Edamame Is A Delicious Breading Alternative For Your Next Cut Of Meat

We love indulging in a crispy, juicy piece of chicken or beef but, admittedly, sometimes the flavor falls flat. When a mild cut of meat is dusted with flavorless flour, dipped in bland eggs, and coated in boring breadcrumbs, the taste leaves a little to be desired. Frying fish or meat requires seasoning at every step, but the spices aren't always enough.

Instead of racking your brain trying to find a way to boost the flavor in your breading, try a different ingredient. A takeout staple eaten with soy sauce and sushi, edamame is the perfect breading alternative for meat. These Japanese beans taste like buttery peas with a nutty aftertaste, adding sweetness and depth to your chicken, beef, or pork. You can use them as breading for fried chicken or incorporate them into a different take on beef and broccoli.

Not only are they tasty, but edamame are also healthier than the breadcrumbs used for frying or baking food. Edamame contains more protein per serving than any other bean, making them great for anyone looking to increase their protein intake without sacrificing flavor. Swap out breadcrumbs for crushed edamame and transform your meat into a dish with a sweet, nutty flavoring.

When cooking with edamame, place them in the oven or air fryer to give them a crisp texture that mirrors breadcrumbs. Using frozen, shelled edamame, thaw them in cold water for about five minutes. Pat the edamame dry and place them in a bowl. Next, sprinkle olive or sesame oil, pepper, soy sauce, and Chinese five spice powder on top, then mix well and spread out in a pan or in the air fryer basket. Check on the edamame and stir occasionally to ensure all of the beans cook evenly. Most recipes call for removing them after 10 minutes, but you'll want the edamame to be crisp enough to crush easily if you're substituting them for breadcrumbs, so it's okay to leave them in a little longer.

Once they're crunchy all the way through, remove them from the oven or air fryer. Edamame tends to soften as it cools down, so crush them immediately. Using a wooden spoon, beat them until they're in small enough crumbs to use as breading. For frying, follow the same process you would if you were using breadcrumbs — dip in flour, then eggs, and then cover with edamame crumbs.