Plant-based burgers dominate the meat-free aisle. But there’s one food that has captivated consumers of all ages for decades: chicken nuggets. Wrongfully accused of being just for picky kids, chicken nuggets are convenient and delicious (who says that only children should experience the artistic simplicity of a meal of nuggets, fries, and ketchup?). Like all plant-based foods, vegan chicken nuggets have gone through an evolution—from dry and fabriclike in their earliest iterations, to the juicy, crispy deliciousness of today. With so many options available now, where do you start? We’ve got you covered. Here we rank the best vegan chicken nuggets. Picking the perfect dipping sauce is on you.
The Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets, Ranked
1. MorningStar Farms Chik’n Nuggets
Originally introduced in 1975, MorningStar Farms has been around. Now owned by the Kellogg Company, the meat-free brand is still going strong. Although vegetarian, the brand aims to be completely vegan by 2021. Their Chik’n Nuggets are made from soy protein and pack 12 grams of protein per serving—about four nuggets. It also comes in BBQ flavors.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 3
2. Nuggs
Nuggs is a newcomer to the world of plant-based meat, and it’s already gained a cultlike following. Its company, Simulate, treats its soy protein-based nuggets as sort of a piece of technology: they’re currently on version 2.0 after making improvements to the recipe. They contain more protein than chicken nuggets at 13 grams per serving, 40 percent less fat, and no cholesterol. According to the brand, it uses “advanced soy protein technology” to create a realistic vegan chicken nugget.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4.5
Texture: 5
Nutritional Value: 4
3. Gardein Crispy Golden Chick’n Nuggets
Conagra-owned Gardein launched its first frozen products in 2009 and has been a favorite due to all of its options. These meat-free nuggets are made from wheat and soy protein, delivering 14 grams of protein per serving. Fans suggest broiling them for about a minute after baking to ramp up the crispiness.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4.5
Texture: 5
Nutritional Value: 5
4. Alpha Foods Chik’n Nuggets
These vegan chicken nuggets are made from soy and wheat protein, packing 10 grams of protein and 6 percent of the daily value of iron per serving. According to reviews, these taste almost exactly like a meat-based chicken nugget, from the crispy exterior to the tender center. It’s even winning over meat-loving spouses, according to one review: “They taste pretty close to a regular chicken nugget, my husband ate them and typically he doesn’t like plant based meat.”
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 5
Texture: 5
Nutritional Value: 3.5
5. BOCA Chik’n Veggie Nuggets
Another stalwart vegetarian brand hailing from the 1970s, BOCA launched in 1979 with a veggie burger. It was acquired by Kraft Foods in 2000. Today, it makes meatless ground beef, skillet meals, and vegan chicken nuggets made from soy protein. These crispy nuggets bring 14 grams of protein and 10 percent of the daily value of iron.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4
Texture: 4
Nutritional Value: 5
6. 365 Everyday Value Breaded Chickenless Nuggets
These affordable Whole Foods brand vegan chicken nuggets are made from wheat protein and are seasoned with paprika and rosemary. A serving contains 9 grams of protein and 6 percent of the daily value of iron.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 2
7. Quorn Vegan Nuggets (UK)
The story behind mycoprotein, the fungus-derived hero ingredient of Quorn products, is a fascinating one. These nuggets are soy-free and pack 12 grams of protein per serving. Unfortunately, Quorn’s chicken nuggets in the U.S. still contain eggs, but the brand has committed to capturing the vegan market with all future product releases.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 4
Texture: 4
Nutritional Value: 3
8. Yves Veggie Nuggets With Whole Wheat Breading
Made in Canada, Yves Veggie Nuggets are made from soy and wheat protein with added omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturates. They contain 14 grams of protein per serving, plus vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, thiamine, niacin, and zinc.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 3
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 5
9. Fry’s Vegan Chicken Nuggets (UK)
Another UK option, the Fry Family Food Company’s Chicken-Style Nuggets are made from soy and wheat protein and contains 13 grams of protein per serving. The family-owned brand suggests serving these with a creamy, dairy-free dip and sweet potato wedges.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 3
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 5
10. Dr. Praeger’s Classic Chick’n Tenders
Kudos to Dr. Praeger’s for making their Chik’n Tenders allergen-friendly. These vegan nuggets are gluten-free and soy-free. They’re made from a blend of texturized pea protein and coated with rice and amaranth flour instead of wheat. A serving contains 14 grams of protein and it contains 25 percent of the daily value of iron.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 3
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 5
11. Wegmans ‘Don’t Be Chicken’ Meatless Breaded Chicken Style Nuggets
Wegmans now makes vegan beef crumbles, meatballs, chicken cutlets, and nuggets. Its Chicken-Style Nuggets are made from soy protein and contain 13 grams of protein per serving.
Rankings (on a scale of 1 to 5)
Flavor: 3
Texture: 3
Nutritional Value: 3
