Spicy Fried “Chicken” and Waffles

Serving Size 4

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

Fried “Chicken”

  • 1 package Nasoya Extra Firm Tofu, frozen and then thawed
  • Enough vegetable oil for frying, about 1 inch high in pan
  • Crushed red pepper for garnish

Buttermilk Mixture

  • 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup cayenne pepper sauce

Breading Mixture

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 3 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt

 

Savory Waffles:

  • 12 ounces silken tofu (2 cups crumbled)
  • 1/2cup water
  • 1/4cup melted and cooled coconut oil, plus more for the waffle iron
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup shredded vegan cheddar
  • 4 to 5 dashes hot sauce
  • 2 to 3 scallions, chopped, whites and greens separated

 

Sriracha Maple Syrup:

  • 1/4 cup Sriracha sauce
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Fried Chicken Inspired by: I Can You Can Vegan
Waffles Inspired by: Food 52’s Hannah Kirshner & Food Network’s Amanda Freitag

Preparation

  1. Fried “Chicken":
  2. Begin by draining the tofu to remove as much moisture from the block as possible. Place in freezer for at least an hour. Remove from freezer and let thaw. This will give the tofu a meatier texture.
  3. While the tofu is thawing, begin preparing the buttermilk mixture and breading mixture in two separate bowls
  4. Once the tofu is finished draining, shred it into med/large chunks by hand. Place the chunks in the buttermilk mixture. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  5. Begin heating the frying oil on the stove over medium heat. To test if it's hot, sprinkle a tiny bit of water in the pan. If it sizzles, it’s good to go!
  6. Once the oil is hot, dip each piece of tofu in the buttermilk, then into the breading mixture, then into the buttermilk again, and into the breading mixture for a second time. Next, transfer to the hot oil. Repeat this process for each piece of tofu, or as many as you can fit in the pan at once. Rotate the pieces as necessary, browning on each side.
  7. Transfer the fried tofu from the grease to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Once all pieces have finished cooking, garnish with red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
  8. Waffles:
  9. Preheat your waffle iron.
  10. In a blender or food processor, puree the tofu, water, hot sauce, and lemon juice. Slowly drizzle in the coconut oil with the blender/food processor running.
  11. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  12. Add the tofu mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until all the flour is moistened. Fold in cheddar and scallions. Lumps are okay.
  13. Brush the waffle iron with a little more melted coconut oil (or spray it with pan spray). Cook the batter in the waffle iron: fill it about 2/3 full and cook until the steam significantly subsides, and the waffle is golden and crispy.
  14. Top with fried chicken and drizzle of sriracha maple syrup.

Share this Recipe