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Wendy's Spicy Chicken Nugget Recipe

This vegan twist on Wendy’s iconic spicy nuggets features crispy, golden tofu coated in bold, flavorful seasonings. Perfectly spiced and irresistibly crunchy, these nuggets pair well with a variety of dipping sauces for the ultimate plant-based comfort food experience.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Slotted spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 5 eggs worth of egg replacer, prepared
  • 1 tsp cayenne powder
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 cups double strength no chicken, chicken-style vegetable broth
  • 2 blocks extra firm tofu, pressed & torn into bite-sized nuggets
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ⅓ cup Franks Hot Sauce
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder

Instructions
 

  • Soak tofu nuggets in chicken-style broth for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 days.
    This image shows tofu nuggets being soaked in a flavorful broth to absorb spices and enhance their taste for Wendy's-style spicy chicken nuggets.
  • Mix flour, breadcrumbs, and spices in a bowl.
    This image shows flour, breadcrumbs, and a blend of spices being mixed in a bowl to create a crispy coating for the tofu nuggets.
  • In another bowl, combine egg replacer with hot sauce.
    This image shows egg replacer being whisked with hot sauce in a bowl to form a spicy batter for dredging tofu nuggets.
  • Dredge tofu in flour mixture, then the egg replacer, and back in the flour.
    This image shows coated tofu nuggets resting on a wire rack, ready to be fried into crispy and spicy nuggets.
  • Place coated tofu on a rack while heating oil to 365°F.
  • Fry tofu in batches for 3–5 minutes until golden.
    frying-tofu-nuggets-in-black-skillet-until-crispy-golden
  • Drain on a wire rack and serve with your favorite vegan dipping sauces.
    golden-tofu-nuggets-drained-on-rack-with-vegan-dipping-sauce

Notes

  • Marinate tofu longer for a deeper flavor.
  • Adjust cayenne for your preferred spice level.