No Fuss Fakeaway: KFC
The Ultimate Homemade KFC Fakeaway Guide (UK) – Burgers, Fries, Gravy, Sauces & Original Chicken
There's something about a KFC takeaway that just hits the spot. Whether it's a Zinger Burger, a bucket of Original Recipe chicken or those addictive seasoned fries, it's comfort food at its finest.
If, like me, you grew up in a house where almost everything was made from scratch, it's easy to forget that shortcuts aren't cheating—they're just smart cooking. Not every fakeaway has to involve mixing eleven herbs and spices or spending hours in the kitchen. Sometimes the best meals come from combining good-quality supermarket convenience foods with a few homemade touches.
This is my ultimate KFC fakeaway guide for UK cooks, packed with easy copycat sauces, seasoned fries, homemade gravy and even a simple way to recreate crispy KFC-style chicken. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or you're feeding the whole family, these recipes will help you enjoy all your KFC favourites at home for a fraction of the cost.
The Best Supermarket KFC Alternatives
One of the easiest ways to create a convincing KFC fakeaway is to start with frozen chicken from the supermarket.
Iceland has some fantastic options, including:
Southern Fried Boneless Chicken Thighs
Mega Feast Selection Box
Boneless Chicken Box
Zing Chicken Fillet Burgers
Breaded Chicken Fillet Burgers
Most major UK supermarkets also stock their own versions in the freezer aisle, making it easy to build your own takeaway feast without deep frying anything yourself.
The secret is elevating them with homemade sauces, seasoned fries and the right toppings.
Homemade KFC Pepper Mayo
This creamy pepper mayonnaise is inspired by the sauce used in many KFC burgers.
Ingredients
6 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp white wine vinegar
½ tsp sugar
Pinch of fine salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Mix everything together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Homemade KFC Spicy Mayo
Perfect for burgers, wraps or dipping fries.
Ingredients
5 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Salt to taste
Simply stir everything together until smooth.
California Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Sweet, creamy and perfect with chicken strips.
Ingredients
4 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
4 tsp Dijon mustard
6 tbsp honey
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp xanthan gum
Salt to taste
Blend all the ingredients using a stick blender or mini food processor until smooth.
Homemade KFC Fries Seasoning
KFC's fries are all about the seasoning. Starting with frozen skin-on fries done in the oven or air fryer makes recreating them incredibly easy.
Fries Seasoning
4 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp chicken stock powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried sage
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp white pepper
½ tsp sugar
Blend everything together until well combined.
Cook your fries until crisp and golden before tossing them with a light coating of seasoning while they're still hot. Add more seasoning to taste.
The Perfect Burger Lettuce
One little detail that makes homemade KFC burgers taste authentic is the shredded salad.
For each burger combine:
A generous handful of shredded iceberg lettuce
A small handful of finely shredded white cabbage
Alternatively, buy one of the ready-made salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, cabbage and carrot.
Easy Homemade KFC Zinger Burger
For an easy homemade Zinger Burger, use Iceland's 2XL Zing Chicken Fillet Burgers or your favourite spicy chicken fillet.
Layer everything in this order:
Toasted brioche bun
Pepper mayonnaise
Lettuce mixture
Crispy chicken fillet
Slice of burger cheese (optional)
Top bun
Serve with seasoned fries and your favourite dipping sauce.
Sticky BBQ Drip Burger (July 2026 Special)
Recreate the limited-edition Sticky BBQ Drip Burger at home.
You'll need:
Breaded chicken fillet burger
Toasted brioche bun
Pepper mayonnaise
Lettuce mix
Smoky barbecue sauce
Burger cheese
Crispy fried onions
Coat the cooked chicken in barbecue sauce before assembling the burger for that sticky finish.
Easy KFC-Style Gravy
The quickest homemade version couldn't be simpler.
Mix equal quantities of chicken and beef gravy granules according to the packet instructions before seasoning generously with white pepper and black pepper.
Alternatively, use Southern Style Mayflower Gravy Mix and simply add extra white pepper for a flavour that's surprisingly close to the takeaway version.
Original Ranch Rice Bowl (Serves 2)
This makes a brilliant quick lunch or dinner.
Cook two breaded chicken fillets and slice them.
Meanwhile:
Char one drained tin of sweetcorn in butter with Cajun seasoning and salt.
Microwave one pouch of Cajun rice.
Divide between two bowls.
Add mixed salad leaves.
Spoon over your favourite coleslaw.
Add the Cajun sweetcorn.
Top with sliced chicken.
Finish with ranch dressing.
Simple, filling and packed with flavour.
Easy Homemade Original Recipe Chicken
If you want to make your own KFC-style chicken at home without measuring dozens of spices, this is by far the easiest method I've found.
Using Southern Style Mayflower Gravy Mix as part of the coating creates a beautifully savoury flavour with very little effort.
Coating
Mix together:
300g plain flour
100g cornflour
Several heaped spoonfuls of Southern Style Mayflower Gravy Mix
1 tsp baking powder
Generous pinch of salt
Plenty of white pepper
Marinade
1kg chicken thighs
300ml buttermilk
Plenty of salt
Cover the chicken completely with the buttermilk and salt mixture and refrigerate overnight.
Coating the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and place it into the seasoned flour.
Using one hand for the flour, repeatedly lift, fold and press the flour onto the chicken to create craggy, crispy edges.
Shake off the excess flour before quickly dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk and coating it in the flour for a second time.
Place each piece onto a wire rack and leave for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the coating stick and produces a crispier finish.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to its highest temperature.
Spray every piece generously with oil, making sure there are no dry patches.
Place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking tray.
Bake for:
20 minutes
Turn over
Cook another 20 minutes
Turn again
Cook for a final 15 minutes
Air Fryer Method
Preheat your air fryer.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
Cook skin-side down for 20 minutes before turning and cooking for another 20–30 minutes until the coating is deeply golden and crisp.
Always check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C before serving.
Top Tips
Let the coated chicken rest before cooking for the crispiest coating.
Spray generously with oil to prevent dry flour patches.
Make double batches of the sauces—they keep well in the fridge.
Serve with homemade coleslaw, corn on the cob and buttery brioche buns for the full fakeaway experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a KFC fakeaway in the air fryer?
Absolutely. Air frying produces wonderfully crispy chicken with far less oil than deep frying.
Which supermarket sells the best KFC-style chicken?
Iceland is a favourite thanks to its wide range of Southern Fried and Zing-style products, but Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's all have excellent alternatives.
Can I freeze homemade KFC chicken?
Yes. Once cooked and cooled completely, freeze for up to three months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until piping hot.
What's the secret to crispy homemade fried chicken?
Marinating overnight, double coating the chicken and allowing it to rest before cooking are the three biggest secrets to achieving that signature crispy coating. You can absolutely fry your fries and chicken but lots of people opt out of deep frying nowadays.
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