FAST food fans have hit out at KFC for changing its fries recipe - and some say the new chunkier chips are even worse than its old ones.
The fried chicken chain swapped its skinny fries for rustic-looking skin-on chips this month after admitting its old ones were "letting them down".
8
But fans aren't convinced by the new-look 99p fries with some customers on Twitter saying they're even worse than the old skinny chips, which they didn't like either.
One diner gave them "3/10" and called them "shocking," while another said: "Who knew KFC fries could get any worse... These new chunky ones taste like micro chips."
Not everyone hates the new fries though.
A KFC spokesman said the chain had been "blown away" by the feedback on its new chips.
8 8
8
8
8
8
In response to criticism on Twitter, KFC's customer care Twitter account wrote: "Honestly, our old fries were letting us down. These new fries are the result of feedback.
"We have the best chicken in the world, we need the best fries too."
A spokesman added: “We know change is hard, but we saw the tweets and listened to our customers – the old fries just weren’t good enough.
"We’ve spent a long time working on our new fries and we’re sure the new thicker, chunkier, tastier version will become a hit with our fans.”
KFC changed the recipe after admitting its old recipe wasn't good enough.
It said it had been inspired by a diner called Charlie Burness, who went to KFC for her mother's birthday four years ago but afterwards the family agreed the restaurant's chips had let them down.
More on Money
Last month, the fast food chain got in touch with Charlie to ask if they could pay Twitter to promote her tweet.
It was planning to change the recipe of its chips to now sell thicker, rustic fries with the skins left on - and they saw her tweet as a chance to reveal why.
Ittested out its new rustic chips on the publicfor more than a year.
You can try the new fries for yourself free of charge tomorrow as KFC will be giving away portions for Black Friday.
MeanwhileKFC launched its Christmas advert last week, which had some fans in tears of laughter.
KFC has more than 900 branches in the UK. You can find your nearest store using its branch finder tool.
Finger Lickin' Facts About KFC
HERE's what your need to know about the chain:
- KFC’s chicken on the bone comes from farms in the United Kingdom and Ireland. There’s over 500 of them, and every single one is Red Tractor assured.
- There’s only one secret KFC won’t share and that’s Colonel Sanders’ Secret Recipe. The blend of herbs and spices is a secret that only a few people in the world know. The 11 herbs and spices are sourced from specific regions around the world to ensure that it remains a secret.It is locked away in a vault in Louisville, Kentucky.
- KFC sells around 14 million pieces of chicken a week, that’s approximately 700 million pieces a year.
- KFC sells about 134 million Chicken Wings a year, making wings the UK’s favourite KFC pick.
- KFC came to Britain in 1965, with the first restaurant opening in Preston, Lancashire, and there are now nearly 900 restaurants across the UK with 24,000 employees.
- About 280 million portions of KFC fries are sold every year, which is equivalent to half a billion potatoes and would fill 80 Olympic sized swimming pools.
KFC releases The Good, The Bad and The Ugly themed Christmas advert with tagline, 'Turkey comes and goes, but chicken's here to stay'
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at money@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the Sun Money's Facebook group for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.
FAQs
Why did KFC change the fries? ›
Food Unwrapped viewers have slammed KFC for spending 18 months changing its chips - only to make ones that taste 'worse than before'. The fried chicken chain switched its skinny fries for chunkier, skin-on chips back in November to satisfy customer demand.
Are McDonald's fries better than KFC? ›The perfect recipe for hot chips
Most of our Facebook followers commenting on the poll said they love the thicker cut of KFC's chips, but there were some die-hard McDonald's fries fans who enjoy a thinner chip. The common consensus seemed to be that if fries are cooked fresh and seasoned well, they are delicious.
KFC's new fries are coated with a blend that includes onion, celery, and carrot powder.
Why do KFC not salt their chips? ›We don't salt them after cooking them so you can have them how you like them.
Why does KFC taste different? ›KFC adds the infamous flavor-booster monosodium glutamate, or MSG, to dozens of items, as detailed on the company website. It also uses foods naturally high in effectively similar free glutamates, like chicken. MSG enhances salt taste and salt-taste pleasure while also triggering the brothy umami taste.
Why did KFC stop selling fries? ›Unfortunately, KFC did not provide a timeline for the return of the fries, only saying that they will be "back soon". KFC's fries were last taken off the menu in February due to a "global supply disruption", and were temporarily replaced with waffle hash.
What brand fries does McDonald's use? ›McCain Foods make McDonald's French fries to our gold standard specifications, which means that they are not quite the same McCain fries you find in the freezer section of your grocery store. Our cooking process is also different from how you might cook fries at home.
Who has better fries than McDonalds? ›I'll keep this one short: Wendy's fries are better than expected. They're thicker and crispier than McDonald's fries, that's for sure. They also taste of their starchy coating, which makes them craggy and crispy in a way that's reminiscent of a good frozen french fry from the grocery store.
What is healthier McDonald's or KFC? ›The result: McDonald's wins
The more varied menu and healthy options, as well as classic, gut-busting fare, make it the ideal spot to play fast and loose with your nutrition plan.
MSG is also used by franchises like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chick-fil-A to enhance the flavor of foods. For example, Chick-fil-A's Chicken Sandwich and Kentucky Fried Chicken's Extra Crispy Chicken Breast are just some of the menu items that contain MSG (8, 9).
What kind of potatoes does KFC use for fries? ›
The National Potato Council and KFC in Kenya have identified the Markies potato variety as a suitable variety that farmers in that country can now grow to supply the US-based fast-food chain with locally sourced French fries. Certified Markies potato seed is produced in Kenya by Agrico Potato Services Africa (PSA).
What oil are KFC fries? ›Cooked in: canola oil (dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent), TBHQ).
What is the unhealthiest thing at KFC? ›Which Is The Unhealthiest Food At KFC? The unhealthiest item on their menu is chicken pot pie. It contains 790 calories, 46 grams of fat, 37 grams of saturated fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, and 2,120 milligrams of sodium.
Why is KFC chicken not crispy? ›The chicken is amazingly moist — thanks to a special device. Colonel Sanders' secret here is the use of a pressure fryer, something that can be dangerous without the right equipment and methods. The pressure fryer not only lets KFC cook chicken faster and with less oil, but it also locks in moisture.
What is the lowest sodium item at KFC? ›A low-sodium meal at KFC is possible if you watch portion sizes and order carefully from the sides menu. To create a meal that's lower in sodium, select grilled chicken wings and order them with coleslaw.
What is the secret ingredient in a KFC? ›Earlier this month, a woman from New Zealand discovered that Kentucky Fried Chicken's (KFC) famous seasoning contains monosodium glutamate (MSG). She posted her discovery on social media, sparking outrage.
Why Popeyes is better than KFC? ›Though KFC's chicken is a bit meatier, the breading is the star of the show at Popeyes, and it is the pretty amount of greasy without coating your hands and tongue. Popeye's chicken is texturally satisfying and doesn't overwhelm you with oil when you bite into it.
Does KFC use frozen chicken? ›Well you'd be wrong! The truth is that our whole chicken pieces are delivered fresh into our restaurants throughout the week and each individual piece is hand-breaded by a trained cook all day, every day.
Why KFC replace fries with wedges? ›Due to a similar “global supply disruption” back in February, the fries were taken off the menu and temporarily replaced with Waffle Hash. This time around, instead of Waffle Hash, we get to enjoy wedges that are nicely crisp on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside.
Does KFC still deep fry their chicken? ›All about the fryer
KFC swears by high-temperature, industrial-strength pressure fryers for their extra-crispy skin. While you won't be able to deep fry with your at-home pressure cooker, you can still recreate the KFC crunch with a deep fryer, a Dutch oven, or a heavy-bottomed pot.
What did KFC substitute for fries? ›
This is a waffle hash that KFC has been quietly substituting its french fries with thanks to a "global supply disruption".
What brand of fries does Chick-fil-A use? ›To support our growth in recent years, Chick-fil-A also purchases Waffle Potato Fries™ from The J.R. Simplot Company.
Does Bill Gates sell potatoes to McDonald's? ›Bill Gates is the largest private farmland owner in the US — and according to a new report from NBC, potatoes that make McDonald's fries grow in his fields.
Are McDonald fries real potatoes? ›Yep. The most common potatoes we use for McDonald's fries include the Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody—varieties known for producing a flavorful fry that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Who makes the world's best french fries? ›The honor of the best overall french fry goes to Wendy's. These fries were made with unpeeled potatoes, so there was a little bit of potato skin at the end of each fry for texture.
What fast food restaurant is the healthiest? ›- Chipotle. Chipotle Mexican Grill is a restaurant chain that specializes in foods like tacos and burritos. ...
- Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A is a fast-food restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches. ...
- Wendy's. ...
- McDonald's. ...
- Ruby Tuesday. ...
- The Cheesecake Factory. ...
- KFC. ...
- Subway.
According to The New York Post, UK Michelin-star chef Gareth Ward declared that the McDonald's in Welshpool, Wales, was not only the best McDonald's in the world, but one of the top three restaurants in the country. And there's a bevy of Google reviews that agree with him.
Is KFC healthier than Popeyes? ›Popeye's Breasts pack in the most salt, with 1330 mg of sodium (nearly a day's worth) in every 440-calorie breast, and KFC's Extra Crispy Breast isn't far behind, with 1140 mg sodium per 490-calorie breast. Both have nearly as much fat as protein, with a carb content close to that of a serving of pasta.
What's the healthiest meal at McDonald's? ›- Egg McMuffin.
- Fruit & Maple Oatmeal.
- Filet-O-Fish.
- Apple Slices.
- Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait.
- Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad.
- McChicken.
- Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich.
KFC's Chicken Zinger emerged as the best in the non-vegetarian burger category for its juicy, tender chicken meat. The Veg Whopper from Burger King was chosen as our Top Pick in the vegetarian burger category. Burger King also won in the best fries section.
What does MSG do to your stomach? ›
An excessive consumption of MSG can cause a "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" and gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers. Therefore, the maximum dose of MSG should be reconsidered taking into account its influence on the secretory capacity of the stomach.
Does Texas Roadhouse use MSG? ›Yes, some of our dishes do contain MS. Scroll down and click on Careers to learn more about vacancies.
Does Pizza Hut still use MSG? ›In 2015, Pizza Hut became the first national pizza restaurant to remove artificial flavors and colors from its core pizzas. On top of that, Pizza Hut has already eliminated partially hydrogenated oils (also known as artificial trans fats) and MSG.
Where do KFC buy their potatoes? ›KFC imports potatoes from Egypt. The restaurant says the country observes set standards that improve the potato quality, something the Kenyan farmers don't do.
Does KFC use milk in their potatoes? ›Heads Up! The Biscuits, Cornbread Muffin, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy at KFC do all contain milk.
Are KFC mashed potatoes made with real potatoes? ›The original KFC mashed potatoes ingredients are a little different from the ones we use here. In the restaurant, they're made with potato flakes. The powdered mixture also contains a good bit of sodium, between the salt and MSG, as well as milk and other seasonings.
Does Chick-fil-A fry their fries in chicken oil? ›Then several different options were tested, and in the end, Chick-fil-A opted to cook its Waffle Potato Fries® in canola oil, says Worrell. Similar to peanut oil, the seed-based canola oil has a neutral flavor, allowing the sweet taste of the potato to be savored by the palate.
Does KFC use eggs in their batter? ›Breaded with: Wheat Flour, Salt, Soy Flour, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Monosodium Glutamate, Spice, Nonfat Dry Milk, Onion Powder, Dextrose, Extractives of Turmeric and Extractives of Annatto. Breading Set in Vegetable oil. Contains Milk, Wheat, Egg and Soy.
Which oil does McDonald's use? ›Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them. Want to hear more about our fry ingredients?
Is Chinese food good for you? ›Chinese food is a favorite cuisine among many people around the world, including myself. However, most Chinese dishes have high amounts of fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and sodium, which are terrible for your heart and general health. Look closer at the menu to find some healthier options, or indulge on special occasions!
Is Kentucky Fried Chicken fried or baked? ›
The KFC Original Recipe is a secret mix of ingredients that fast food restaurant chain KFC uses to produce fried chicken.
What are KFC mashed potatoes made of? ›Mashed Potatoes: Potato (Dry), Salt, Maltodextrin, Contains 2% Or Less Of Whey Product (Whey, Calcium Caseinate, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate), Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Cottonseed), Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides, Spice, Artificial Color, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Calcium Stearoyl-2- ...
Why put mustard on chicken before frying? ›Putting mustard on chicken before rub will help the seasonings adhere to the skin. Most of the time, the acrid flavor will dissipate during the cooking process. If you're not a fan of mustard, a layer of cooking spray, oil, or melted butter will give the chicken skin similar binding properties.
Is Crispy chicken real chicken? ›The Crispy Chicken Sandwich comes in three variants: classic, spicy and deluxe. Each starts with an all-white-meat chicken fillet topped with crinkle-cut pickles and served on a toasted, buttered potato roll.
Why is my chicken not crispy when I fry it? ›The heat is too high or too low.
The skin won't be crispy, and it won't be a memorable eating experience. To make sure that your oil's temperature remains steady at around 350 degrees F, keep an instant-read kitchen thermometer nearby so you can continually monitor the oil's temperature.
Instead, choose a veggie-filled appetizer, like spring rolls, lettuce wraps, or steamed dumplings, to keep sodium down. Stick to steamed instead of fried choices to keep sodium levels down. Breaded and batter-fried items, in particular, are often higher in sodium.
Is KFC the healthiest fast-food? ›KFC was the most calorific the fast-food chain on the list, with an average of 987 calories per meal offered. Burger King, McDonald's and Subway were around 700kcal.
Did KFC change their potatoes? ›“We can confirm our Potato and Gravy recipe has not changed.
Why did KFC get rid of their potato wedges? ›When KFC announced they were testing fries dusted with their 11 herbs and spices, fans overwhelmingly rejoiced, but now, they're learning that the special menu addition has come with a cost, and that cost is the end of potato wedges.
What happened to KFC wedge fries? ›KFC Removes Potato Wedges, Adds New Secret Recipe Fries to Menu. Whether your go-to fast food restaurant is Popeyes, Chick-fil-A or McDonald's, you probably have a favorite menu item that you would be devastated to have taken off. For many a KFC customer, that item was their legendary potato wedges.
What did KFC take off their menu? ›
In an effort to add new items to menus, the fast food chain is removing five items that have become mainstays — Kentucky fried chicken wings, Nashville hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and popcorn chicken, according to USA Today.
Does KFC put milk in their mashed potatoes? ›Sides. Heads Up! The Biscuits, Cornbread Muffin, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy at KFC do all contain milk.
What is KFC gravy made of? ›What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.
Why did KFC get rid of wings? ›KFC is getting rid of popcorn chicken, Kentucky fried chicken wings, and chocolate chip cookies. The pare-down is part of an effort to streamline customer experience, a spokesperson told USA Today. The chain is also bringing back its fan favorite bun-less fried chicken sandwich.
What is potato and gravy made out of KFC? ›Mashed Potato With Gravy: Potatoes, Whey Product (Containing: Whey Solids, Nonfat Milk, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate), Salt, mono and Diglycerides, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Sodium Bisulfate, natural Flavors, Natural Colors, Citric Acid, and Spice.
Why is KFC not crunchy? ›Some insist that you should let the coated chicken sit before frying. Not at KFC—their rule is “from flour to fryer.” If the chicken is left to sit, the breading will soften for a less-than-crispy result and the skin will fall off the chicken too easily.
Can you order a bucket of fries in KFC? ›The Crispy Fries are thick-cut and seasoned to savory perfection, so we're not surprised if a regular-sized serving or even a large isn't enough. Well, we're letting you in on an open secret: You can get a bucket-full of French fries at all branches for P150.
Did Burger King get rid of chicken fries? ›They were discontinued in the United States in 2012, but continued to be sold in some markets, such as Italy. In August 2014, they were reintroduced for a limited-time offering (LTO) in North America, leading to their permanent re-addition to the menu in March 2015 in over 30 countries globally.
What is the most ordered KFC item? ›One of KFC's top menu items is its Kentucky Fried Wings. As a chicken establishment, it's no surprise that they offer fried wings. What is this? However, it's not entirely typical for a fast food restaurant to serve bone-in fried chicken wings, especially not good ones.
Why are people boycotting KFC? ›A top Chinese consumer group has called for a boycott of a KFC meal promotion, saying it encourages food waste.
Does KFC use old food? ›
KFC throws out unsold food at the end of the day.
But we have holding times on everything, so if it's not sold within a specified time it's thrown (the holding time changes for each product). So product is constantly cooked through out the day; this is why sometimes there a wait or we run out late at night."