EV’s Take: A perfect plant-based chicken nugget
I’ve never met a nugget I didn’t like. There’s something very satisfying about a crispy little ball of goodness. Whether it’s a tofu nugget, cauliflower nugget, or any other kind of nugget, chances are I will like it. I can say that I may be a bit more forgiving with any plant-based nugget product review because I honestly just love nuggets. As long as they’re crunchy, I’ll probably like it. And Jack & Annie’s jack nuggets fit the bill for a deliciously crispy plant-based nugget!
With that disclaimer out of the way, I still review these with a critical eye. Even though I’ll still happily eat a mediocre nugget, I’ll be honest if they’re mediocre.
Fortunately, no such conversation about mediocrity needs to happen about Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets. These are really tasty plant-based chicken nuggets with a crispy exterior, good flavor, and tender jackfruit “meat” in the middle. They are easy to prepare and crisp up perfectly in the oven. They’re nutritious, too! Jackfruit is a great source of protein and fiber, making these a great choice for a snack you can feel good about.
As I mentioned from the outset, the only thing that may be off about these nuggets is a subtly bitter undertone. My husband felt that maybe they could have used a pinch of extra seasoning, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to bring down our personal rating of the product. We thoroughly enjoyed them and would absolutely keep them in our freezer for a quick snack or simple dinner with roasted vegetables.
What is jackfruit, anyway?
Jackfruit is a tree in the same family as fig trees, mulberry trees, and breadfruit trees. It is native to India, though some may argue that its origins can be traced back to Malaysia. This fruit has been around for a long time, with some sources stating that its cultivation goes back some 6,000 years. There are two main varieties of jackfruit. Ripe jackfruit is most similar to fruits you may already be familiar with, bringing a sweeter flavor similar to a combination of banana, pineapple, and mango. It can cooked for desserts or eaten raw.
Young jackfruit, on the other hand, is what most people refer to when talking about it as a meat replacement. It has a relatively neutral flavor, and you won’t pick up as much sweetness as you would with a ripe jackfruit. The texture is meaty, and it shreds easily, making it an ideal option for shredded plant-based meat dishes like meat-free carnitas or pulled pork.
Jackfruits are BIG, too! One jackfruit tree in India produced a fruit that weighed 144 pounds! That’s a whole human! They’re also an ideal plant from a sustainability perspective. If you read Jack & Annie’s story, they note that a single jackfruit tree can produce 200 jackfruit a year, with each fruit weighing up to 100 pounds. Despite the impressive fruit yield, each tree requires less than a cup of water per week to keep it growing.
Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets Ingredients
The ingredient list is short and sweet, with jackfruit being the primary ingredient. If you have allergies, you’ll want to be mindful that they contain wheat and soy. Beyond that, they have a few spices, a few binding agents, and a coloring agent.
Here’s what’s in each crispy jack nugget:
Jackfruit, Water, Wheat Flour, Soy Flour, Canola Oil, Less Than 2% of: Spices, Natural Flavors, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Yeast, Salt, Sugar, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Lactic Acid, Vinegar, Methylcellulose (Plant Fiber), Dextrose (for Color), Paprika Extract.
Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets Nutrition
| Serving Size | 4 Jack Nuggets |
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | .5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 7g |
As a reminder, I am not a doctor or a dietitian. For me, though, I can see these nuggets fitting into my lifestyle and my personal health goals. They’re a well-rounded snack with a little protein, a little fiber, and not too much sodium. You may want a nugget with more protein, depending on your goals. In this case, Impossible Chicken Nuggets may be a better choice. It really depends on what your goals are, but there is nothing in these nuggets that gives me pause. The ingredients and nutritional values seem really balanced, and they taste great.
How to cook the crispy jack nuggets
These are really easy to prepare. You can use an air fryer, oven, or microwave. While Jack & Annie’s recommends the air fryer, the oven worked perfectly for me.
- Air fryer: Cook 4 nuggets at 400ºF for 9 to 11 minutes. If you want to make the entire bag, simply increase the cooking time to 10 to 12 minutes until the nuggets are crisped to your liking. Flip the nuggets once halfway through cooking.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 450ºF. Arrange the nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet or on a nonstick baking sheet. Transfer to the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once midway through cooking.
- Microwave: Cook the nuggets on high for 1 minute 30 seconds. Flip them once halfway through cooking and let stand for 2 minutes before enjoying. Depending on your microwave, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the nuggets are cooked to 165ºF.
How did EV eat Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets?
I told you I love nuggets, so I didn’t get fussy with these. Since I don’t have an air fryer, I used the oven method, which worked perfectly. My hubris did get the best of me, and I used a regular baking sheet with no parchment paper. A couple of nuggets stuck a tiny bit, but that was my fault, and it didn’t really hinder my experience at all.
Beyond that, I simply cooked them until they were crispy and golden brown and served them with ketchup. It was a 10/10 snack!
Where can I buy Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets?
While many of Jack & Annie’s products are available on Amazon, the crispy jack nuggets seem to be out of stock. You can find them at other online retailers like Thrive Market and Imperfect Foods. I bought them at Sprouts through Instacart. They’re also available at Target, Whole Foods, and Wegmans. Use their store locator to find a retailer near you.
What do you think?
Have you tried Jack & Annie’s Crispy Jack Nuggets? Love them or hate them? Tell us in the comments!
