Broccoli Wings Recipe (vegan) (2024)

FAQs

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? ›

The thinking goes that the sauce will permeate the wings as they cook through — but drenching them too heavily will lead to damp, limp cauliflower bites. Likewise, a minimal amount of saucing will undercut the base flavor.

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.

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

"Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay. The edges will get much crispier than they would if you baked them on parchment paper.

The Takeaway. All in all, seitan is a healthy meat substitute thanks to its low calorie and carb and high protein content. That said, Maeng reminds us that it's not considered a complete protein due to its lack of lysine and threonine—two essential amino acids.

Arnold Schwarzenegger eats an 80% vegan diet, which he said has helped lower his cholesterol. His go-to protein sources are eggs, salmon, chicken, veggie burgers, and protein shakes. Schwarzenegger eats steak, hamburgers, and Austrian wiener schnitzel when he wants a treat.

When your cauliflower is roasting, it will give off steam – if there isn't enough space for air flow, the steam will end up making your cauliflower mushy. Leaving enough space around each piece ensures they will caramelize and crisp up.

Crisp the Skin

Thoroughly pat the wings dry with paper towels before seasoning them with salt and placing them on a baking sheet. Bake at 375˚ until the wings are crisp and brown, about one hour. If you have sauce to put on your wings, do so just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.

Crowding the cauliflower on the pan could make them cook up mushy and a bit soggy. Leave some space between the florets. Be sure not to use too much olive oil to cook them.

Easy DIY Raw Cauliflower Rice Recipe (That's Not Mushy!)

In a food processor, add the cauliflower florets and pulse for 30-60 seconds. Add 2-3 cups at a time and remove as it is riced. This will prevent the cauliflower from being over-processed. With a towel, pat dry or squeeze the liquid out from the cauliflower.