Crispy Vegan Korean Gochujang Seitan Bites
Savor the incredible flavors of these Crispy Vegan Korean Gochujang Seitan Bites, where chewy seitan meets a spicy-sweet sauce made with gochujang, a unique Korean fermented chili paste. This dish offers a delightful crunch and a rich umami taste, making it a perfect appetizer or party snack. Using vital wheat gluten, we create a hearty base that absorbs all the flavor from the tangy sauce, resulting in an irresistible fusion of textures and tastes. Serve these bites with your favorite dipping sauce or on a bed of lettuce for a fresh twist.
30
Servings
45
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vital wheat gluten
1 1/2 cups (measured)
Garlic granules
2 teaspoons (measured)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (measured)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Salt
1 teaspoon (measured)
Vegetable broth
1 cup (prepared)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (measured)
Non-dairy milk
2/3 cup (measured)
Cornstarch
1/2 cup (measured)
Chinese five spice powder
1 teaspoon (measured)
Gochujang
2 tablespoons (measured)
Rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (measured)
Light brown sugar
6 tablespoons (measured)
Finely grated ginger
1 tablespoon (prepared)
Garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 (prepared)
Toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon (measured)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (measured)
Sesame seeds
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
Scallion, finely sliced
1 (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten, garlic granules, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until all dry ingredients are fully integrated.
2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth and olive oil. Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3
Pinch off half-inch chunks of the dough and place them in a steamer basket lined with baking paper that has holes poked in it for steam to escape. Make sure to leave some space between each piece to allow for expansion while steaming.
4
Set the steamer over a pot of simmering water on low heat and steam for 40 minutes, adding water as necessary to prevent it from drying out. Once done, carefully remove the seitan from the steamer and let it cool completely.
5
Prepare the breading station by placing non-dairy milk in one shallow bowl and combining cornstarch, Chinese five spice powder, and the extra garlic granules in another bowl. Dip each piece of cooled seitan into the non-dairy milk, followed by the cornstarch mixture, and lay them out on a baking sheet.
6
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 300°F (150°C). Gently lower in several pieces of the coated seitan and fry until pale and crusted on the outside. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Repeat until all pieces are fried.
7
Raise the oil temperature to 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated seitan pieces again in small batches until they achieve a beautiful golden brown color. Remove them to the paper towel-lined baking sheet once more.
8
For the sauce, place gochujang, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, grated ginger, chopped garlic, toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce in a small pot. Heat over medium until bubbling, stirring well to combine the ingredients. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat.
9
In a large mixing bowl, toss the crispy seitan with the hot sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving dish and generously sprinkle with sesame seeds and finely sliced scallions. Serve immediately for the best taste experience.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
5g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Vegan Korean Gochujang Seitan Bites?
They are a vegan appetizer or snack featuring chewy seitan pieces coated in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce and fried until crunchy.
Is this recipe entirely plant-based?
Yes, it is a vegan recipe using ingredients like vital wheat gluten, vegetable broth, and non-dairy milk.
What is gochujang?
Gochujang is a unique Korean fermented chili paste that provides a spicy, sweet, and umami flavor to the dish.
How do I make the seitan base?
Mix vital wheat gluten with garlic granules, oregano, pepper, and salt, then add a mixture of vegetable broth and olive oil to form a dough.
How long should I knead the seitan dough?
The dough should be kneaded for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
What size should the seitan pieces be for steaming?
You should pinch off half-inch chunks of the dough before placing them in the steamer.
How long does the seitan need to be steamed?
The seitan chunks should be steamed for 40 minutes over low heat.
How do I prevent the seitan from sticking to the steamer?
Line the steamer basket with baking paper that has holes poked in it for steam to escape.
What is the secret to making the bites extra crispy?
This recipe uses a double-frying method, frying first at 300°F and then again at 350°F.
What is in the breading mixture?
The breading consists of a non-dairy milk dip followed by a mixture of cornstarch, Chinese five spice powder, and garlic granules.
What temperature should the oil be for the first fry?
The oil should be heated to 300°F (150°C) for the initial fry until the pieces are pale and crusted.
What temperature should the oil be for the second fry?
For the second fry, raise the oil temperature to 350°F (175°C) until the pieces are golden brown.
How do I make the Korean gochujang sauce?
Combine gochujang, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, grated ginger, chopped garlic, toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce in a pot and heat until bubbling.
When should I coat the seitan in the sauce?
Toss the crispy seitan with the hot sauce immediately after the second fry while the sauce is still hot.
How should I garnish the dish?
Garnish with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and finely sliced scallions.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to provide approximately 30 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 45 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 2g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each bite?
There are approximately 5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there protein in these seitan bites?
Yes, each serving provides 1g of protein.
Can I use any type of broth?
The recipe calls for vegetable broth to keep the dish vegan.
What kind of sugar is best for the sauce?
Light brown sugar is recommended to provide the right balance of sweetness.
Does the seitan need to cool after steaming?
Yes, you should let the seitan cool completely after steaming before you begin the breading process.
Can I serve these on a bed of greens?
Yes, the description suggests serving them on a bed of lettuce for a fresh twist.
What type of vinegar is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar.
Is Chinese five spice powder necessary?
It is used in the cornstarch mixture to add flavor to the breading.
How many garlic cloves are needed for the sauce?
You will need 4 finely chopped garlic cloves for the sauce.
What texture does the cornstarch provide?
The cornstarch creates a crisp, light crust on the seitan bites.
Should the sauce be heated before tossing?
Yes, the sauce should be heated over medium until bubbling and the sugar is dissolved.
Can I use dairy milk for the breading?
To keep the recipe vegan, you should use non-dairy milk.