Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (2024)

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (1)I’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.

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (2)Related 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 🙂

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (3)

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:

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (4)INSTRUCTIONS 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.

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (5)If 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.

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (6)If 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

4.7 from 20 reviews

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks

Prep time

Cook time

Total time

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: The Edgy Veg

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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Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (8)

For more easy, delicious veganrecipes, check out the links below!

  • Vegan Buffalo Wings
  • Vegan Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
  • KFC Nashville Hot Fried Chicken using Cauliflower
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
  • Vegan Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets
  • Buffalo Chicken Caesar Wrap

Best Vegan Chicken Drumsticks | Vegan Drumstick Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are vegan drumsticks made of? ›

For the drumsticks, you'll need all the ingredients used to make wheat meat (also called seitan). This includes: chickpeas, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, extra virgin olive oil, poultry seasoning, soy sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, miso paste, and vital wheat gluten.

How to cook frozen vegan drumsticks? ›

STORAGE & COOKING DIRECTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 450 Degrees.
  2. Remove frozen drumsticks from packaging.
  3. Place drumsticks on a single layer on non-stick pan.
  4. Place baking sheet on middle rack.
  5. Bake for 12 minutes.
  6. Flip the drumsticks and bake for another 12 minutes.

Are there vegan drumsticks? ›

Suitable for Vegans. Contains: Soya. Free From: Artificial Colours.

Why are my drumsticks not crispy? ›

One reason your chicken drumsticks may not be crispy after baking in the oven is the temperature was too low. To achieve crispy chicken skin, it's best to bake the chicken at a higher temperature, as I do here for these Seasoned Crispy Chicken Drumsticks – baking at 420.

What do vegans use in the place of chicken? ›

Vegan Chicken: Delicious vegetarian and vegan-friendly chicken substitutes
  1. Tofu. Tofu is one of the most well-known and versatile vegan and vegetarian-friendly foods out there. ...
  2. Soy curls. ...
  3. Jackfruit. ...
  4. Potato. ...
  5. Seitan. ...
  6. Tempeh. ...
  7. Cauliflower.
May 18, 2023

What is most vegan chicken made of? ›

Although components vary, certain materials are commonly used in meat and meat-free chicken products. These include water, wheat flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and other spices. The main difference is that plant-based chicken is usually made from soy protein and wheat gluten instead of animal flesh.

Do you have to thaw drumsticks before cooking? ›

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker. Simply place the frozen drumsticks in the slow cooker, season them as desired, and cook on low heat for approximately 6-8 hours. However, it is recommended to thaw the drumsticks before using this method to ensure more even and thorough cooking.

Can you cook raw chicken drumsticks from frozen? ›

Fortunately, we can all take a collective sigh of relief, because the USDA says it is fine to cook chicken from frozen, just keep in mind that the cooking time will be about 50 percent longer. However, chicken should never be cooked from frozen in a slow cooker or microwave.

Can you cook vegan chicken from frozen? ›

Cooking Instructions

For best results pan fry from frozen. PAN: Heat oil in a non-stick pan on a medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 18 minutes, turning regularly.

Which chicken stock is vegan? ›

Massel's growing popularity worldwide is due to our combination of fantastic flavours with great health benefits, including being one of the only gluten-free stocks with no added MSG on the market. Our Liquid Stock is plant based and therefore suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

How many calories are in vegan chicken drumsticks? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount% Daily Value
Calories 140
Fat 8 g11 %
Saturated 1.5 g + Trans 0 g8 %
Cholesterol 0 mg
8 more rows

Do drumsticks have gelatine in them? ›

Ingredients. Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Gelling Agent: Gelatine; Modified Starch, Acidity Regulators: Citric Acid, Trisodium Citrate; Flavourings, Apple Pulp, Glazing Agent: Carnaubawax; Colour: Anthocyanin.

Is it better to bake drumsticks at 350 or 400? ›

We have found that baking chicken drumsticks at 400°F gives the best results for juicy, moist dark meat with crispy skin. You'll know they are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F when tested with a digital meat thermometer in the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone.

Do you bake drumsticks covered or uncovered? ›

Cooking them covered helps them to remain moist and the internal heat helps to cook them thoroughly. After approximately 25 minutes, remove the cover and continue cooking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. This will allow the skin on the drumsticks to brown and crisp slightly.

How do restaurants get their chicken so crispy? ›

Restaurants often achieve juicy and tender fried chicken with a crispy exterior through a combination of techniques such as marinating the chicken in buttermilk or brine, using a seasoned flour or breading mixture, and deep-frying at the right temperature.

What are vegan chicken tenders made of? ›

Water, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Wheat Gluten, Pea Protein*, Modified Corn Starch, 2% or less of Potato Starch, Natural Flavors, Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil, Methylcellulose, Salt, Rice Flour, Cellulose Fiber, Coconut Oil, Onion Powder, Yeast ...

What is vegan chicken wings made from? ›

Most vegan chicken wings are made from soy protein or seitan. Seitan is a high-protein vegan meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten. Vital wheat gluten is the natural protein found in wheat. While you can make wings using tofu alone, the seitan is what provides the most meat-like texture and chewiness.

What is mock chicken legs made of? ›

It is essentially minced meat (pork and/or veal or beef maybe?), shaped in a mould to resemble a chicken drumstick, crumbed and then a wooden stick inserted in place of a bone. Cooked on a barbecue or frypan, baked in the oven or deep-fried — any which way you like, they are delicious!

What is the bone in vegan wings? ›

But the real magic happens with our innovative “bone” made from sugar cane fiber. By inserting this eco-friendly sugar cane stick into each soy wing, we can replicate the authentic experience of eating chicken wings right off the bone. You get that same satisfying act of gnawing the meat off the bone-like structure.

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