Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (2024)

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I’ve got your new favorite quickie dinner – Vegan Southern StyleAir Fryer Soy Curls! This recipe is easy, convenient, full of flavor, crunch, and fun to eat as well.

They’re like vegan popcorn chicken, plus are oil-free, gluten-free, and you can change up the seasoning even add in some hot sauce, to suit your mood.

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (1)

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This Is My New Favorite Dinner Recipe!

I hate to tell you this, but I’ve been holding out on you. I’ve been making these Vegan Air Fryer Southern Fried “Chicken” Soy Curls for months!

It’s taken me a while to get the time to take photos and write down this great recipe, but it’s worth the wait.

If you want to get all the details on soy curls, check out my Soy Curl Recipe page.

Looking for a perfect dessert for this dinner? Try my Plant-based London Fog Ice Cream!

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (2)

What Are Soy Curls?

They are by a company called Butler Foods and are made of non-gmo soybeans, that are basically cooked, then smashed into a vegan chicken tender shape.

They look a lot like TVP and come dehydrated.But when they are reconstituted with water or broth they have a meaty texture like a vegan version of chicken strips.

You won’t find them in grocery stores or Whole Foods on the east coast, but you can order from Amazon no matter where you live.

Since I’m in North Carolina, I order my Butler Soy Curls on Amazon.

If you are in the Pacific Northwest, you may be able to find them in your local health food store. You can also get your bags of soy curls directly from Butler’s Foods.

What are Butler’s Soy Curls made of?

Soy curls are created by dehydrating whole soybeans that have been cooked and extruded. They are a great vegan meat substitute that’s super simple to prepare.

They are made from whole, non-GMO soybeans that have been grown without the use of chemical pesticides.

Are TVP and soy curls the same thing?

Unlike TVP (textured vegetable protein), which is created by pressing and drying defatted soybean flour, these curls are made from whole beans, retaining all of their fiber and protein.

Soy curls can be used as the basis for a stir-fry or, if finely chopped after soaking, in any recipe that calls for vegan ground.

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (3)

How Do Use Soy Curls?

For this recipe, I rehydrate them with boiling water, but when I use them in a slow cooker or Instant Pot recipes, I usually put them in dry with extra liquid to save time and effort.

Use them in any recipe that calls for meat or sub them for tofu or vegan crumbles.

Do soy curls go bad?

The dehydrated Curls are shelf-stable but using them within 6 months of purchase is recommended.

Rehydrated Soy Curls can be maintained covered in the fridge for up to 4 days before use.

Ingredients

You’ll need a 1/2 a bag of soy curls, finely ground cornmeal, nutritional yeast, and cajun seasoning.

How to make air fryer soy curls?

Place the soy curls in a heat-resistant pan or large bowl over high heat and pour the boiling water or vegetable broth over them.

Allow 5 to 10 minutes for them to soak, or until they become soft and plump.

Pour into a strainer in your sink to drain, then use a big spoon to press out any excess water.

In a small bowl, combine the breading ingredients thoroughly.

In a big mixing bowl, combine the drained soy culls and breading well. Each piece should be coated.

Cook the breaded soy curls in a single layer in your air fryer for 5 minutes at 380 degrees in your air fryer. Shake and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Cook until they are golden brown, have a crispy texture, but are still moist inside.

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (4)

How Do You Make Vegan Southern Style Air Fryer Soy Curls?

First, pour hot water over the soy curls. In 5 to 10 minutes, they are plump, rehydrated, and ready to go.

Some people soak them in broth, but in this recipe, I add flavor through the delicious coating.

Next, you drain the excess water off. I use a strainer and press on it with a wooden spoon to get out more liquid.

Even after you drain the soy curls, there will be enough moisture to hold on to the coating.

Sometimes some of the coating soaks up some liquid and makes little crunchies separate from the soy curl. These are great on salads.

Do you have to refrigerate soy curls?

Soy Curls are a 100%natural product and do notconsist of any ingredients or preservatives.Keep them refrigerated or frozen to keep them fresh.

While they can be stored at room temp, they will last much longer in the fridge or freezer.

How long do you soak soy curls?

Allow 5 to 10 minutes for them to soak, or until soft and plump.

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (5)

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

  • Air Fried Vegan Beignets with an Oven Option
  • Air fryer potatoes
  • Air Fryer Cajun Pecan-Crusted Gardein Fishless Filets
  • Air Fryer Bow Tie Pasta Chip

More Soy Curl Recipes to Try

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (6)

Vegan Air Fryer Southern Fried “Chicken” Soy Curls

Kathy Hester

The easiest “cheat” dinner that your family will go nuts over!

4.63 from 75 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun

Servings 2

Calories 303 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 bag Butler Soy Curls 4 ounces
  • 3 cups boiling water

Breading

  • 1/4 cup fine ground cornmeal can sub flour
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Put the soy curls in a heat proof pan on the stove and pour the boiling water over them. Let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft and plump.

  • Pour into a strainer in your sink to drain, then press the extra water out with a large spoon.

  • Mix the breading ingredients together well in a small bowl.

  • Add the drained soy culls to a large bowl and mix in breading well. You want to coat each piece.

  • Place the breaded soy curls into your air fryer and cook at 380 degrees for 5 minutes. Shake and cook for 5 more minutes.

  • Serve as is with fries or over mashed potatoes with a golden gravy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 25gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 204mgFiber: 10gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 519IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

Keyword air fryer, air fryer soy curls, soy curls

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Southern Fried Vegan Air Fryer Soy Curls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much water do you use for soy curls? ›

Place soy curls in a bowl then pour 2 cups boiled water over soy curls. Let stand 10 minutes to rehydrate. Drain and pat dry, squeezing liquid out of the soy curls(I use my salad spinner to remove liquid then pat dry in a towel).

How to make soy curls from soy beans? ›

Soy curls are made of non-GMO soybeans. The process of making them starts with soaking the soybeans in water. They're then cooked and stirred to break the beans down into mush. Then the mush is extruded (i.e., pushed through a small opening) into stringy shapes, which are dried at a low temperature.

Are soy curls and TVP the same? ›

TVP can be used instead of soy curls in equal measure, provided it's cut in a similar shape and size, but there's a big difference in quality. TVP is made from defatted soy flour, a byproduct of soybean oil production, making it a more processed product.

Are soy curls the same as tofu? ›

What's the difference between soy curls and tofu? Both soy curls and tofu have a neutral flavor and are made from, you guessed it, soy. The major difference, though, is that tofu is pressed into a block and soy curls are formed as small dehydrated strips with a chewy texture.

How many cups is 8 oz of soy curls? ›

Soy Curls or approx. 4 cups dry.

Can you over soak soy curls? ›

Soy curls come dehydrated and require soaking before use. Soak in warm water for 10 minutes. Be careful not to soak for too long or they will become mushy.

Do soy curls need to be cooked? ›

Soy Curls come dry and need to be rehydrated in order to cook them. They will increase in size as they soak, so an 8-ounce package will actually weigh about 1½ pounds after it's been rehydrated. You need to soak for only about 10 minutes. They then need to be drained of any excess water.

Are soy curls healthier than tofu? ›

To prepare soy curls, you rehydrate them, squeeze out the excess liquid, and then marinate them or cook them in whatever recipe you want. They have a very chewy texture and are high in fiber, even more so than tofu.

How long do cooked soy curls last? ›

How long do soy curls last? Once rehydrated and cooked, you will need to store the soy curls in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Are soy curls healthy for you? ›

In addition to protein and healthy fats, soy curls are high in fiber, containing 6 grams of fiber per serving, which can help aid in digestion and prevent constipation. They are also a good source of iron, calcium, and other essential minerals that are important for maintaining a healthy body.

Do soy curls need to be refrigerated? ›

Soy Curls™ are an all natural product and do not contain any preservatives or additives. Keep them refrigerated or frozen to keep them fresh.

What can I use instead of soy curls? ›

Soy Curl Substitute: while soy curls can be easy to find in some parts of the world, they can be very difficult to find, or very costly in other places. Soy Chunks, Soya Chunks, TVP Chunks are all basically the same thing, just in different shapes, so try looking out for these instead.

What is the fake meat called? ›

Fake meat can be divided into two main categories: plant-based meat and what is sometimes called lab-grown or cultivated meat. Plant-based meat is made from plant proteins like soy protein, pea protein and wheat protein.

How long do soy curls last in the refrigerator? ›

Storage: The dehydrated Curls are shelf-stable and keep indefinitely, though using them within six months of purchase is recommended. Rehydrated Soy Curls can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to four days before using.

Are soy curls less processed than tofu? ›

Soy Curls

These protein-packed strips are different than soy products like tofu and tempeh because they are considered minimally processed. According to Butler Foods, soy curls are made by boiling whole non-GMO soybeans in water. They contain no other additives or preservatives.

How much water do you put in soy milk? ›

Here is a basic recipe for making soy milk: Ingredients: 1 cup of dried soybeans. 4-6 cups of water.

Do dehydrated soy curls go bad? ›

Soy curls are usually sold in a dehydrated, uncooked state. Unopened, they have a shelf life of up to 1 year. Be sure to check the 'best by' date on the packet to ensure you're getting the freshest product. Once opened, you should ideally use soy curls within 10 days.

How long does it take to rehydrate soy curls? ›

Rehydrate the soy curls.

Cover the soy curls with boiling water and allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes. You can go ahead and prepare the marinade during this time. Once they've soaked, you'll wring out the excess liquid so they'll absorb as much of the marinade as possible.

How much do soy curls expand? ›

Soy Curls come dry and need to be rehydrated in order to cook them. They will increase in size as they soak, so an 8-ounce package will actually weigh about 1½ pounds after it's been rehydrated. You need to soak for only about 10 minutes.

References

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