Soy-Free Korean Fried Chicken

Prepare to savor the irresistible crunch of Soy-Free Korean Fried Chicken—an innovative twist on a beloved classic, crafted for those seeking bold flavors without soy-based ingredients. This recipe features perfectly marinated chicken drumsticks coated in a crispy, double-fried batter seasoned with garlic, onion, and gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes). The highlight is a tangy, sweet, and sticky glaze made with honey, rice vinegar, and ketchup, infused with aromatic garlic and ginger for an authentic yet soy-free alternative to traditional Korean fried chicken sauces. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions, this dish is perfect for dinner parties, game nights, or whenever you crave restaurant-quality fried chicken at home. Ready in under an hour and packed with irresistible flavor, this recipe guarantees crispy perfection with every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks
• 240 ml Whole milk
• 15 ml Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 tablespoon Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
• 120 grams Cornstarch
• 120 grams All-purpose flour
• 2 large Eggs
• 1000 ml Vegetable oil
• 60 ml Honey
• 30 ml Rice vinegar
• 45 ml Ketchup
• 30 grams Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Minced ginger
• 60 ml Water
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons Chopped scallions

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the whole milk with lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes to create a homemade buttermilk substitute.

Step 2

Add the chicken drumsticks to the buttermilk mixture, coating well. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight for optimal flavor.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 4

Beat the eggs in another bowl. Take each chicken drumstick out of the buttermilk, shake off excess, dip into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and once again into the flour mixture. Ensure they are well coated.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 180°C (356°F).

Step 6

Fry the chicken drumsticks in batches, frying each batch for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pot.

Step 7

Remove the chicken from oil and drain on a wire rack.

Step 8

For the sauce, combine honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Step 9

Refry the chicken drumsticks for another 2-3 minutes until extra crispy.

Step 10

Toss the fried chicken in the prepared sauce until each piece is well coated.

Step 11

Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve hot and enjoy your soy-free Korean fried chicken!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2627.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	10595.8

Total Fat 981.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 155.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 570.4g
Cholesterol 1145.7mg	0%
Sodium 3548.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 318.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.9g	0%
Total Sugars 101.4g
Protein 215.0g	0%

Vitamin D 190.9IU	0%
Calcium 535.8mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 2802.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.6%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 11.6%