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!
I remember the first time I served these at a Super Bowl party – my buddy Mike (biggest carnivore I know) ate half the plate before asking what they were made of, His face when I told him? 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:
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Prep your oven: Preheat to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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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.
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Prep your coating: Crush cornflakes in a separate bowl until they resemble breadcrumbs.
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Dip and coat: Take each cauliflower floret, dip it in the batter (shake off excess), then roll in cornflake crumbs. Place on baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between pieces.
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First bake: Pop in the oven for 20 minutes until starting to get golden.
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Sauce it up: Remove from oven, transfer to a large bowl, and toss with your sauce of choice until well coated.
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Second bake: Return to baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes until crispy and browned.
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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’re looking for that meaty texture that’ll really fool the carnivores, this seitan recipe is your new best friend.
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:
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Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together vital wheat gluten, flour, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add seitan pieces and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain.
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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.
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First bake: Bake for 15 minutes.
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Make your sauce: While wings are baking, prepare your sauce of choice in a small saucepan.
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Sauce and final bake: Remove wings from oven, toss with sauce, and return to oven for another 10 minutes.
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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:
- After coating with batter and cornflakes, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Toss in sauce, then air fry for another 5-8 minutes.
For Seitan Wings:
- After boiling, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- 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:
- Don’t rush the baking: That double-bake method is crucial for texture
- Sauce generously: Vegan wings can handle lots of sauce without getting soggy
- Serve immediately: They’re best fresh and hot
- For cauliflower: Cut pieces larger than you think – they shrink during cooking
- 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!
Wraps, Pitas, and Tacos:
I also love eating them in wraps or pitas with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado. Top it off with a vegan yogurt sauce made of unsweetened yogurt and herbs.
Or serve them in tacos. Check out my recipe for vegan cauliflower tacos. It’s so yummy and super popular on Pinterest!
If you’re looking for a spicier version of cauliflower wings, check out my cauliflower buffalo wings with ranch dip. They’re made with Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings sauce.
Looking for Gluten-Free Cauliflower Wings?
Instead of all-purpose flour I like to use chickpea flour for gluten-free cauliflower buffalo wings. This works really well!
Besides, you have to omit the panko breadcrumbs and use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead or just leave them out all together.
I must admit that I like the version with panko breadcrumbs much better, but the cauliflower wings without flour are still extremely delicious! And this way you can also make them low carb.
2 Ingredient Vegan HOT WING RECIPE that you’ll not regret!!
FAQ
What are vegan chicken wings made of?
Vegan chicken wings are made from a variety of plant-based ingredients designed to mimic the texture and flavor of traditional chicken wings. Common ingredients include seitan (made from vital wheat gluten), tofu, cauliflower, and jackfruit.
What is vegan chicken made out of?
Vegan chicken is primarily made from plant-based protein sources like seitan (wheat gluten), soy, pea protein, or jackfruit.
What do they use for bone-in vegan wings?
Sugar cane sticks – These are the “bones” that will stick out of the vegan wings. Instead of sugar cane, use bamboo chopsticks or skewers, pretzel sticks, or thin bread sticks. You can prevent the alternatives from burning in the oven by wrapping them with a small piece of tinfoil. Or keep them “boneless”.
Are vegan wings healthy?
What are vegan ‘chicken’ wings?
Homemade vegan “chicken” wings are saucy, meaty, tender, and easy enough to make anytime! There’s no batter, breading, or deep frying to fuss with – just amazing seitan wings paired with a classic vegan buffalo sauce. And best of all, no chickens harmed in the process!
How do you make vegan chicken wings?
Place 3/4 cup hot sauce, 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) vegan butter, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking together once the butter is melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat. For the crispest wings, brush them all over with the sauce.
Do vegan chicken wings taste good?
Coming at you in two flavours: sticky garlic, and buffalo (or you could do all one flavour if you prefer). These Vegan Chicken Wings taste so good and make for a mighty fine feast for Superbowl Sunday, game night, pub night, or just about any night you want to dive into some classic party food deliciousness.
Can you make vegan Buffalo wings?
Here are a few notes on the key ingredients you’ll need to make vegan buffalo wings. vital wheat gluten – before you ask if these wings can be made gluten-free, since this is a seitan recipe gluten is a necessary ingredient. I use Anthony’s brand vital wheat gluten. jackfruit – look for canned young jackfruit in brine NOT syrup.
What is the meatiest vegan wing?
The meatiest homemade Vegan Wings made from seitan, jackfruit, and simple seasonings. Douse them in agave garlic sauce or buffalo sauce and dig in! These deliciously tender and juicy Vegan Wings are full of flavor and have a meaty texture. They’re easy to make too, so bring them to your next backyard barbecue!
What are vegan wings made out of?
White wine vinegar, maple syrup, and soy sauce (or tamari) round out the buffalo sauce ingredients. They add a touch of sweetness, a hint of tang, and a depth of flavor that takes the sauce to the next level. Corn flakes are the secret to the crispy texture of these vegan wings.