Erin Elizabeth
Chicken nuggets are a favorite food among children and adults alike. It’s hard to resist their crunchy exterior and soft, meaty inside.
However, what if you want to enjoy the comfort of chicken nuggets without the meat part? Some people are vegetarian or vegan or cannot eat meat due to allergies.
Luckily, due to high demand, food companies continue to evolve and now offer a variety of plant-based meats and alternatives, including chicken nuggets!
With vegan chicken nugget options increasing, it can be difficult trying to pick out the tastiest ones.
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
To help make your decision easier, here are some of the best vegan nuggets you should try on your next grocery store trip.
Impossible Chicken Nuggets
Impossible chicken nuggets look just like regular chicken nuggets with their crispy breading and white meaty-looking inside.
While the inside mimics meat, the primary ingredients consist of the following:
- Soy protein
- Wheat flour
- Sunflower oil
- Seasonings
Even without real chicken, these nuggets offer 13 grams of protein per serving, have no cholesterol, and have significantly less fat than real chicken nuggets.
They are a much healthier alternative for both you and the planet, and they taste similar to chicken.
I like to heat these in the toaster oven or the air fryer for an extra crispy crust. However, if you’re in a pinch, the microwave is okay too.
Simulate Nuggs
Simulate Nuggs has a few varieties for you to choose from, including plain nuggets, spicy nuggets, dino nuggets, and strips.
The nuggets look quite similar to the ones you can get at fast-food restaurants. Their taste is even similar, but they use the following ingredients instead of chicken:
- Wheat protein
- Soy protein
- Wheat-based breadcrumbs
If you have an allergy, such as nuts, their facilities are completely nut-free, so you can enjoy these with ease.
These delicious plant-based nuggets come packed with 11 grams of protein per serving.
I think they taste best in the air fryer or an actual fryer for a nice golden brown crust.
Alpha Plant-Based Nugget
Alpha nuggets are savory, plant-based nuggets that use a mixture that the company calls chik’n.
The primary ingredients include the following:
- Soy protein
- Wheat protein
- Breading and seasoning
These delicious nuggets are non-GMO, certified vegan, and halal. They exclude dairy and palm oil, making them a healthier alternative to typical chicken nuggets.
Alpha nuggets have 12 grams of protein per serving and have tons of flavor stemming from delicious seasonings. They also have spicy nuggets if you want more of a kick.
I think they taste exactly like regular chicken nuggets! I also love that they don’t have any cholesterol and have a good amount of fiber.
Daring Breaded Plant Chicken Pieces
Daring provides larger nuggets if you’re looking for something more than bite-sized.
Their delicious plant-based chicken pieces look like real chicken tenders but contain the following:
- Soy protein
- Corn flour and potato flour
- Spices
These nuggets have 11 grams of protein per serving, zero cholesterol, and they’re even gluten-free! So, if you have a gluten sensitivity or allergy, these are great options for you.
Their chicken-like taste will make you forget you’re eating plant-based protein, and the light coating of breading makes for the perfect crunch.
I highly recommend throwing these in the air fryer and enjoying them with a nice side of fries.
Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets
Gardein nuggets are a great source of protein, with a whopping 15 grams per serving.
Their primary ingredients include the following:
- Soy protein
- Pea protein
- Wheat-based products
These nuggets cook and taste like the real deal. It’ll make you wonder why people eat real chicken in the first place.
I love the Gardein plant-based nuggets because they’re in the shape of a ball, which reminds me of popcorn chicken.
These certified-vegan and dairy-free nuggets are extra crispy when you heat them in the oven or an air fryer, making them poppable, crunchy delights.
The combination of both soy and peas creates a deliciously savory flavor profile.
Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets
Jack and Annie’s nuggets are a delicious chicken alternative that is non-GMO and certified vegan.
It might sound surprising, but they do a twist on plant-based chicken nuggets by using jackfruit as one of their main ingredients. This is because jackfruit tends to mimic the taste and texture of meat.
Jackfruit’s fibrous texture is similar to the way chicken pulls apart, and the taste is on the savory side, mimicking the taste of beef or pork. Other primary ingredients include the following:
- Wheat flour
- Soy flour
- Spices
I was afraid to try these, but I’m so glad I did, as they are some of the best vegan nuggets I’ve had. They taste like real meat, and I love the texture of them.
Morningstar Farms Chik’n Nuggets
Morningstar Farms is one of the more well-known vegan meat producers.
They have a great selection of plant-based chicken nuggets, including plain, barbecue, ranch, and sweet mustard. Their regular chicken nuggets contain the following ingredients:
- Soy protein
- Wheat, corn, and potato products
- Spices
The crumbly, crispy crust is a great combination with the soft, juicy inside of these nuggets.
They’re so tender that it feels like you’re eating white meat chicken.
Each serving of certified-vegan nuggets has 13 grams of protein and about 39% less fat than normal chicken nuggets!
I like to air-fry these savory nuggets and enjoy them with honey mustard or barbecue sauce.
Nowadays Original Plant-Based Nuggets
If you’re looking for a soy-free plant-based chicken nugget, Nowadays offers the best vegan nuggets without soy products!
Instead of using soy protein or soybean oil, the company uses the following ingredients, among others:
- Pea protein and maple fiber
- Wheat flour
- Yeast extract
- Sunflower oil for frying
This company doesn’t use any preservatives or strange additives that you’ve never heard of.
They’re non-GMO, have only 4 grams of fat, and 13 grams of delicious stomach-filling protein.
I love that this brand uses pea protein as the primary ingredient, as peas tend to be a little healthier than soybeans.
Quorn Meatless Nuggets
Quorn is another plant-based nugget creator that uses soy-free ingredients.
These veggie nuggets use the following ingredients:
- Wheat protein
- Various other wheat products
- Spices
These tasty veggie nuggets have a great meaty texture to them. The breading on these nuggets is nice and crispy yet still light, so they don’t have a heavy feel to them.
They’re non-GMO and have 13 grams of delicious plant-based protein. Having 4 grams of fiber is also a plus to the Quorn meatless nuggets.
I like to add these nuggets to tortillas and make chicken tacos or use them as a protein topper on salads.
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
- Impossible Chicken Nuggets
- Simulate Nuggs
- Alpha Plant-Based Nugget
- Daring Breaded Plant Chicken Pieces
- Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets
- Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets
- Morningstar Farms Chik’n Nuggets
- Nowadays Original Plant-Based Nuggets
- Quorn Meatless Nuggets
What’s Your Favorite Plant-Based Nugget?
Whether you don’t eat meat or you just enjoy a good vegan chicken nugget, try these brands and tell us your favorite.
Let us know in the comments what your favorite vegan chicken nugget is, or check out other vegan snacks on our blog!
