Fry’s Smash Burger & Chicken-Style Burger Review

There are two new burger patties on Aussie shelves – and this time it’s not just another faux meat gimmick. Fry’s Family has released both a Chicken-Style Burger and a Smash Burger, now available in the freezer section at Woolworths for just $7.10 per pack of 4. With mock meat options slowly disappearing from supermarket shelves lately, it’s refreshing to see Fry’s continuing to bring out new products.

As a busy vegan dad, I'm always on the hunt for easy, affordable freezer meals that can feed the family without fuss – so I was keen to give these a go.

Cooking Made Easy

One of the big wins here is how simple these are to prepare. The Fry’s Chicken-Style Burger can be cooked in the oven, air fryer, or on the pan, while the Fry’s Smash Burger is best suited to the fry pan or barbecue. I went with the pan method – 8–10 minutes on medium heat, flipping occasionally, and both patties crisped up beautifully.

The Fry’s Family Chicken-Style Burger especially developed a great crunch on the outside – ideal for that classic crispy chicken burger vibe. The Fry’s Family Smash Burger, though a little thinner, also held up well during cooking and developed a nice sear.

Fry’s Chicken-Style Burger:

This one is made with a soy, wheat, and pea protein blend, and uses bamboo fibre to help create a stringy, chicken-like texture. While the coating was spot-on – crunchy, golden, and delicious – the inner texture was a bit of a mixed bag.

There’s a slight stringiness at first, but it quickly turns soft and slightly mushy. Flavour-wise, I found it bland – missing the saltiness or seasoning you’d typically expect from a chicken-style patty. It’s definitely a product that would need a bold sauce or salad to bring it to life in a burger bun.

Fry’s Smash Burger:

The Smash Burger had a stronger hickory BBQ flavour, which I appreciated. It’s also made from wheat and soy protein, but thankfully doesn’t carry that overpowering soy taste some mock meats do. The texture was very similar to the chicken burger – again, a little soft and lacking that meaty chew or satisfying bite.

The patty is also quite thin, which might disappoint those looking for a thicker, juicier burger. But if you’re after a quick, tasty option with smoky vibes, this one holds its own a bit better than the chicken version.

Final Thoughts: Are They Worth It?

If you’re after convenient, plant-based burger patties at a budget-friendly price, these Fry’s plant based burgers are definitely worth trying. They’re not perfect – the texture could be improved, and the flavour on the Chicken-Style Burger is underwhelming – but at $7.10 for four patties, they’re decent value compared to similar products.

Fry’s is one of the few brands still consistently putting out new vegan products in Australia, which is something I massively respect. Their Popcorn Chick’n is a long-time favourite in our house, and I still miss their Smoked Hot Dogs which sadly disappeared from Aussie shelves. However, they recently released their Fry’s Family Chick’n Style Strips and Steak Style Strips, which are a fantastic option.

Watch the full taste test video here —>