Vegan wings can handle lots of sauce without getting soggy
3. Serve immediately: They’re best fresh and hot
4. For cauliflower: Cut pieces larger than you think – they shrink during cooking
5. For seitan: Don’t overknead the dough or they’ll get too chewy

How To Serve Your Vegan Wings

Create a full-on wing experience with these accompaniments:

• Celery and carrot sticks (the classic!)
• Vegan ranch dressing
• Vegan blue cheese dressing
• Potato wedges or fries
• Coleslaw to balance the heat

Make-Ahead and Storage Options

Life gets busy, so here’s how to plan ahead:

• Cauliflower wings: Best made fresh, but you can prep the batter and cauliflower a day ahead
• Seitan wings: Can be made up to 4 days ahead and stored in the fridge
• Freezer-friendly: Both types freeze well! Thaw overnight and reheat in oven or air fryer

What People Are Saying

After sharing these recipes with friends and family, the feedback has been amazing:

“Even my non-vegan husband liked them!” – Carolynn

“These are so easy & delicious! This has become my go-to recipe for vegan wings.” – Brandi

Final Thoughts

Making vegan chicken wings might seem intimidating at first, but I promise it’s easier than you think! Whether you choose cauliflower for a lighter option or seitan for that meaty bite, you’re in for a treat that’ll satisfy those wing cravings without any of the guilt.

The best part? These recipes are totally customizable. Once you’ve mastered the basic techniques, you can play with different sauces, coatings, and dips to create your perfect wing experience.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and get cooking! Your taste buds (and maybe a few impressed friends) will thank you.

Have you tried making vegan wings before? What’s your favorite sauce? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your vegan wing adventures!

Vegan chicken is primarily made from plant-based protein sources like seitan (wheat gluten), soy, pea protein, or jackfruit.