Chick-fil-A’s waffle potato fry. Image: TODAY
Chick-fil-A recently unveiled a new recipe for its famous waffle fries, promising that they will "stay crispier, longer." The fast food chain, based in College Park, Georgia, introduced a slight change to the original recipe, maintaining the same great taste but with a few tweaks. Despite the company’s assurance that the new recipe is still just as delicious, some customers are not too thrilled about the change.
The updated recipe includes a new coating for the fries, which now contains pea starch. Chick-fil-A explained that the pea starch is a gluten-free, neutral-flavored powder derived from yellow peas. This ingredient is commonly used in a range of food products such as noodles, gummies, sauces, soups, and even baked goods. The fast food chain emphasized that this modification does not affect the taste and that the fries will remain free from any of the nine major allergens.
“Food safety and quality are our top priorities,” Chick-fil-A stated. “We take great care in adhering to stringent food safety procedures.”
The new recipe has stirred up some mixed reactions, especially on social media, where customers have expressed varying opinions. While some people have praised the change, claiming the fries stay crisper for longer, others have criticized the decision to alter a beloved classic. A popular food reviewer, Daym Drops, did not hold back in his critique. He called the fries "basic," adding, "These fries are basic. We've been here before. I'm talking about dumb basic... old Ugg boots, leaning to the side, making their way to Starbucks basic."
On social media, responses have been equally divided. Some people have expressed uncertainty about the change, with one person commenting, "I’m not sure how I feel about it." Others, however, are more optimistic and are willing to give the new recipe a try, hoping it lives up to the original.
This recipe change comes after Chick-fil-A’s March 2024 announcement about a shift in its chicken sourcing. The company revealed that it would allow some antibiotics in its chicken, reversing its initial policy of using only antibiotic-free chicken. Starting in Spring 2024, Chick-fil-A will adopt a "No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine" policy to maintain its supply of high-quality chicken.
Chick-fil-A’s new waffle fries recipe has certainly caught attention, but whether it will become a new fan favorite remains to be seen. While some fans may miss the original flavor, others are willing to give the updated recipe a chance.
