We taste tested 10 different vegan chicken nuggets brands! We’re dishing out all the details on which is the best in our vegan nuggets taste test!
This post is a compilation of two different vegan chicken nugget taste tests that we’ve done. In each of these vegan chicken nuggets review, we tested multiple brands for the taste, texture, affordability, and ease of finding.
In total, we’ve tested 15 different vegan chicken nugget brands and we know that’s not all of them!
Can you believe that? No? Neither could we.
In all seriousness, we thought originally we would find 5 or 6 brands, but when we found 10, we were shocked. Now in our new video that’s even more brands available.
I will admit that we went to 6 different stores to find all of them, but only the best for you guys!
We categorized vegan nuggets and vegan tenders together for this video since they are similar and some brands don’t have nuggets and vice versus.
If you love taste tests, make sure to check our our other ideas!
Make sure that you leave a comment below letting us know what other types of taste tests we should do!
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Watch our vegan chicken nuggets taste test:
Watch our vegan chicken nuggets taste test Pt 2:
PSA:
We know that everyone has different taste buds. What we may think is the best, may completely vary from what you actually like.
You may ultimately think our best is the worst and that’s okay. We created this video as hopefully a starting point for people and we can only go off our opinion.
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What vegan chicken nuggets brands did we try?
Despite trying out 10 different brands, we know that there are even more out there. We just didn’t find them local to us. The brands that we did find and try are:
- Morningstar Farms
- Gardein
- Trader Joe’s
- Good & Gather (Target Store Brand)
- Boca
- 365 Whole Foods Market
- Dr. Praeger’s
- Nuggs
- Earth Grown Vegan (Aldi Store Brand)
- The Alpha Nuggets
- Jack & Annie’s
- Impossible
- Wunder Nuggets
- Fry’s
We also did a bonus in trying the brand Daring which makes grilled vegan chicken pieces. We found this brand when shopping for the others and thought it would be good to add in as a bonus.
I will be upfront that we had tried a few of these before.
However, we had never tried any of them side by side with other brands which we believe is really important when it comes to taste testing.
How did we do the vegan nuggets taste test?
It was really quite simple.
We cooked the vegan chicken nuggets according to the package instructions for each product.
Then, we tested them one after another in order to give our full opinion.
We were looking specifically at the taste and texture of each one and how it compared to original nuggets that we remembered.
Are any of these gluten free vegan chicken nuggets?
The Dr. Praeger’s brand is the only ones that are gluten free vegan chicken nuggets and they are technically tenders.
The bonus part of the video we also discussed the Daring brand which is more like a grilled chicken pieces. However those are also gluten free.
Are any of these vegan chicken nuggets completely Top 8 Allergen Free?
Again, it’s the Dr. Praeger’s brand that is free from all Top 8 Allergens.
Even the Daring brand that does not include gluten, does have soy, so it’s not Top 8 free.
What are the vegan chicken nuggets brands?
Morningstar Farms Chick’n Nuggets
We tried this one first in the video that goes along with this post and that’s because these were our go to before testing them beside all the others.
These are easy to find in stores like Target and Walmart, but they also remind you of the nuggets that you were used to eating before.
They are crispy on the outside, and have a great meat-like texture on the inside that isn’t too soft or mushy, but not overly chewy like some products that use vital wheat gluten can be.
Overall, we love these brand and we don’t think you can go wrong if this is the brand that you choose.
We also like that they have two sizes now – a smaller bag and a family size bag.
They do also have a buffalo one that is also great.
Allergens: Wheat and Soy
Ingredients: Water, wheat flour, soy flour, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), soy protein isolate.Contains 2% or less of wheat gluten, wheat starch, yellow corn flour, methylcellulose, potato starch, cornstarch, yeast extract, sugar, salt, natural flavors, dextrose, spices, onion powder, yeast, potassium chloride, glutamic acid, paprika (color), leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate), garlic powder, citric acid, xanthan gum, barley malt extract.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
365 Whole Foods Market Chicken-Style Plant Based Nuggets
We mentioned in here that we thought we tried these in our Whole Foods video and we went back and looked at we had.
We had completely different reactions and we have found some chatter on the internet that says that the recipe may have changed for how Whole Foods is making them.
They had a nice crispness to the outside; however the inside was soft and there was a weird aftertaste that was left.
Allergens: Wheat and Soy
Ingredients: Water, Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Reduced Iron, Ferrous Sulfate), Soy Protein Concentrate, Wheat Gluten, Expeller Pressed Sunflower Seed Oil, Potato Starch, Yeast Extract, Wheat Starch, Methylcellulose, Organic Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, Cane Sugar, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Yeast, Extractives Of Turmeric And Paprika, Salt, Leavening (Cream Of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate).
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Simulate Nuggs plant-based nuggets
Let me start off by saying we both said the package is a bit odd for us. I know that isn’t something that we normally wouldn’t focus on but having a chicken on a vegan product that we are supposed to be consuming seems so strange to us.
As far as the actual product goes, they are very very thin. Almost half the thickness of a normal nugget and even the Morningstar and other brands.
The seasoning of these is amazing but the thinness just leaves little to be desired honestly.
Allergens: Wheat, Soy.
Ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, Textured Wheat Protein, Soy Protein Concentrate, Breadcrumbs, Wheat Flour, Corn Flour, Wheat Protein Isolate, Yeast Extract, 2% of less of Modified Food Starch, Corn Starch, Tapioca Dextrin, Sunflower Oil, Potato Starch, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Methylcellulose, Sea Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Ancho Chili Pepper, Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Paprika, Dextrose, Spices (Including Celery Seed), Citric Acid, Natural Flavors
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Trader Joe’s Chickenless Crispy Tenders
The seasoning on these is great and they are thicker and more enjoyable.
They have a great meat-like tender that reminds you of chicken tenders that you likely had before going vegan.
Allergens: Wheat and Soy
Ingredients: water, breading (unbleached enriched flour [wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], whole grain flour blend [amaranth, quinoa, millet, sorghum, teff], leavening [cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate], salt, rice flour, sugar, whole grain rolled oats, oat bran, dextrose, spices, yeast, paprika extract [for color]), soy flour, textured wheat protein (wheat gluten, wheat starch, sodium carbonate, mixed tocopherols), wheat gluten. expeller pressed canola oil, methyl cellulose, natural flavors, soy protein isolate.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Earth Grown Vegan Meat Free Chickenless Tenders
These are the cheapest brand out of all of these and we also wonder if they changed these recently because they don’t taste like what we remember from having them in the past.
They are super soft texture in the mixture and are very stringy where we remember them previously having a more meaty texture.
Allergens: Wheat, Soy.
Ingredients: Textured Soy Protein, Water, Breading (enriched Wheat Flour [wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Whole Grain Flour Blend [amaranth, Quinoa, Millet, Sorghum, Teff], Rice Flour, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Leavening [cream Of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate], Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Oat Bran, Sugar, Dextrose, Spices [including Celery Seed], Yeast, Paprika Extract), Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Natural Flavors, Methyl Cellulose, Potato Starch.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders
You usually can’t go wrong with anything from the Gardein brand. They do also have nuggets but we could not find them when we were out buying products for this post and video
The outside is crispy, but not as crispy as the Morningstar and the inside is still great. You won’t be disappointed if you get these.
Allergens: Wheat, Soy.
Ingredients: INGREDIENTS: WATER, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CANOLA OIL, VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: RICE FLOUR, OAT BRAN, METHYLCELLULOSE, SALT, OATS, SUGAR, SUNFLOWER OIL, ANCIENT GRAIN FLOUR (KHORASAN WHEAT), SPICES, QUINOA FLOUR, AMARANTH FLOUR, MILLET FLOUR, POTATO STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, LEAVENING (SODIUM BICARBONATE, CREAM OF TARTAR), YEAST EXTRACT, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR), YEAST, EXTRACTIVE OF PAPRIKA (COLOR), LACTIC ACID.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Gardein Ultimate Plant Based Chick’n Nuggets Review
Opinion: The new version of the Gardein nuggets and hands down incredible. You can’t go wrong with this option.
These tasted more like homemade nuggets and we absolutely loved them. They are much smaller pieces and not shaped like traditional nuggets at all. More like popcorn chicken. It’s nicely seasoned as well.
Allergens: Soy, Wheat.
Ingredients: Water, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vital Wheat Gluten, Canola Oil, Soy Protein Isolate, Pea Protein Concentrate, Tapioca Starch, 2% Or Less Of: Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour, Textured Wheat Protein (Wheat Gluten, Wheat Starch), Methylcellulose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion Powder, Dried Onion, Fructose, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Paprika Extractives (Color), Pea Protein, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Sunflower Oil.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Boca Original Chick’n Veggie Nuggets
These nuggets were darker on the outside than many of the other brands.
The texture on these was spot on; however it wasn’t as crispy as the other ones. They could use some improvement on the seasoning department.
Ingredients: WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CORN OIL, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, WHEAT GLUTEN, METHYLCELLULOSE, SUGAR, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, YEAST, PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), SPICES, NATURAL FLAVOR (NON-MEAT, CONTAINS SOY), ONION POWDER, LEAVENING (SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), DRIED GARLIC, SUCCINIC ACID, THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1).
Allergens: Wheat, Soy.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Good & Gather Plant-Based Meatless Chick’n Tenders
We weren’t expecting to find this brand but it was there when we went to Target to get another brand for this video and post.
It wouldn’t be horrible if these were the only ones that you could find but they definitely aren’t better than many of the other ones.
It could just use some overall improvement.
Ingredients: Chik’n (Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Wheat Gluten, Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil, Yeast Extract, Potato Starch, Wheat Starch, Methylcellulose, Organic Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder), Breading (Enriched Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Unbleached Wheat Flour, Water, Rice Flour, Oat Bran, Rolled Oats, Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Cane Sugar, Spices, Quinoa, Amaranth Flour, Millet, Barley Flakes, Yeast, Cream Of Tartar, Baking Soda).
Allergens: Wheat and Soy
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Dr. Praeger’s Classic Chick’n Tenders
The outside of these is super crispy which was amazing. However, the inside left little to be desired. It had a similar texture to jackfruit that just left us unimpressed.
If you had to be gluten free or soy free then we would definitely recommend getting these just so you had something similar, but otherwise no.
Ingredients: Texturized Pea Protein (Water, Pea Protein, Pea Fiber, Sunflower Oil, Potato Starch), Rice Coating (Rice Flour, Whole Grain Amaranth Flour, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Corn Starch, Salt, Dextrose, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Yeast Extract, Spice), Water, Avocado Oil, White Bean Powder, Cauliflower Powder, Methyl Cellulose, Natural Flavors, Potato Starch
Allergens: These are the only ones that are Top 8 Free.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
The Alpha Nuggets Plant-Based Original Chik’n
This one was great. Thickness, texture, and taste were all at the top of the list.
We honestly had to do a tie breaker between the two.
It did have a slightly more seitan taste to it than other ones.
Ingredients: Chik’n (water, soy protein concentrate, canola oil, textured wheat protein [wheat gluten, wheat starch, Vitamin E], Chik’n seasoning [tapioca maltodextrin, salt, gum arabic, natural vegan flavors, grill flavor, citric acid], methylcellulose, yeast extract, natural vegan flavor), Vegan Breading (wheat flour, cane sugar, yeast, expeller pressed sunflower oil, sea salt), Vegan Batter (wheat flour, wheat gluten, corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, leavening [sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate], salt, sunflower oil)
Allergens: Soy, Wheat.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Bonus: In our second taste test we also tried the spicy Alpha Nuggets. They are absolutely delicious and very spicy!
Wunder Nuggets Review
Opinion: These are not comparable to the other brands at all, so we’re not even going to try to discuss them amongst the others. When thinking about them independently, they are delicious and more like falafel or bean bean type of nuggets. Great if you want a healthier version.
There are other varieties available.
Allergens: Top 8 Free
Ingredients: Lentils, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Chia Seeds, Canola Oil, Contains Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin Powder, Black Pepper, Coriander Powder, Baking Powder.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Jack & Annie’s Jack Nuggets Review
Opinion: We weren’t a fan of these. They weren’t terrible, but the texture was off and there is a bit of a weird taste. It was a bit mushier and not as crispy on the others.
Allergens: Soy, Wheat.
Ingredients: JACKFRUIT, WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, SOY FLOUR, CANOLA AND SOYBEAN OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF: METHYLCELLULOSE (PLANT FIBER), NATURAL FLAVOR, SUGAR, SALT, SPICES, GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, OLEORESIN (PAPRIKA, TURMERIC), BAKING SODA, YEAST EXTRACT.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Fry’s Plant Based Chick’n Nuggets Review
Opinion: We actually really enjoyed these. Andrew more than Larisha. There’s a nice crunch on the outside. Larisha was getting a weird texture between the breading and the nugget, but Andrew didn’t. Andrew did agree with Larisha that it lacked some flavor.
Allergens: Soy, Wheat.
Ingredients: Crumb: Wheat Flour, Yeast, Improving Agent (Vitamin C), Sunflower Oil. Nugget: Vegetable Protein (11%) (Soy, Wheat), Wheat Flour, Flavourings, Maize Starch, Yeast Extract, Plant Fibre, Thickener (Methyl Cellulose), Salt, Rosemary, Marjoram, Sage, Mustard Seeds, Anti-caking Agent (E551), Garlic.
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
Impossible Chicken Nuggets Review
Opinion: If you loved fast food nuggets, you will love these! It could be a little thicker, but overall the crispiness and texture of the meat was delicious. You really can’t go wrong with these.
Allergens: Soy, Wheat.
Ingredients: Water, Wheat Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil, , 2% or less Of: Potato Starch, Methylcellulose, Salt, Natural Flavors, Cultured Dextrose, Wheat Gluten, Yeast Extract, Yellow Corn Flour, Dextrose, Food Starch Modified, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Spices, Leavening (Cream of Tartar, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dried Yeast, Paprika Extract (for color), Mixed Tocopherols (Antioxidant) Vitamins and Minerals: (Zinc Gluconate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12).
See the store locator and other nutritional information here.
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Who was the winner?
Okay. I put you through all that just to make you wait until here until I announce the winner. You know, wait with baited breath, type of thing! HA!
Again, we were pleasantly surprised with all the brands we were able to find and what that means for the future of those of us that are vegan or living a dairy free lifestyle.
Now, without further ado!
Our top 3 brands would be:
- Morningstar
- The Alpha Nugget
- Gardein Chicken Tender
Rounding out the top 5 would be Trader Joe’s and Nuggs. Andrew did think Boca should have been higher but we didn’t agree on where.
Update!!!!
In our Pt 2 Taste Test – We really had a hard time deciding. We don’t think you can go wrong with Impossible, Gardein Ultimate, Alpha or Morningstar.
We think you will be happy with these brands.
Do you agree with us? Have you tried any of these ? Tell us below!
Bonus!
We found this brand when out shopping and while not a nugget or tender we thought we’d discuss it! See 33:34 of our first video to get our opinion!
Do you have an idea for a future taste test? Let us know in the comments!
Pin this vegan chicken nuggets taste test for later!
This was originally posted on 1/22/21 and updated on 10/27/2021.
Debbie
Thanks for this taste test! Yes, the 365 Whole Foods nuggets used to be my favorite but they definitely changed their recipe, Go back to your original nuggets, 365!
LarishaBernard
Glad we aren’t allowed in thinking they did something