Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by gathering all your ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, arrowroot powder, salt, cayenne pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and nutritional yeast until well combined. This blend sets the stage for that crunchy coating.
- In another bowl, combine the hot sauce, non-dairy milk, and Dijon mustard. Whisk these together until you have a smooth mixture. This will serve as the wet batter that helps the dry ingredients stick.
- Next, heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or fryer over medium heat. You want it to reach around 350°F for the best frying results. Use a thermometer to check the temperature—a key step to perfect frying!
- While the oil heats up, prepare your cauliflower. Cut it into large florets if you haven't already. Using one hand, dip a floret into the wet mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Using your dry hand, transfer it to the flour mixture, turning it to coat completely. This two-hand method helps keep things neat.
- Repeat the dredging process for all the florets, placing the coated pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. This allows them to rest while the oil heats.
- Once the oil is ready, carefully add the florets. Do this in batches to avoid overcrowding, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Fry the cauliflower for about 4 to 5 minutes, gently turning them with a slotted spoon or spider until they become golden and crispy.
- After frying each batch, transfer the fried florets to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps absorb any excess oil, keeping them crispy.
- Let the oil return to 350°F before frying the next batch. Repeat the frying process until all the cauliflower has been cooked. Each piece should be golden brown and crispy.
- Serve your Vegan Fried Chicken hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy the crunch and all those amazing flavors!
Notes
Leftover vegan chicken tenders should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
You can freeze leftovers, though they may lose some crunch during the freezing and thawing process. Lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
For the best results, reheat your vegan chicken in an air fryer preheated to 375°F for about 3 to 6 minutes or in an oven preheated to 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes until warmed through.
Use one hand for the wet mixture and the other for the dry to keep things tidy while dredging.