OREO and I have a pretty consistent history: the brand launches a new cookie, I write about how much I enjoy it, and the cycle continues. That streak might be in jeopardy today. I am about to dive into the first-ever sweet-and-savory OREO; stay tuned for a follow-up review of the Banana Pudding and Deep Fried OREO cookies once I recover from this one. Let’s determine if chicken and waffles belong in the form of a sandwich cookie.
Are these chicken-flavored cookies actually vegetarian?
Yes. I reached out to OREO directly to confirm that the “natural flavors” listed in the nutrition facts do not contain any undisclosed meat-based ingredients. (If you were unaware, that is both legal and common! McDonald’s French fries are the most prominent example.) The cookie manufacturer verified that these treats are 100% vegetarian, even if the packaging does not explicitly state it. In their defense, this is the first time such a distinction has been necessary. I imagine there will be a note on the packaging for any future… meat-flavored OREO cookies? Perhaps we can just avoid that concept entirely.
As best I can tell without performing surgery on the snack, this sandwich cookie is composed of three parts. Waffle-flavored wafers surround a dual layer of maple syrup and fried chicken-flavored creme. But how does it taste? Thanks to OREO providing an early pack, I am about to find out.
Pros: There is a lot to discuss here. To delay the inevitable, let’s talk about the aroma that greets you when you open the package. These cookies smell almost exclusively like waffles and maple syrup, with only a faint hint of something savory beneath that breakfast-inspired sweetness. You could easily trick someone into believing this is just a maple waffle-flavored sandwich cookie. I am not suggesting you do that, but if you do, send me the video.
As for the flavor, well… It is accurate. This cookie tastes like genuine fried chicken and baked waffles with syrup. OREO has created the cookie equivalent of Willy Wonka’s Thanksgiving dinner gum. I have never had a cookie remind me of a specific meal before, but this truly brought me back to a fantastic plate of chicken, waffles, and grilled watermelon I got in Knoxville at Not Watson’s back in 2023…
Cons: That is not to suggest this cookie is as good as the best chicken and waffles I have ever had, but it is certainly aiming for that ballpark. This is going to be a very divisive cookie, folks. I enjoy the complex, disparate savory and sweet layers in this cookie quite a bit; my girlfriend said it’s the worst thing I’ve ever had her sample (<a href="https://shoppixy.com/which-is-better-for-software-product-teams/” title=”Which Is Better for Software & Product Teams?”>which is no small statement) and that it reaffirmed her vegetarian stance. Since sharing my early samples with select family and friends, I have discovered that enjoying this cookie makes me the minority.
