Vegan Chicken and Waffles

Elevate your comfort food game with this irresistible Vegan Chicken and Waffles recipe—an indulgent plant-based twist on a soul food classic! Perfectly crispy, golden tofu "chicken" is marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, smoked paprika, and maple syrup before being breaded in panko and fried to perfection. Paired with fluffy, homemade waffles infused with hints of vanilla and a touch of maple, this dish is the ultimate balance of sweet and savory. Whether you're hosting brunch, craving a satisfying dinner, or exploring vegan takes on traditional recipes, this hearty meal is sure to delight. Serve with a generous drizzle of maple syrup for the perfect final touch. With approachable ingredients and step-by-step instructions, this recipe proves that indulgence can be 100% plant-based.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for waffles)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for waffles)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Cut the tofu into slices approximately half an inch thick and set aside.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to create the marinade.

Step 4

Place tofu slices in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them, marinating for at least 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 5

Preheat your waffle iron according to its instructions.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 2 minutes to curdle.

Step 8

To the curdled almond milk, add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and mix well.

Step 9

Combine wet and dry ingredients to make the waffle batter, stirring until just smooth.

Step 10

Cook waffles in the preheated iron until golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

For the tofu, mix nutritional yeast and cornstarch in one bowl, and place panko breadcrumbs in another.

Step 12

Dredge tofu slices in the nutritional yeast mix, followed by the panko, pressing crumbs gently onto the tofu.

Step 13

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded tofu until golden brown and crispy on each side.

Step 14

Drain fried tofu on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 15

To serve, place fried tofu on top of a waffle and drizzle with additional maple syrup if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1344.6 grams (1344.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3722

Total Fat 289.30g	371%
Saturated Fat 41.10g	206%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.50g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3148mg	137%
Total Carbohydrate 214.60g	78%
Dietary Fiber 19.50g	70%
Total Sugars 37.00g
Protein 97.30g	195%

Vitamin D 132IU	659%
Calcium 3427mg	264%
Iron 22mg	124%
Potassium 1818mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.6%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 22.3%