On A Wing And A Prayer

Wings are flying high, taking off in popularity like other appetizers can only dream. Best known slathered in vinegary buffalo sauce, the appeal of a spicy, deep-fried morsel is undeniable. Spreading like wildfire across the American bar scene since their creation in 1964, many establishments live and die based on the power of their wings. Naturally, vegan options have proliferated alongside the groundswell of interest in plant-based meats, giving rise to even more creative alternatives.

What Are Vegan Wings?

Defining what separates a vegan wing from a sauced and tossed nugget is a blurry, squiggly fine line. Close comparisons can be made to boneless wings, with meat that’s less processed and uniform than breaded bites. Wings are larger, juicier, and yes, coated in either a sauce or dry rub. Most are fried but not all, with methods like baking or roasting being more popular with the healthier crowd. Most confusingly, vegan wings aren’t necessarily protein-based at all, as seen by the mushroom and cauliflower wings that are also achieving great acclaim.

For the sake of this investigation, it simply must be called a “wing” on the menu to qualify. From there, it must stand on its own culinary merits to succeed.

What Makes The BEST Vegan Wings?

Judging what makes a great wing isn’t rocket surgery. Anyone who’s a fan of the food can tell you that it comes down to three things: If they’re crispy, meaty, and saucy.

1. Crispy: It’s all about that crunch. Whether it’s battered, breaded, or naked, the outside of a wing needs a crispy finish that can hold up to being drenched in sauce, too.
2. Meaty: I’m talking about umami and heartiness here. A wing needs a savory depth of flavor and a bite that really satisfies. I don’t care if it’s soy, wheat, or vegetable; it needs to feel like the main event, not a side dish.
3. Saucy or Well-Seasoned: Buffalo may have a choke hold on the market, but it’s far from the only condiment in town. I went out of my way to try alternate sauces whenever possible, always looking for something that’s bold, balanced, clings and coats the wings richly, and doesn’t completely obscure the flavor of the base.

The Best Vegan Wings In Austin, Texas

While it’s a snap to make your own meatless wings at home, that’s not what we’re here for today. When cravings strike, there’s nothing like the instant gratification of a hot, fresh, crispy plate to share with friends. Here are the restaurants doing it right around town.

Community Vegan pulls out all the stops with their Lemon Pepper Wangz. Oyster mushrooms are at the heart of these impeccably crisp, generously seasoned bites. Citrusy, sharp, earthy, and bright, they have a distinct warmth but not a fiery heat, appealing to all levels of spice tolerance. They’re not chicken and they make no bones about it; what they lack in meaty flavor, they make up for in sheer umami. Expertly fried to a resoundingly crunchy finish, these are quite possibly my favorites on the list.

Possum Pizza is a close second for their hyper-realistic Buffalo Wings! and BBQ Wings!, complete with sugar cane drumsticks to gnaw on. Considering the magic they work with plant-based fried chicken, it should come as no surprise that these masters of comfort classics knock this one out of the park. Richly coated with a vinegary hot sauce and accompanied by ranch dressing, it’s the closest experience you can get to eating a conventional plate of wings. Better yet, you can get a killer pizza at the same time.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has technically disqualified themselves by rebranding their Buffalo Cauliflower Wings as a Vegan Cauliflower Bites, but they’re so good, I have to give them a pass for now. Where else can you watch the latest movie releases on the big screen in cozy reclining chairs while enjoying a pile of breaded and fried florets? No matter what you call them, they’re bestsellers for good reason.

Tarrytown Bar & Bistro makes theirCauliflower Wings thicc, with two c’s. These are heavily breaded, battered, and fried hard, creating a daunting fortress that you’ll need a steak knife to break through. If you’re craving a serious crunch, this is the app for you.

Nom Burgers employs the same model of sugarcane drumsticks as Possum Pizza, but dresses them up in 4 different sauce options, and cooks them to a softer finish. These literally fall off the bone, making for easy, if messy, eating. Spicy Korean Q Wings are allegedly the most popular model, but Hot Buffalo Wings are the way to go if you ask me. The real pro tip here is to opt for jalapeño cilantro aioli for dipping instead of the standard issue side of ranch.

CM Smokehouse, tucked away in the shadow of Bouldin Acres, is a classic Texas BBQ-style food truck. Vegetarian options are scant and vegan even fewer, but they do offer Cauliflower Wings tossed with buffalo, BBQ, sweet chili sriracha, or lemon pepper. Avoid the white BBQ and all dipping sauces, and you should be golden. These are unique from other cauliflower options in that they’re fried naked, sans batter or breading, and fried heavily. Genuinely blackened, without any trappings of blackening seasonings, it’s a dish best enjoyed slightly tipsy. There’s a subtly acrid burnt flavor that goes along with the technique which may be off-putting to some.

Moonbowls operates out of ghost kitchens nationwide, specializing in quick service Korean-fusion cuisine, making them a surprising contender for plant-based wings. Battered and fried Korean BBQ Cauliflower Wings are available as a standalone appetizer or topper for bowls, salads, or plates. With a light, airy coating akin to tempura, these bites feel fresher and healthier than most, while still having that satisfying fried flavor.

Yard House deserves props for putting Gardein Wings on the menu before it was cool. While it’s a bummer that none of the dipping sauces are vegan, it’s a treat to choose between buffalo, whiskey black pepper, BBQ, Korean chili garlic, and a lemon pepper dry rub at a mainstream franchise that would otherwise only offer French fries for plant-based palates. Sure, they’re just cut and sauced tenders, but with a pint of beer, a bunch of friends, and sports on TV, it’s the total package that seals the deal.

From mild to wild, saucy to dry spiced, there’s truly a wing out there for everyone. Do you have a favorite on the list?