The Edgy Veg

Vegan Chicken Drumsticks

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe

Vegan DrumsticksI’m SO excited to finally show you my vegan chicken drumsticks recipe. It’s so tasty and truly is a faux chicken drumstick to trick your friends & family!

You’ve probably seen many medieval movies or Game of Thrones episodes where they eat the stereotypical drumsticks at dinner and I figured I would challenge myself to make my own vegan drumstick! This recipe might seem a little tricky to a beginner cook, but don’t be scared!

I’ve created easy-to-follow instructions! You can also watch me on YouTube show you how to make it!

Give it a shot because you will surprise yourself and people you choose to eat it with. My non-vegan friends were shocked by how much this looked like “the real thing”.

People will be so shocked by how good this vegan chicken replacement is, that they’ll have a “bone” to pick with you for not cooking it earlier. Sorry, couldn’t resist that pun.

Vegan drumstick with boneRelated Recipe: Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets – Vegan Version

Hey I’m Candice & welcome to The Edgy Veg! I veganize popular food recipes for vegans, plant-based diets, eco-conscious eaters & people who are trying to eat more plants… instead of y’know animals or animals products. Hope you enjoy my tasty recipes!

How To Make: Vegan Chicken Drumsticks

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WHERE TO BEGIN:

If you want to view or print the recipe card, just scroll down for the full list of ingredients & simple instructions on how to make these Vegan Chicken Drumsticks.

Typically, vegan chicken swaps are made of tofu, seitan, cauliflower, or jackfruit. This recipe uses all of my best vegan chicken hacks at once to create the ultimate vegan chicken drumsticks recipe

You can enjoy this recipe with family, use for meal prep, or freeze for future use! I’ve given you two sauce options for this recipe (one for my gluten-free friends!), whether you like your drumsticks saucy or breaded. I’ve given you the best of both worlds! Leave a comment below if you prefer saucy or breaded 🙂

Vegan Chicken from The Edgy Veg

Some of the most common recipes that people look for are tasty vegan swaps for chicken products. I’ve done lots on this blog, as well as on my YouTube Channel. From my Google #1 Ranked Vegan Chicken Wings, to the fan favorite Vegan KFC Fried Chicken or Vegan Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

For the Vegan Drumsticks:

For Saucy Drumsticks:

For Breaded Drumsticks:

How To Make Vegan Chicken DrumsticksINSTRUCTIONS FOR VEGAN CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

  1. To start making the vegan chicken, in a medium-size pot, whisk together no-chicken broth, nutritional yeast, poultry seasoning, onion powder, and liquid smoke.
  2. Add jackfruit, and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly.
  3. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for another 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Remove the pot from heat and set aside.
  5. In a small blender or bowl with a whisk, whip together mung bean starch and silken tofu.
  6. Add water 1 tsp at a time as needed (only if you feel that it is too dry).
  7. Add to the jackfruit mixture 1 tbsp at a time and mix until it starts to come together.
  8. Fill a shallow bowl with warm water and soften the rice paper by soaking each sheet for about 30 seconds. Remove the rice paper from the bowl and place the rice paper on a flat surface and using a sharp knife, cut in half.
  9. Place 2-3 tbsp of the jackfruit mixture onto the rice paper, then if you’re using a faux “bone”, place one ‘bone’ on top. For mine, I prefer to use small bamboo sticks. You can also use sugar cane swizzle sticks, cauliflower stems, or have boneless wings.
  10. Cover the faux “bone” with jackfruit and wrap the rice paper around the jackfruit mixture, leaving the bone exposed (exactly like a chicken wing). Set aside and repeat.

TIP: Make larger bundles if you are mimicking fried “chicken” instead.

NOTE: If you are using cauliflower for ‘bones’: Take your cauliflower and cut off all leaves as close to the stem as you can, whilst making sure to not cut off any of the stem. Cut the whole cauliflower into quarters, slicing from the stem to the florets of the cauliflower – you want to keep the stem attached to the florets as this is what will make your ‘bone’ and also hold onto the mixture of the jackfruit. Cut off the majority of the florets of each cauliflower quarter, so that you get the basic shape of a drumstick. See images for a guide as to how this should look before moving on to the next step.

Vegan Chicken DrumsticksIf you want Saucy Drumsticks (GLUTEN-FREE OPTION)

Whisk together the barbecue and hot sauces in a bowl. Add more of either or both sauces if you’d like your wings extra saucy. Coat each wing in the sauce and cook according to your preferred cooking method.

Air Fryer: Place wings into the air fryer basket and cook at 375F for roughly 10 mins.

OR

Oven: Place wings on a lined baking sheet and broil for 8-12 minutes, turning every 2 minutes until they are lightly charred on all sides.

Toss wings in more sauce and serve.

Vegan Drumstick RecipeIf you want Breaded Drumsticks

Heat a pot of vegetable oil, filled less than halfway to the top, to 350F.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together aquafaba and hot sauce. In another bowl, combine flour, cajun spice, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, onion powder, and sea salt. Dredge each wing in the flour mixture, then the aquafaba mixture, back into the flour mixture, then into the hot oil.

Fry until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes. Then place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any access oil.

Recipe for Vegan Chicken Drumsticks

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Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks
 
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Get ready to devour these delicious vegan chicken drumsticks! This recipe will shock your non-vegan friends and show them vegan food tastes delicious.
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Wings:
For Saucy Wings:
For Breaded Wings:
Instructions
  1. In a medium size pot, whisk together no-chicken broth, nutritional yeast, poultry seasoning, onion powder and liquid smoke.
  2. Add jackfruit, and bring to a boil. Stirring stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 mins.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for another 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
  4. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. In a small blender or bowl with a whisk, whip together mung bean starch and silken tofu. Add water 1 tsp at a time as needed (if any). Add to the jackfruit mixture 1 tbsp at a time and mix until it starts to come together.
  6. Fill a shallow bowl with warm water and soften the rice paper by soaking each sheet for about 30 seconds.
  7. Remove from the bowl and place the rice paper on a flat surface and using a sharp knife, cut in half.
  8. Place 2-3 tbsp of the jackfruit mixture onto the rice paper, then if you’re using a “bone”, place one 'bones' on top.
  9. If you are using a cauliflower: Take your cauliflower and cut off all leaves as close to the stem as you can, whilst making sure to not cut off any of the stems. Cut the whole cauliflower into quarters, slicing from the stem to the florets of the cauliflower - you want to keep the stem attached to the florets as this is what will make your 'bone' and also hold onto the flesh of the jackfruit. Cut off the majority of the florets of each cauliflower quarter, so that you get the basic shape of a drumstick. See images for a guide as to how this should look before moving on to the next step.
  10. Cover the bone with jackfruit and wrap the rice paper around the jackfruit flesh, leaving the bone exposed (exactly like a chicken wing). Set aside and repeat.
  11. NOTE: Make larger bundles if mimicking fried chicken.
Option 1: Saucy Wings
  1. Whisk barbecue and hot sauces in a bowl. Add more of either or both sauces if desired. Coat each wing in the sauce and cook according to your preferred cooking method.
  2. (Air Fryer: Place wings into the air fryer basket and cook at 375F for roughly 10 mins. OR Oven: Place wings on a lined baking sheet and broil for 8-12 minutes, turning every 2 minutes until they are lightly charred on all sides.)
  3. Toss wings in more sauce and serve.
Option 2: Breaded Wings
  1. Heat a pot of vegetable oil, filled less than halfway to the top, to 350F.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together aquafaba and hot sauce.
  3. In another bowl, combine flour, cajun spice, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, onion powder, and sea salt.
  4. Dredge each wing in the flour mixture, then the aquafaba mixture, back into the flour mixture, then into the hot oil.
  5. Fry until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes.
  6. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any access oil.

___________

If you make this Vegan Chicken Drumstick recipe, let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It truly helps me & I really appreciate any support! Feel free to share your food creation on social and tag me @edgyveg on your photo so I don’t miss it!

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  • Can I swap the jackfruit with anything?

  • Denise says:

    Hello! I’m soy protein intolerant. Are soyless tofus (IE from split peas, pumpkin seeds, red lentils, etc,) appropriate in these recipes?
    Thanks in advance!

  • Did you use 2 halves of RicePaper for each drumstick or just a single half.
    You state that we need 24 sheets of RicePaper, making 48 halves.
    I look forward to making this recipe.

  • I made the breaded drumsticks in the air fryer and then coated them in sauce. Oh. My. God. I can serve these while watching football with friends, and I bet no one will guess they’re vegan! They are soooooo good!

  • Morgan S says:

    Can I omit the liquid smoke, my husband isn’t a fan.

  • I’m excited to try your recipe! One question: do you think air-frying the “fried” chicken would work? I would love a fried chicken version but I am trying to avoid oil.

  • Hi,
    I tried to make the bbq drumsticks but they did not crisp up any words of wisdom for next time?

  • Enrico Roncali says:

    Hello,
    I’ve tried looking for “ Bo Bones “ on line with no luck.
    Would you be so kind to direct me to the on line link.
    Much appreciated.
    TY

  • It came out mushy 🙁 🙁 🙁
    I wish I would have read the comments earlier, I would have tried to squeeze the jackfruit after cooking it in the broth.
    I don’t know how else to make them firm up more, any suggestions are appreciated.

  • Is the a possible substitute for the 2T of tofu?

  • Can you make the chicken meat the day before and then wrap in rice paper?
    Thanks

  • Alysa Grimsley says:

    I made fried chicken sandwiches and it tasted great but was so mushy. I lovedddd the flavor of this jackfruit base but I think made the mistake of not thoroughly squeezing out the excess liquid after boiling.is there anything else I should do to prevent the mush? Thanks & great recipe!

  • I made your recipe! It was good but the outer layer came out soft, not crunchy. I oven baked them for 12 min, and still soft so I threw in broiler for additional 12 and still soft. Is there something I did wrong? Any tips? Thank you 🙂

    • Jessica Coons says:

      I just made them today and had the same problem. I think I need to squeeze more liquid out of the jackfruit after I take it out of the can.

  • Nourhan says:

    Hello! I have two questions for you. I found only “silken tofu” that doesn’t say “soft” next to it like your amazon link. Will that still replicate your recipe? The other question was how would I go about preparing fresh jackfruit? I saw many people said “jackfruit in brine” is salty and that’s the only one I have in my area. Thank you

  • Jackie H Ealy says:

    We had these last night. They were fun to make and once I got the hang of being sure that the jackfruit was fully sealed into the bundles the “wings” came together nicely. I snapped in half wooden chopsticks and cleaned up the edges with kitchen shears. I missed the part about squeezing out all moisture so they came out a little mushy, but since they were well sealed in the rice paper, they fried up well without exploding into the oil. I think that the time to squeeze out the moisture would be before stiffing in the tofu/starch mixture. The skin was truly amazing. We made them with canned jackfruit from Trader Joes. I’d love to try them with fresh jackfruit!

  • Has anyone tried fresh or frozen jack fruit in this recipe?

  • I followed the recipe exactly and unfortunately these came out like mush. The flavor was great, but it was complete mush. I did the saucy ones in the air fryer.

    • EdgyVeg says:

      Sometimes things can be different and need a little more starch to keep things from being too wet and mushy. Also, ensure that the water from your jackfruit is totally squeezed out. Sorry things didn’t work out!

    • Tilda R Gordon says:

      Keep practicing

  • These look incredible!!. I wanted to prepare a large batch for a party. If l made a whole batch of wings and left them in the fridge or freezer overnight, do you think they’d be fine for the next day? Thank you!

    • EdgyVeg says:

      I would prepare these until the breading step, leave them spaced out on a lined baking sheet in the fridge overnight, covered with a clean dishtowel or plastic wrap then bread and cook when you’re ready

  • Shanell says:

    Hey hon! These look amazing. I’m excited to try them. I was just wondering, the recipe says that it serves 4, but it calls for 24 rice paper wrappers. I was wondering if it’s still a half of a rice paper per drumstick? Thank you 🙂

    • EdgyVeg says:

      This recipe can make quite a few drumsticks, I just feel that it appropriately feeds 4 people. The rice paper wrappers can be cut in half or left full depending on the size of drumstick you are making! 24 is just a large amount to have on hand no matter how many you actually end up needing!

  • Sonya Elzey says:

    Thank you for sharing this recipe!! I made these today and they are simply amazing. This is definitely a recipe that I am going to save and make again.

  • Hi thank you so much for this amazing recipe, the flavor and texture of the wings are so great. I notice your rice paper wrappers are white, can you please tell me what brand you used. I actually used the Three Ladies Brand rice paper tagged in your recipe, when I dipped them they became translucent and my drumsticks came out a bit chewy from the air fryer, and when I fried them they were a little crunchy but once they cooled they went straight to chewy. I’m guessing you may have used a different brand. Thanks again!

    • EdgyVeg says:

      The brand I use is T&T from a local Asian grocery store. Try soaking them very quickly and not letting them get too mushy before wrapping the drumsticks

      • Eeeh Ceeh says:

        I squeezed a lot of water from the jackfruit but they were still mushy. How firm could these become? (Air fryer cooked)

        • EdgyVeg says:

          They should get decently firm. I’d suggest really squeezing and even laying out the jackfruit on a clean kitchen towel to drain if needed

  • Should have watched the video first. Taste was incredible. I did not get all of the liquid cooked out though thinking the starch would soak it all up. It didn’t but made a great yellow gravy taste to the “chicken”. Excited to try it cooked through next time. It might be worth adding that in the text recipe for people who didn’t watch the vid. Thanks for the awesome recipes!

  • This recipe works well banana blossoms also. Thank you for the video. So good!!!!

  • Rolanda Sabree says:

    Hey EdyVeg, can I use corn starch in place of Tapioca Starch?

    • EdgyVeg says:

      Corn starch or potato starch should be great replacements for tapioca starch

  • I made this recipe into patties for a sandwich! So good! Can’t wait to make it again! 💜

  • Suzanne P Oneill says:

    Hello,
    My drumsticks fell apart d were way too moist. Not sure where I went wrong.
    -Suzanne

  • Can you makeup a day before amd wrap in plastic wrap until ready to use. Or wpuld you recommended making it all ahead and assemble the day of. Thank you

  • Melissa Monroe says:

    Hii Edgy Veg🙋🏾‍♀️…what would be a good substitute for the silken tofu..I dont eat soy.
    Thanks for the help.

    • EdgyVeg says:

      You could try using some vegan yogurt with a little bit of cornstarch to bind it. I’ve always made this with silken tofu

    • I use an unsweetened plant-based yoghurt instead of silken tofu. You made need a little extra tapioca though. It works well.

      • It’s a bit hard to find silken tofu at my usually stores & can only be used 2 days after opening. I don’t eat tofu so it’s kind of a waste but I always have yogurt on hand. Good tip!

  • I just made this today and it was yummy! I didn’t have silken tofu so I used hummus and although it tasted good, I would not recommend this alteration bc it tasted creamy like arancini rather than chicken.

  • Kellie Akehurst says:

    I will be making this in roast turkey version for Thanksgiving super excited.

    • Jordan Brackin says:

      Whats the purpose of the tofu? I can’t eat soy so i’m wondering what i could sub it out for. Thanks!

      • EdgyVeg says:

        The tofu works to hold the recipe together and helps with texture. I have not tried to substitute another ingredient, but mashed white beans may work the best here.

      • Try yoghurt.

  • Savanna Sweeting says:

    Suuuuch a good recipe. I made it the day the video came out with the KFC herbs and spices! If you buy your jackfruit in brine, reallllllly rinse it so it can soak up the other flavors.

  • Anastasia says:

    How much servings is this recipe for? Can’t find it anywhere

  • My liquid smoke doesn’t have a dropper. How much is that in teaspoon format?

  • Hi Candice! Thank you for the recipe. I just tried it, but I think I did something wrong. tasted nothing like chicken, just like salty, sour jackfruit wrapped in rice paper 🙁 any tips on how to improve the jackfruit taste?
    best wishes from germany
    xx Jasmin

    • I recommend getting young jackfruit in water, rather than brine, if you can find it. If yours comes in brine, just make sure you rinse it really really well to wash off the weird taste. Hope this helps!

      • Evan Lee-Ferrand says:

        Oh that makes sense now!!!

        • I can never find jackfruit in water where I live and that brine taste is horrible. I drain and rinse the can, then soak it in water a couple of times and gently wash each bit and then rinse several times more. Depending on the dish I will often marinade it overnight after this washing process.

      • Hey me too! Have to say for all the new people interested in trying this, I made the rookie mistake and used canned jackfruit that had sugar in the brine… Mine turned way too fibrous, slimy and very unappetizing. Nothing like chicken.

        Definitely seems like fresh jackfruit is the way to go, otherwise, 100% check the ingredients on the can. 🙂

  • For ingredient 1, when you say, “2 + 1 cups of no-chicken broth” do you just mean 3 cups?

  • Gave this recipe a shot. Super easy and a hit with the family (both Vegan and non-Vegan). Thanks for sharing!
    -The Vegan Ranger

  • Cassandra says:

    Could I used mashed white beans instead of tofu? Or do you have another recommendation you think might work?

    • EdgyVeg says:

      I haven’t tried that but I think it should work! Make sure you mash them into a smooth consistency

    • Jordan Brackin says:

      Cassandra, did you give this a try with white beans? I can’t eat soy because of an allergy so i’m looking for an alternative in the recipe. Thanks

      • EdgyVeg says:

        If you try with white beans please let us know how your results turn out!

  • I can’t wait to try this!! Is that the correct link to the bouillon ? It says made with chicken meat…

  • Looks amazing and I can’t wait to try!

  • Making these on the weekend! Can’t wait to try them and report back!

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