Better Than a Bucket? How to Make KFC Fakeaway burgers at Home New
Let’s be honest, we all get that craving. It’s Friday night, you’re tired, and the thought of a spicy Zinger burger or a bucket of crispy chicken is calling your name. But then you look at the price of a takeaway for the whole family, and suddenly that craving feels a bit painful on the wallet. Plus, there’s that sluggish feeling you get after eating deep-fried food that’s swimming in oil.
What if I told you that you can make your own version at home? And not just a “this will do” version, but properly tasty KFC Fakeaway burgers that hit the spot without the grease or the hefty price tag.
Making your own KFC fakeaway chicken at home is actually easier than you think. You don’t need a deep-fat fryer, and you certainly don’t need a degree in chemistry to figure out the “secret blend” of herbs and spices. Whether you are following a plan like Slimming World or just trying to eat a bit better, making it yourself puts you in control.
In this guide, I will share how to recreate those famous menu items, from the classic chicken pieces to the burgers and even the sides for a tasty KFC fakeaway.
The Secret is in the Seasoning
The Colonel might keep his recipe under lock and key, but we can get pretty close with things you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. The trick isn’t just one spice; it is the balance of savoury, spicy, and earthy flavours.
For a great coating, you want to mix your spices with breadcrumbs (Panko breadcrumbs are best for crunch) rather than just flour. Here is a solid mix to get you started for your KFC Fakeaway burgers:
- Paprika: This gives it that classic colour and a smoky background note.
- White Pepper: This is crucial. Black pepper is good, but white pepper provides that specific “fast food chicken” heat that hits the back of your throat.
- Garlic Granules: For that savoury punch.
- Dried Herbs: A mix of thyme, basil, and sage works wonders.
- Mustard Powder: It adds a slight tang that cuts through the chicken.
- Ground Ginger: You might not expect this one, but it adds a warmth that really lifts the flavour.
You mix these with your breadcrumbs. If you like things hot, you can add some chilli powder or cayenne pepper to the mix. If you prefer the mild Original Recipe style, leave the chilli out. Check my KFC chicken recipe for the exact quantities I use.
How to Cook the Perfect Fakeaway Chicken
The method is just as important as the ingredients. To get that crispy coating that sticks to the chicken (and doesn’t fall off in the oven), you need a system.
We are going to use a three-step process: Flour, Egg, Breadcrumbs.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks for popcorn chicken, or larger strips for goujons. If you are making burgers, you’ll want to butterfly the breast (cut it through the middle so it opens like a book) or flatten it slightly with a rolling pin. This ensures it cooks evenly.
Step 2: The Station
Set up three bowls:
- Bowl 1: Plain flour.
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs.
- Bowl 3: Your breadcrumb and spice mixture.
Step 3: Coat and Cook
Dip each piece of chicken into the flour first. Shake off the excess. This helps the egg stick. Next, dip it into the egg wash. Finally, roll it in the spiced breadcrumbs until it is fully coated.
Place your chicken on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Pop them in a preheated oven at 200°C (Gas Mark 6). Depending on the size of your pieces, they will need about 25 to 30 minutes. You want them golden brown and cooked all the way through.
The Air Fryer Advantage
If you have an air fryer, it’s time for it to shine. Not only is it generally cheaper to run than an oven, but it also gives you a crunchier finish that is much closer to the deep-fried texture we want.
According to Citizens Advice, an electric oven costs around 71p an hour to run, while an average air fryer costs about 65p. It might not sound like a huge difference, but if you use it every day, that adds up to over £20 a year in savings. Plus, air fryers heat up instantly, so you save time there, too.
To air fry your chicken:
Spray the coated chicken pieces with a light coating of low-calorie cooking spray. This helps the breadcrumbs crisp up rather than burn. Cook them at 200°C. You’ll want to give the basket a shake or flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
If you are new to this way of cooking, check out this guide on how to use your air fryer for fakeaway recipes. It covers everything from onion bhajis to chips.
Building the KFC Fakeaway burgers
Now that you have mastered the chicken, you can start assembling the menu classics.
The Classic Fillet Burger
This is the standard. You need a soft sesame seed bun, a good dollop of mayonnaise, and some crisp iceberg lettuce.
- Cook a whole chicken breast (flattened slightly) using the coating method above.
- Toast your bun lightly.
- Add mayo to both the top and bottom bun.
- Layer on the lettuce, pop the chicken on top, and close the lid. Simple.
The KFC Zinger Burger – fakeaway version
The only difference here is the heat. When you are making your spice mix for the breadcrumbs, add a teaspoon of hot chilli powder or cayenne pepper. You can also mix a little hot sauce into your mayonnaise for an extra kick.
The Tower Burger or Zinger Tower Burger
This is for the hungry ones. It’s essentially a Fillet burger but with a hash brown and a slice of cheese added.
- Cook your chicken as normal.
- Cook a hash brown (you can do this in the air fryer at the same time as the chicken if you have space).
- Assemble: Bun bottom, salsa or ketchup (optional), chicken fillet, slice of cheese (the heat from the chicken should melt it), hash brown, lettuce, mayo, bun top.
You can find my full fakeaway KFC recipe here, which breaks down the specific measurements for the spice mix.
Don’t Forget the Sides
KFC Fakeaway burgers aren’t a meal without the sides. Here is how to replicate them without the guilt.
1. The Fries
Forget soggy, greasy chips. You want crispy, fluffy fries.
- Cut white floury potatoes into thin chips.
- Pop them in the air fryer or oven.
- Spray with oil and season with a little salt and maybe some garlic salt.
- Cook for about 30 minutes, shaking every 10 minutes or so to ensure they cook evenly.
2. The Gravy
KFC gravy is legendary. It’s thick, peppery, and savoury. Making it from scratch with meat juices is great, but if you want a quick hack that tastes almost identical to the KFC style, try Mayflower Southern Style Gravy Mix. You can find it in stores like B&M or online. You just mix the powder with water and heat it up. It counts as about 3.5 Syns per portion if you are tracking that sort of thing. Perfect for on your KFC Fakeaway burgers or dipping your fries in.
3. The Coleslaw
This is often the downfall of a healthy meal, as traditional coleslaw is often drowned in full-fat mayonnaise. But it is so easy to make a fresh, crunchy version at home.
- Finely shred some white cabbage and onion (red or white).
- Grate some carrot.
- Mix it all together with fat-free natural yoghurt and a spoonful of light mayonnaise.
- Add a splash of white wine vinegar for that tangy kick.
You can find a proper recipe for a healthy coleslaw alternative here. It’s much fresher than the tubs you buy in the supermarket.
4. Corn on the Cob
This is the easiest side of all. You can boil them for 5-8 minutes, or wrap them in foil and bake them in the oven. If you have the air fryer on, you can even toss them in there for 10 minutes.
Important: Food Safety Tips
When we are dealing with raw chicken, we need to be careful. Nobody wants their fakeaway night to end with an upset stomach. These KFC Fakeaway burgers need to be cooked properly.
Defrosting Chicken
If you have pulled a block of chicken out of the freezer to make KFC Fakeaway burgers, you must ensure it is fully defrosted before you start coating it.
- The Fridge Method: This is the safest way. Put the chicken in a bowl on the bottom shelf of your fridge (so it doesn’t drip on anything) and leave it for 24 hours.
- Don’t wash it: The Food Standards Agency advises against washing raw chicken. Splashing water can spread bacteria onto your sink, taps, and worktops. Cooking it properly will kill any bacteria.
If you are stuck and need dinner now, check out this guide on how to safely defrost chicken for faster methods, like using cold water.
Cooking Temperatures
You cannot just guess if the chicken is cooked. The outside might look golden and crispy, but the inside could still be pink.
According to UK food safety guidelines, you need to ensure the core temperature of the meat hits 70°C for at least 2 minutes.
The best way to know for sure is to buy a digital meat thermometer. They are cheap and take the guesswork out of cooking. Poke your KFC Fakeaway burgers with a thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. If it hits 75°C, you are good to go and safe to eat.
Vegetarian KFC Options
If you don’t eat meat, you don’t have to miss out on these KFC Fakeaway burgers. This spice coating works brilliantly on other things.
- Quorn Fillets: These work really well as they have a similar texture to chicken. Just remember they often cook faster than raw chicken, so keep an eye on them.
- Tofu: Press a block of firm tofu to get the water out, slice it into chunks, and use the same flour-egg-crumb method. It makes for a great “chicken” nugget alternative.
- Halloumi: Breaded halloumi fries? Yes please. you could make them into KFC Fakeaway burgers using halloumi as the burger just as easily.
KFC Fakeaway Burgers – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in advance?
You can prepare the coating mix in a jar and keep it in the cupboard for months. However, once you have breaded the chicken, it is best to cook it straight away. If you leave raw chicken coated in egg and breadcrumbs in the fridge, the coating can get soggy and slide off.
Is this KFC Fakeaway burgers recipe gluten-free?
The chicken and spices are naturally gluten-free, but the flour and breadcrumbs are not. You can easily swap these for gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. The texture is usually just as good!
Can I freeze the cooked chicken?
Technically, yes, you can freeze cooked chicken. However, the crispy coating of the KFC Fakeaway burgers might go a bit soft when it defrosts. If you do freeze it, make sure you reheat it in the oven or air fryer to try to get some of that crunch back. Ensure it is piping hot throughout before eating.
How do I stop the breadcrumbs from burning?
If you find your coating is getting too dark before the chicken is cooked inside, your oven might be too hot. Turn the heat down slightly (try 180°C) and cook it for a little longer. If you are using an air fryer, make sure you spray the breadcrumbs with oil; dry flour/crumbs burn very quickly.
Is this actually healthier than KFC?
Generally, yes. A standard takeout meal is deep-fried in industrial oil and often comes with large portions of fries and sugary drinks. By baking or air frying at home, using lean chicken breast, and controlling the amount of oil and salt, you are significantly reducing the calorie and saturated fat content. Plus, if you add the homemade coleslaw and maybe a corn cob, you are getting some veggies in too!
Give It a Go
Next time the takeaway urge strikes, try making this instead. You’ll save money, you’ll feel better for it, and honestly, there is something very satisfying about pulling a tray of golden, crispy chicken out of the oven that you made yourself.
Get the family involved in the “production line” of dipping and coating your KFC Fakeaway burgers, it’s a fun way to get kids cooking, even if it does get a bit messy!
Have you tried making KFC Fakeaway burgers before? What is your secret ingredient? Let me know in the comments!
