Juneteenth Vegan Chicken And Waffles (Printable)

Crispy mushroom fried chicken meets fluffy waffles for a compassionate Juneteenth celebration.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegan "Chicken"

01 - 2 cups oyster mushrooms, torn into strips
02 - 1 cup unsweetened plant milk
03 - 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
04 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

→ Waffles

14 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
15 - 2 tablespoons sugar
16 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
17 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
18 - ½ teaspoon salt
19 - 1½ cups unsweetened plant milk
20 - 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
21 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil
22 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Maple Hot Sauce

23 - ¼ cup pure maple syrup
24 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine plant milk and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add mushroom strips and let marinate for 10 minutes to absorb flavor.
02 - Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme in a shallow dish. Place panko breadcrumbs in a separate dish.
03 - Dredge each mushroom strip in the flour mixture, dip into the milk mixture, then press firmly into panko breadcrumbs until thoroughly coated.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Fry breaded mushrooms in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
05 - Turn on waffle iron and allow to fully preheat while preparing the waffle batter.
06 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
07 - In a separate bowl, whisk plant milk, apple cider vinegar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
08 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Small lumps are acceptable.
09 - Pour batter onto preheated waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer instructions until waffles are golden brown and crisp.
10 - Whisk together pure maple syrup and hot sauce until fully blended.
11 - Place hot waffles on plates, top with crispy vegan chicken, and drizzle with maple hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The mushroom chicken gets incredibly crispy with a satisfying crunch that rivals any fried version
  • Perfect for introducing skeptics to plant-based eating without sacrificing the comfort they crave
  • The marinated mushrooms develop a savory umami flavor that feels authentic and substantial
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying or the mushrooms will steam instead of crisp up beautifully
  • Let the fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep that crunch intact
  • The waffle batter can sit for a few minutes while you fry the chicken without any problems
03 -
  • Pat the mushrooms dry before marinating so the coating adheres properly without sliding off
  • Let the oil return to temperature between batches for consistent crispiness

Go Back