Missing Chicken? Here Are the Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets

There is nothing quite like biting into a crunchy, juicy "chicken" nugget...especially when it’s 100% animal-free. But as the rampant ramp-up of plant-based chicken nuggets and tenders cascade onto the market, how do you know which are best? A good problem to have when it comes to plant-based proteins and products is the abundance of options—but you may have severe choice paralysis choosing the perfect chicken nugget. That’s why we have done a deep dive into some of the latest plant-based nugget innovations and highlighted the best of the best.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Alpha Foods came hot onto the scene with its plant-based grab-and-go convenience meals that were an instant hit. Then came its plant-based chicken-like nuggets. Breaded in a crispy batter, they have a real nugget taste that could even fool a meat-eater, both kids and adults.

Calories 180

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 10g

Beyond Meat never fails to impress. The breading crisps up just like a traditional chicken tender while the inside remains perfectly juicy. Four tenders contain 13 grams of protein and only 2 grams of saturated fat. These tenders are ready out of the freezer in a matter of ten minutes and fry up perfectly in either an air fryer or the oven. Beyond Meat goes the extra mile to make this vegan alternative taste so much like chicken that it will fool any meat-eater.

Calories 210

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 2g

Protein 13g

Daring is known for its chicken-like tenders and the nuggets are equally real-tasting to anyone who loves a breaded outer wrapped around a seriously satisfying nugget. Our only qualm is that soy is the first ingredient, so if you are trying to avoid it this may not be the choice for you.

Calories 210

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 11g

The Classic Nuggets from Field Roast are coated with a simple breaded outer and filled with a plant-protein blend. While a bit heavy on the breading, the inside has a decent texture. Dip these in the sauce of your choice to enhance the flavor.

Calories 320

Total Fat 19g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 15g

Brought to you by Amazon, the new Fresh Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets are a convenient and affordable vegan option. But don’t celebrate just yet, because the nugget lacks authentic flavor. Despite that, Amazon has replicated the texture and crispiness of a traditional nugget. However, for people looking for a low-calorie option, four nuggets will only set you back 140 calories. So, go ahead and smother them in your favorite sauce with the calories you have to spare.

Calories 140

Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 12g

The latest Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chik’n Nuggets are hands down the best in their line-up. Just as technology gets better, so do plant-based products especially from a company like Gardein that has been in the game since 2003. These nuggets are almost reminiscent of a popcorn chicken, round with a crunchy breaded outer and plum juicy inner.

Calories 190

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 15g

Good & Gather is a sleeper hit for shoppers looking for a tasty vegan nugget without breaking the bank. Target���s private label vegan nugget provides a well-flavored option, packed with 13 grams of protein per three nuggets. For only $3.29 for a 9-ounce bag, this is an affordable way to feed the kids a plant-based lunch that they are guaranteed to love, and most won’t be able to tell the difference.

Calories 160

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 11g

Leave it to Impossible Foods to get the whole concept of Impossible Chicken totally right. If you love their burgers you will definitely appreciate their nuggets. The batter crisps up and offers a perfect encasement for the “chicken” inside. The only complaint is that the chicken alternative is not as flaky or similar to actual chicken as some of the competitors. The flavors are a touch spicy, which is pleasant without being too much, and after just one bite, you just want to eat more!

Calories 240

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 13g

Incogmeato Chiken Tenders are its latest plant-based innovation and these might be their best products yet. These tenders have a meat-like tear that mimics the texture of real chicken. With a perfectly breaded outer, the best part is the taste. These are darn good. If you are looking for a plant-based tender that meat-eaters and veg-eaters will love, Incogmeato Chik’n Tenders should be at the top of your list.

Calories 230

Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 17g

Like Chick’n Wings exceed all expectations. These plant-based wings replicate all the crunch and juiciness of traditional chicken wings. They contain a large amount of protein and fiber without excessive carbs and calories. These wings fry up perfectly in an air fryer and the oven and are made even tastier when you add the pre-packaged vegan Buffalo sauce. They make a platter for a game day whether it's MLB or the Stanley Cup finals.

Calories 190

Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 11g

Meatless Farm catches your attention with its clever name, but this quippy vegan brand will keep you coming back for the taste. The Meatless Farm Chik’n Nuggets don’t just look like the real thing, they crisp up and tear just like classic chicken nuggets. This vegan nugget starts out a little bland, but you can spice it up with your favorite dipping sauce, spices, or condiments.

Calories 240

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 11g

Morning Star’s Chik’n Nuggets are what you would expect of classic “chicken nugget.” While they may not be fooling anyone it might be chicken, it offers a plum nugget with a hefty bready and crumbly outer. Although these don't taste or look exactly like chicken, they are still a tasty option.

Calories 190

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 13g

Finding a plant-based meat with fewer than ten ingredients can be difficult. With only seven ingredients, Nowadays’ Meatless Chicken Nuggets delivers a simple, clean vegan snack. Although this plant-based nugget is jam-packed with 13 grams of protein, it has a tougher texture than most of its competitors. Still, you won’t notice that when you dunk it in your favorite dipping sauces.

Calories 120

Total Fat 3.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 13g

NUGGS calls itself “the Tesla of chicken.” The latest version of this chicken nugget simulation is truly a delight. It has an authentic beer-battered-meets-breaded seasoned layer with a precise crunch, wrapped around a juicy, “meaty” nugget. The balance of this coating to “meat” ratio is expertly engineered. Your mind may have a hard time computing that this is not a real chicken nugget.

Calories 210

Total Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 13g

People love the Raised & Rooted nuggets and will tell you they revel in nostalgia while eating since they are very close to McDonald’s’ chicken nuggets. Raised & Rooted delivers a beer-battered coating and dense “meaty” center. Each nugget is also on the larger size compared to other plant-based nuggets, so you’ll get a big juicy bite that seems like it emerged fresh from a fryer.

Calories 200

Total Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 8g

Rebellyous Foods really strives to replicate that same texture and taste like chicken, but with all the benefits of plant-based ingredients. This women-owned company has made nuggets that are coated in a crispy outside with a juicy chicken-like nugget. These will be an instant crowd-pleaser. These are available at specialty markets in the Seattle area, so go to the website and request that they bring them to the store near you.

Calories 220

Total Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 12g