Making breading stick to veggies (soy, cider, food, eggplant)

[tdna]

I made some vegan jalapeno poppers last night. They tasted delicious and the breading was all crispy and golden brown (they were baked, not fried). However, the breading didn't stick very well and just crumbled off with each bite.

I used Panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little olive oil and nutritional yeast. I dipped the stuffed peppers into a mixture of EnerG and water, then into the breadcrumbs.

Any suggestions for successful breading next time?

[groar]

the best way to get breadcrumbs to stick is to dip the jalapenos (or whatever) into soy milk or water, then roll them in flour with a little cornstarch in it (a tablespoon or so to the cup, or you can just use flour). let them sit and dry out for about 10 minutes, quickly dip them in the liquid again, then roll them in breadcrumbs. you're basically making glue for the breadcrumbs to stick to!

you can also make more of a full-on batter, but i don't know how well that would work baked. that would be my first choice if i was frying them though.

[tdna]

Thanks! I'll try the "glue".

[Capt. Cave Man]

Tdna, what did you stuff in the jalaps? Look'n for a new stuff'n to put in them. Thanks

[tdna]

I used:
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup firm tofu
1 1/2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar
1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Put the almonds, tofu & agave in food processor and blend until they sort of clump together. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until very smooth.
This made enough to fill 12 medium jalapenos.

I also blanched the jalapenos in 4 cups water with 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar prior to stuffing them. I was told that this makes them much easier to bite into, especially if you are baking, rather than frying. It definitely made them easier to fill.

[groar]

did you take off the skin after blanching? that might help stuff stick better too.

[Honeycrisp]

Have heard if you put them in the refrig. about an hr before frying, bread crumbs stick well too (works w/ chicken cutlets).

[sheena12]

Try Veganaise brand vegan mayo. It works well with baked faux fried foods like veggies. I have done it with eggplant slices.
Just thin with a little soy almond and or rice milk dip coat and bake. Worls well with zucchini sticks too!

[Capt. Cave Man]

Thanks, Tdna. What about roast'n them on the grill, steam, skin, stuff, then bread? Might give a nice smokey flavor? Dang I'm hungry!