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When it comes to food, we can safely assume that many of us love something with a little bit of crunch to it. While finding gluten-free flours in stores other than those of the specialty health food variety may have posed a challenge five or more years ago, that’s no longer the case. Now, most grocery stores offer so many options for gluten-free cooking and baking, it’s enough to make us dance with joy.
But, while it may be easy to come across gluten-free flour, it’s an entirely different world when it comes to finding gluten-free meals that have that crispy breading we love. It can seem a little unfair that your friends and family can pop into any drive-through or restaurant and get something crispy and crunchy while we’re left in the dust. That’s where One Green Planet comes in. We know exactly what you’re looking for, and we promise that we’ve got you covered. When it comes to making the crispiest homemade onion rings that are completely gluten-free or meaty breaded cutlets with gluten-free gravy, look no further than our gluten-free recipes.
So, even if you’re gluten-free, you don’t have to miss out on all that crispy, breaded goodness — try these 15 recipes.
1. Cauliflower Parmesan
This unusual take on the popular Italian dish, eggplant Parmesan, this Cauliflower Parmesan, your new favorite comfort food. It has all of the flavors of the original without the dairy! Instead of being coated with a mixture of cheese and breadcrumbs, cauliflower cutlets are “breaded” with a mixture of cashews, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, fennel, and nutritional yeast, for that cheesy flavor. Serve this with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
2. Eggplant Fries
These crispy Eggplant Fries are coated in a completely gluten-free breading! Eggplant is sliced into thin French fry cuts and then coated with a mixture of almond meal, fresh herbs, and almond milk. Serve these with the spicy chipotle aioli if you like sauce with a kick to it; otherwise, pair it with ketchup.
3. Tofu Fish Sandwich
If you think you have to miss out on fish sticks when you’re eating a plant-based diet, then this Tofu Fish Sandwich is a must-try. It’s like eating a fish stick sandwich, without the fish — and without the gluten! By combining gluten-free flour with cornmeal and seasoning like onion powder, garlic powder, and dulse flakes, it’s easy to recreate that fishy taste. Then all you need to do is serve it with the vegan tartar sauce between two pieces of gluten-free bread and savor every bite.
4. Palak Pakoras: Spinach Fritters
A pakora is a fried vegetable street food originating from India. You can make them as a snack for game days and parties, or just for yourself at home, if you’re craving something different. Chickpea flour is used to create the crispy coating for these Palak Pakoras, making this recipe deliciously gluten-free, too!
5. Breaded Chickpea Cutlets in Mushroom Gravy
These crispy Breaded Chickpea Cutlets are served with a savory homemade mushroom gravy, and the “breading” is gluten-free! Chickpeas have the perfect flavor and texture for this meal that’ll win over anybody. Serve this alongside some fresh greens or any vegetable of your choosing.
6. Coconut and Turmeric Roast Potatoes
Turns out, coconut flour makes a delicious coating on these Coconut and Turmeric Roast Potatoes. Who knew?? These potatoes make a fantastic and healthier option if you’re craving a breaded French fry on the side of your meal.
7. Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets
Although parsnip and fish don’t have much in common, it’s what you do to make these Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets that counts. Lemon pepper, bread crumbs, oil, remoulade, lemon juice, and dill are what take this humble vegetable to the next level. Serve with vegan tartar sauce or vegan remoulade and a side of vegetables to complete the meal.
8. Crispy Turmeric Tofu Nuggets
All that’s between you and these Crispy Turmeric Tofu Nuggets are a few ingredients! When you need to make a dish that’s guaranteed to please everyone, go for these crispy, gluten-free delights. These are great served on a bed of lettuce, or with a few simple sides and some dipping sauce.
9. Battered Hearts of Palm ‘Crab’ Cakes With Tartar Sauce
These Battered Hearts of Palm ‘Crab’ Cakes are made by mashing up hearts of palm into a meaty texture and seasoning them in a way that perfectly mimics the taste and texture of the Maryland classic. The cakes are fried until crispy, then served with a dollop of creamy, tangy homemade tartar sauce. These are best served on a bed of lettuce with fresh tomatoes.
10. Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs
If you’re trying to eat more raw foods, but you still need your spaghetti and meatballs fix, then this recipe is a must-try. Eggplants are blended with fresh basil and other ingredients, then coated in crunchy almond “breading,” and finally, dehydrated until they reach a meaty texture. These Raw Breaded Eggplant Meatballs pair perfectly with the accompanying marinara sauce when served on a bed of zucchini noodles.
11. Oven-Fried Pickles
Although these Oven-Fried Pickles are baked in the oven, you’ll swear they were dunked in the deep fryer. While we wouldn’t go so far as to claim these appetizers are beauty food, they certainly are a healthier option for your gathering than the traditional party fare. Plus, they’re vegan and can be made gluten-free, meaning everyone can enjoy. If you love pickles, then you will adore these crunchy spears. Serve them with a vegan ranch dipping sauce to really make them memorable!
12. Trumpet Mushroom ‘Calamari’
Mushrooms are an amazing substitute in recipes due to their satisfyingly “meaty” taste and texture. Here, trumpet mushrooms stand in for squid in this tasty fried “calamari” dish. Serving the Trumpet Mushroom ‘Calamari’ in lettuce wraps is just one of the many ways you could enjoy this vegan calamari, but you could also enjoy the mushrooms by themselves as an appetizer or snack.
13. Potato Fritter Sliders With Chipotle Aioli
Pav Vada is a traditional Indian street food or snack composed of a spicy potato filling fried in a chickpea flour batter, sandwiched between bread. These simple Potato Fritter Sliders is an updated version that turns the street food into little sliders that are perfect for parties! They’re crispy on the outside, but still gluten-free, and soft and spicy on the inside. They also come with a creamy and spicy chipotle aioli sauce that pairs so perfectly with them.
14. Crispy, Crunchy Cornmeal and Pepita Onion Rings
Goodbye, greasy onion rings! Say hello to these lovely baked Cornmeal and Pepita Onion Rings instead! A mixture of cornmeal and crushed pepitas (otherwise known as pumpkin seeds) gives these unique onion rings a crunchy coating and a unique blend of flavors. Dip them in your favorite sauce for an extra special treat!
15. Tempeh ‘Fish’ N’ Chips With Tartar Sauce
Kelp flakes and Old Bay seasoning bring back the flavors of the sea, and the results are delicious in this vegan Tempeh “Fish” N Chips. The “fish” fillet is crunchy on the outside, but tender and flaky on the inside. The chips are crispy and flavorful, and the tartar sauce is perfect for dipping.
Gluten-free or not, everyone will want a piece of these crispy, crunchy recipes.
Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home
Reducing your meat intake and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is known to Support various health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation, improving heart health, enhancing mental well-being, achieving fitness goals, meeting nutritional needs, managing allergies, and promoting gut health, among others. Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.
For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Here are some great resources to get you started:
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