This week, we tried the new VFC Popcorn Chick*n. This UK-based vegan fried chicken just launched in the US, and we are excited to share our thoughts on it with you!
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Disclosure: VFC Foods sent us bags of their vegan fried chicken to try, including this popcorn chicken. All thoughts are 100% our own. We always give a fully honest review!
VFC Foods is a collaboration between Veganuary founder Matthew Glover and chef Adam Lyons. In a press release, Glover said of their US expansion, “The US gave the world KFC, and we're keen to return the favor with VFC - an alternative which is kinder to animals and our planet."
The company says that since their UK launch in December 2020, they've saved 74,748 from being eaten. We love to see it!
VFC chicken review
VFC (Vegan Fried Chick*n) sent us three products to try:
- Popcorn Chick*n
- Chick*n Fillets
- Chick*n Bites
For this review, we tried the popcorn chicken. All three varieties are the same formula of meat and breading, just in different shapes and sizes.
The popcorn chicken is little, one-bit pieces, about the size of a grape. The filets are breaded chicken patties, perfect for sandwiches, and the bites are a more traditional, chicken nugget size.
I made these in the air fryer, of course. They cooked up perfectly at 400° F (200° C) for 12 minutes.
Y'all, these were incredible!
They were a bit on the salty side, but otherwise, the flavor blew me away. The popcorn chicken had a meaty taste and texture, and the breading was heavy on the black pepper, which gave it a flowery edge that was surprising and delightful.
I'm obsessed with the texture of these. As you can see, it has striations, like animal meat. But this chicken is totally made from plants.
I loved them dipped in a quick, dilly dipping sauce: 1 tablespoon vegan mayo, ¼ teaspoon rice vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon dried dill. The tartness from the sauce offset these perfectly.
The other thing that struck me about these was the breading. I am choosy about breading, and this one was just how I like it: light and crisp. But it also had a good balance of larger, crunchy, cornflake pieces that just gave this an over-the-top texture.
I honestly can't recommend these enough and can't wait to make them again!
The ingredients
According to the VFC Foods website, they contain:
water, rapeseed oil, wheat protein, maize, wheat flour, wheat flour, wheat gluten, wheat starch, salt, soya protein isolate, spices (contains mustard), garlic powder, flavoring (contains soy), onion powder, thickener (methylcellulose), pea starch, pea fibre, yeast extract, sugar, dextrose, potato starch, barley malt extract, herbs, celery, and leek powder.
It looks like these are seitan-based, since the main ingredients include wheat protein and wheat gluten.
Where to buy
As of right now, VFC products are only available online in the US. You can find them at GTFO It's Vegan. (Disclosure: I own stock in GTFO It's Vegan.)
Their website has a Stockists page, and I recommend checking there to see if they've added stores. I'd love to be able to grab a bag of these at the regular grocery store!
Where to listen
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Got a favorite vegan treat that you think we should cover on the podcast? Send your suggestions to [email protected]!
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Dorothy
I found them at Fresh Markets in Orlando, FL
Becky Striepe
Oh amazing! I need to look for them again in Atlanta. It sounds like they've finally hit our region!