Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this crispy, golden-brown Vegan Chicken and Waffles recipe! A perfect plant-based twist on the soul food classic, this dish features flavorful tofu slices marinated in a smoky, savory blend of soy sauce, maple syrup, and spices, then coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and pan-fried to perfection. The irresistible "chicken" is paired with fluffy, golden waffles made with almond milk, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of maple syrup for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Whether you drizzle it with extra maple syrup or enjoy it as-is, this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing recipe is sure to become a brunch favorite. Perfect for vegans and anyone looking to explore dairy-free, meatless comfort food!
Press the tofu to remove excess moisture by wrapping it in paper towels and placing a heavy object on top for at least 15 minutes.
Cut the tofu into slices approximately half an inch thick and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to create the marinade.
Place tofu slices in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them, marinating for at least 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Preheat your waffle iron according to its instructions.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 2 minutes to curdle.
To the curdled almond milk, add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and mix well.
Combine wet and dry ingredients to make the waffle batter, stirring until just smooth.
Cook waffles in the preheated iron until golden brown and crispy.
For the tofu, mix nutritional yeast and cornstarch in one bowl, and place panko breadcrumbs in another.
Dredge tofu slices in the nutritional yeast mix, followed by the panko, pressing crumbs gently onto the tofu.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded tofu until golden brown and crispy on each side.
Drain fried tofu on paper towels to remove excess oil.
To serve, place fried tofu on top of a waffle and drizzle with additional maple syrup if desired. Serve warm.
Calories |
3722 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 289.3 g | 371% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.1 g | 206% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3148 mg | 137% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 214.6 g | 78% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.5 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.0 g | ||
| Protein | 97.3 g | 195% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.3 mcg | 16% | |
| Calcium | 3427 mg | 264% | |
| Iron | 22.3 mg | 124% | |
| Potassium | 1818 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.