Are Chick‑fil‑A waffle fries disappearing? The quick answer: No—they’re not. What’s actually happening is twofold: a circulating TikTok rumor claimed waffle fries would be removed, and Chick‑fil‑A quietly tweaked the recipe to improve crispiness—which has stirred plenty of buzz. Let’s unpack what’s real, what’s rumor, and why many of us feel a little salty about our favorite side.
🧩 The TikTok Rumor: “They’re taking waffle fries away!”
Last summer, a viral TikTok claimed a Chick‑fil‑A employee said waffle fries would be replaced with straight-cut fries. The post snowballed—millions viewed it. But Chick‑fil‑A was quick to respond: waffle fries are not going anywhere . The TikToker even deleted her video and clarified it was false.
So yes, the rumor was real—but thankfully, so was the official denouncement.
🍠 The Recipe Shift: “Crispier, longer—and controversial”
In November 2024, Chick‑fil‑A made a subtle change: they added pea starch (a non-major allergen) to the fry coating, aiming to keep waffle fries crispier, longer.
They didn’t trumpet it—there was no public unveiling—but loyal customers got an immediate sense something felt off. And once people started searching, the secret was out via their website and social media—and reactions online followed suit.
💔 Chick‑fil‑A customers express disappointment over the new waffle fries recipe change
On Instagram and Reddit, opinions quickly poured in. Here’s what some people are saying:
“At first, I just thought I kept getting a bad batch. Then, I blamed it on the location being off, but when I visited another location with my mom, I asked her if she noticed that the fries were grainier than usual.” – Daryl‑Ann Denner (via Southern Living)
“I noticed the change and don’t like it. To me they taste more stale and crunchy. I didn’t have an issue with the old fries getting soggy. They were crispy when hot. (Source –Reddit)
“New fries taste stale. Yeah they’re crisper but they’re also drier and slightly tough. Kinda taste like fries that have been left out/old and refried, not great” -(Source –Reddit)
“I noticed they’re slightly more crispy, but I don’t hate them. Still very tasty.” (Source-Fox News)
“They have been crispier than ever … if these new fries stay as crispy … I’ll be getting fries every time.” (Source- Eat This Not That)
🔍 Why did Chick‑fil‑A tweak the recipe—and should they revert it?
Reason #1: Customer experience
Fries that go soggy fast are disappointing. The pea starch aims for more consistent texture, especially during delivery or drive‑thru wait times .
Reason #2: Ingredient optimization
Using starch blends could streamline sourcing and preparation at scale.
Should they revert?
That hinges on loyalty vs. logistics. Fans love the old flavor; operationally, the new is more reliable. But Chick‑fil‑A is actively encouraging feedback—suggesting they may revisit the change .
🔮 What happens next?
- Chick‑fil‑A’s statement: fries stay, recipe tweaked in tests, feedback welcome
- Social signal: strong fan pushback—some threaten to skip fries or the chain entirely
- Allergy alert: pea starch is new—vulnerable groups now must stay safe
- Potential future: if enough fans demand it, Chick‑fil‑A may revert—or offer dual fry options
As someone who orders fries with almost everything, I’m watching closely. A future where we choose “classic” or “crispier” waffle fries would be ideal—for me and every kind of fry lover.
✅ Final word
- No: waffle fries aren’t leaving Chick‑fil‑A.
- Yes: fries taste different—thanks to pea starch.
- Maybe: if feedback is strong enough, the old recipe could return—or a choice might be offered.
I’d love to know: have you tried the new fries? Did you sense the tweak? Drop a comment or send me a note—I’m genuinely curious how it tastes across locations.
If you found this article informative, feel free to check out our other articles as well.