Description
Spicy Jamaican Jackfruit Nuggets bring Caribbean street food magic right to home kitchens with bold, zesty flavors. Crispy exterior and tender interior promise a delightful culinary adventure you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Flour Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 0.25 cup cornstarch
Breadcrumb Coating:
- 1.25 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Meticulously drain and thoroughly rinse the jackfruit, ensuring complete removal of excess liquid. Gently pat dry using clean paper towels, then trim away the firm, woody core sections for optimal texture.
- Create a tangy buttermilk substitute by combining almond milk and fresh lemon juice. Allow the mixture to curdle and develop for approximately 3-5 minutes, creating a rich, cultured liquid.
- Construct a seasoned flour coating by whisking together all-purpose flour and cornstarch until uniformly blended, creating a light and crispy base for the nuggets.
- Develop a robust seasoning blend by mixing breadcrumbs with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and smoky paprika. Ensure all spices are evenly distributed throughout the breadcrumb mixture.
- Initiate the coating process by carefully dredging each jackfruit piece first in the seasoned flour mixture, then thoroughly dunk in the prepared buttermilk, and finally generously roll in the spiced breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the entire coating sequence for an extra-crispy, substantial exterior.
- Prepare cooking surfaces by selecting your preferred method: oven-baking at 400°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet, deep-frying in hot oil, or utilizing an air fryer.
- When oven-baking, lightly mist nuggets with non-stick spray to enhance browning. Rotate the nuggets midway through cooking to ensure uniform crispiness, typically requiring 20-25 minutes until achieving a golden-brown appearance.
- For pan-frying, heat neutral cooking oil to medium-high temperature. Carefully place coated nuggets into the hot oil, cooking 1-2 minutes per side until achieving a perfectly crisp, golden exterior.
- If using an air fryer, cook at 400°F for approximately 18-22 minutes, turning the nuggets halfway through the cooking cycle to guarantee even crisping.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, accompanied by an array of complementary dipping sauces that enhance the nuggets’ complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose young, green jackfruit in brine or water, not sweet syrup, for the best savory texture and neutral flavor profile.
- Thoroughly drain and pat dry jackfruit to ensure crispy coating adheres properly and prevents soggy results.
- For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend to maintain similar crispiness.
- Experiment with different seasoning blends like Cajun
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg