Vegan Lemon Pepper Wings
These Lemon Pepper Tofu Wings will change the way you think about tofu. Packed with chickeny flavor and coated in a piquant lemon pepper sauce, these air fried tofu wings have the meatiest texture thanks to our internet-famous Tofu Freezer Trick. If you want vegetarian lemon pepper wings that actually taste like boneless chicken wings and not some crunchy vegetable substitute, this is your recipe.
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When people hear we’re making vegan wings, they often roll their eyes and assume we mean flavorless baked cauliflower.
And not that there’s anything wrong with cauliflower per se (we love a good cauliflower soup!), but when I want wings, I’m going for that meaty texture you can really sink your teeth into.
What these doubters don’t realize is we have a few time-tested tricks up our sleeves to turn tofu into the type of meaty magic that will stop those doubts right in their tracks. And in this post, we are going to teach you how to do it too!
We took these vegan Lemon Pepper Wings (and many other flavors of tofu wings) to a Super Bowl party last year, and all the non-vegan guests couldn’t stop eating them.
One person even said, “Wow, when you said tofu I wasn’t expecting it to taste so much like chicken.” We don’t mess around here at PPC!
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Why You’ll Love Our Lemon Pepper Tofu Air Fryer Wings
- They’re not cauliflower. Not that there’s anything wrong with cauliflower, but when I want wings, I’m going for that meaty texture you just can’t get from cauliflower.
- Amazing texture and flavor. We used our beloved “Tofu Freezer Trick” in this recipe to create the meatiest, tenderest, most flavorful tofu wings of all time. You’ve never eaten tofu like this before.
- They’re air fryer tofu wings. No hot oil to worry about spitting oil everywhere and clean-up is easy. And they still taste legit thanks to an oil-based marinade that adds just the right amount of fat.
- They’re a hit with both vegans and non-vegans alike! Make these vegan Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings for your next football party or tailgate, and watch all your family and friends rave about how delicious they are.
What Are Lemon Pepper Wet Wings?
Lemon Pepper Wings started as a variation of the popular Buffalo wings. It is said that they were invented in Atlanta, GA in the early 2000s where the local residents would sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning on their wings to cut the spicy heat of the Buffalo sauce a little.
The addition of the seasoning became so popular it found its way to being its own wing flavor, and the Lemon Pepper Wet Wing was born. Since its Atlantan inception, the flavor has grown in popularity across the south.
Lemon Pepper Wings went globally viral and became tremendously popular when a character in the TV show Atlanta received an order of Lemon Pepper Wings from real-life restaurant J.R. Crickets, a local Atlanta establishment known for its wings .
Lemon Pepper Tofu Wing Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the best vegan lemon pepper wet wings in town!
For the Wings and Marinade:
Extra firm tofu – Frozen and thawed. Make sure you get the kind that comes in water, not vacuum sealed. This is important for the texture when using the Tofu Freezer Trick.
Olive oil – I like to use an oil marinade rather than a water-based one because it doesn’t add more water to the tofu (which can negatively affect the texture when cooked). It also helps by adding fat and creating that “fried” effect without actually frying them.
Vegan chicken bouillon powder – We use our easy homemade bouillon powder which adds that perfect touch of chickeny flavor!
For the Breading:
Vegan seasoned bread crumbs – Be sure to check the ingredients, as some contain milk / eggs. We used our homemade vegan Italian bread crumbs but also love Edward & Sons brand! You want to use very fine breadcrumbs, so avoid panko if you can. If your bread crumbs are a little chunkier, pulse them in the food processor a few times before using them!
Tapioca starch or cornstarch – I find tapioca starch adheres better than cornstarch, but the latter will work in a pinch.
Unsweetened plain non-dairy milk – It is crucial you use an unsweetened and neutral-tasting plant-based milk here so the wings don’t taste weird. We love the unsweetened line of plant milks from Elmhurst.
Apple cider vinegar – We’ll use this to make a vegan buttermilk in the breading.
For the vegan lemon pepper sauce:
Vegan butter – Use your favorite brand of plant-based butter. We love the Plant Butter sticks from Country Crock!
Lemon – You’ll use both the juice and zest.
Spice Cabinet: lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt
How to Make Crispy Lemon Tofu Wings
Follow these time-tested, step by step instructions to get the best results from your tofu wings. And make sure you start 1-3 days ahead!
Step 1: Prep The Tofu 1-3 Days Ahead (at least!)
Place the whole container (do not open it) in the freezer overnight. In the morning, remove it from the freezer and set it in a shallow dish on your counter to thaw. This will take several hours.
If you need to thaw the tofu quicker than that, check out this video for our best tips.
When the tofu is thawed, squeeze it gently over the sink and press it with a tofu press or on paper towels to remove any excess liquid.
Step 2: Marinate the Tofu
Place your tofu on a cutting board and use your hands to gently rip wing-shaped pieces. (Alternatively, you can also slice the tofu into sticks, triangles, or flat rectangles for other shape options.) Just be careful not to make any of the pieces too thick or they won’t cook right.
Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and pour this over your tofu wings, making sure they are all nice and coated.
Place the marinated tofu in your fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
Step 3: Set up the Breading Station
Remove the tofu from the marinade and place it on a plate or cutting board.
To the container where the tofu was marinating, add the unsweetened milk and apple cider vinegar. Swish the mixture gently to combine.
Then, get out two more shallow bowls or pie plates. To one, add the starch. To the other, add the seasoned breadcrumbs.
Step 4: Bread the Tofu Wings
Dip each tofu wing in the starch, then in the marinade/plant milk mix, then in the bread crumb mixture.
Be sure to coat the tofu completely during each phase. Repeat for each wing.
Step 5: Air Fry the Vegan Wings
Add tofu wings to the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd them so that they’re on top of each other. Feel free to do this in 2 batches.
Air fry for 10 minutes at 350F. Stop to shake gently, just enough to loosen the pieces from the bottom of the basket, and air fry another 10 minutes. Then, stop to shake gently again and air fry for a final 10 minutes or until browned.
Step 6: Make Lemon Pepper Wing Sauce
While the tofu is air frying, add the sauce ingredients to a saucepan and stir until the vegan butter is melted.
Then, let this come to a low simmer and as soon as the sides start to bubble, remove from heat.
Step 7: Bring it Together
Add the cooked tofu wings to a large mixing bowl and drizzle on half the lemon pepper wing sauce.
Toss to coat all the wings evenly.
Then, drizzle the remaining wing sauce over the tofu and continue tossing to coat.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Tofu Wings
- Make sure you don’t skip the freezing the tofu part. This is crucial, and without it you will have a far squishier texture.
- When freezing the tofu, make sure you buy tofu packed in water and freeze it in the unopened package.
- Do not use silken tofu or soft tofu. Extra firm tofu works the best for the meatiest results.
- Use a plain, unsweetened plant based milk to avoid any overwhelming flavor. Avoid anything that says “vanilla.”
- To get really firm and crispy wings, bread and air fry them the night before the big game. Then, let them sit in the fridge overnight and reheat in the air fryer before saucing and serving!
How to Serve Lemon Pepper Tofu Wings
Serve these lemon pepper wings with carrot and celery sticks and Vegan Buttermilk Ranch Dressing for dipping those delicious lemon pepper tofu bites.
These crispy lemon tofu pieces also make an amazing dinner option paired with some white rice and sauteed veg. We love to throw leftovers into containers for meal prep with some veggies and dip on the side!
How to Store Leftover Vegetarian Wings
Allow the wings to cool completely before storing. Place leftover wings in an airtight container and eat within 4-5 days.
How to Reheat Leftover Lemon Pepper Tofu Wings
Reheat in the air fryer at 350° for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and nice and crisp.
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More Great Game Day Recipes
- Buffalo Vegan Chicken Wings
- Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip
- 11-Layer Vegan Taco Dip
- The Best Loaded Vegan Nachos
- Check out all our favorite vegan football food in our Vegan Recipes for the Super Bowl round-up!
We can’t wait to hear what you and your guests thought about these crispy air fryer tofu wings! Did you get some surprise reactions?!
Leave a comment and star rating below to let us know. This also helps more people find our vegan recipes which we appreciate so much!
Vegan Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
For the wings/marinade:
- 16-oz package extra firm tofu
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp vegan chicken bouillon powder
For the breading:
- 3/4 cup vegan seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup tapioca starch or cornstarch
- 1/4 cup unsweetened plain non-dairy milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
For the vegan lemon pepper wing sauce:
- 1 cup vegan butter
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- First, prep the tofu: Freeze and defrost your tofu. Place the whole container (do not open it) in the freezer overnight (at least). In the morning, remove it from the freezer and set it in a shallow dish on your counter to thaw. This will take several hours. When the tofu is thawed, squeeze it gently over the sink and press it with a tofu press or on paper towels to remove any excess liquid.
- Marinate the tofu: Place your tofu on a cutting board and use your hands to gently rip wing-shaped pieces off of it. Alternatively, you can also slice the tofu into sticks, triangles, or flat rectangles for other shape options. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and pour this over your tofu wings, making sure they are all nice and coated. Place them in your fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
- Set up the breading station: Preheat the air fryer to 350F and spray the basket gently with oil. Remove the tofu from the marinade and place it on a plate or cutting board or the lid of the container. To the container where the tofu was marinating, add the unsweetened plant milk and apple cider vinegar. Swish the mixture gently to combine. Get out two shallow bowls or pie plates. To one, add the starch. To the other, add the breadcrumbs.
- Bread the tofu wings: Dip each tofu wing in the starch, then in the marinade/plant milk mix, then in the bread crumb mixture. Be sure to coat the tofu completely during each phase. Repeat for each wing.
- Air fry the vegan wings: Add tofu wings to the air fryer basket, enough to fill the bottom but not so many that they’re on top of each other. Feel free to do it in 2 batches. Air fry for 10 minutes at 350F. Stop to shake gently, just enough to loosen the pieces from the bottom of the basket, and air fry another 10 minutes. Then, stop to shake gently again and air fry for a final 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Make lemon pepper wing sauce: While the tofu is air frying, add the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and stir until the vegan butter is melted. Then, let this come to a low simmer and as soon as the sides start to bubble, remove from heat.
- Bring it together: Add the cooked tofu wings to a large mixing bowl and drizzle on half the lemon pepper wing sauce. Toss to coat all the wings evenly. Then, drizzle the remaining wing sauce over the tofu and continue tossing to coat.
- To serve: Serve these air fried tofu wings on a platter with vegan ranch dressing, celery sticks, and carrots.
Notes
- Make sure you don’t skip the freezing the tofu part. This is crucial, and without it you will have a far squishier texture.
- When freezing the tofu, make sure you buy tofu packed in water and freeze it in the unopened package.
- Do not use silken tofu or soft tofu. Extra firm tofu works the best for the meatiest results.
- Use a plain, unsweetened plant based milk to avoid any overwhelming flavor. Avoid anything that says “vanilla.”
- To get really firm and crispy wings, bread and air fry them the night before the big game. Then, let them sit in the fridge overnight and reheat in the air fryer before saucing and serving!
