At Fry’s, we’ve always believed in creating plant-based food that’s delicious, nutritious and accessible to everyone. Our Flexi range brings that belief to life: a line-up of eight premium plant-based products designed specifically for flexitarians and mindful meat lovers who want to eat a little less meat, a little more often, without compromising on taste or texture.
Whether you’re a curious carnivore or a seasoned flexitarian, the Flexi range makes it easy to make the meat-free switch. Curious about the difference between vegan and flexitarian eating? Read more here. And for the heart-health benefits of eating less meat, straight from our dietician, read more here.
The Flexi range is our premium collection of 100% plant-based products, made from non-GM plant proteins, designed to deliver the taste, texture and satisfaction meat-eaters expect. It’s the range we built for people who aren’t ready (or willing) to give up meat entirely, but who want an easy, delicious way to eat a little less of it — whether that’s once a week or every day.
Every product in the range is non-GMO, and most are a good source of protein and fibre, with several also gluten-free, clean label and lower in saturated fat than their meat equivalents. Three products — Smash Burgers, Spiced Pieces and Southern Fried Strips — have each picked up a Food & Home Gold Award. Together, the range proves that food with real “flex appeal” is here to stay.
All eight products below are part of the Flexi (Premium) range and are available in the freezer section at major retailers nationwide.
Our Smash Burgers deliver big, bold, smoky patty flavour with a hint of onion and honey — built to satisfy even the most committed burger fan. They’re high in protein (13.2g per serving), a good source of fibre (3.9g per serving) and lower in saturated fat than beef (1.1g per serving), and they’re ready in around 10 minutes in the air fryer, pan or on the braai. This one earned a 2024 Food & Home Gold Award — proof that plant-based can absolutely hold its own against the real thing.
Craving a crispy, crumbed chicken burger but want something a little better for you? Our Homestyle Burgers are an upgraded, juicier, more flavourful take on our award-winning original, now with an improved recipe and even more protein (15g per 100g). Ready to air fry in about 9 minutes, they’re a good source of fibre, non-GMO, and just as satisfying between two buns, chopped into a wrap, or served as a golden, crispy main.
Covered in a golden, crispy crumb, our Southern Fried Strips bring serious “fake-away” flavour to tacos, wraps, salads and party platters. They’re high in fibre and non-GMO, ready in about 9 minutes in the air fryer, and — because they’re plant-based — lower in cholesterol than most crumbed meat snacks. Southern Fried Strips also picked up a Food & Home Gold Award.
Our Original Pieces are a clean-label, gluten-free alternative to uncrumbed, white-meat-style chicken pieces — perfect for stir-fries, wraps, salads and pasta. They’re high in protein (19.6g per 100g), low in saturated fat (just 0.2g per 100g) and made without any of the additives you’ll find in some conventional chicken products, so you get that familiar texture with none of the nasties.
For the die-hard flavour fans, our Spiced Pieces offer all the juiciness you’d expect from chicken with a gentle marinade of herbs and spices built in. They’re high in protein (19.1g per 100g), gluten-free, low in saturated fat and naturally cholesterol-free — and they are also a Food & Home Gold Award winner.
This fan-favourite has been a Flexi range staple for a while now, and it’s easy to see why: a meaty texture, subtle savoury flavour, and 24g of protein per 100g (18g per serving), all naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat. It’s a soya-free option, and it makes a hearty, plant-based swap in a classic bolognese or a batch of weeknight tacos.
Our Classic Sizzlers are a 100% plant-based sausage with a satisfyingly meat-like texture, a smoky flavour profile and a juicy bite. They’re a good source of protein and fibre and low in saturated fat, making them just as at home at breakfast or bangers-and-mash as they are on the braai.
Our Braai Sizzlers are a mouth-watering evolution of the boerie, made especially for South Africans who love their braai flavours but want to eat a little less meat. Non-GMO, a good source of protein and fibre, and low in saturated fat, they bring that smoky, herby, traditional braai taste to the fire without the meat.
Our Flexi range is about more than just tasty plant-based alternatives — it’s our vision for the future of food. By creating meat-free products that genuinely appeal to meat lovers, we’re helping South Africans happily make the meat-free switch, even if it’s just once or twice a week. All eight products are available frozen at major retailers nationwide, so whether you’re a seasoned flexitarian or simply flex-curious, there’s never been an easier (or tastier) place to start.
Thinking about eating more plant-based? Here’s what you need to know.
Yes — a varied plant-based diet can easily meet your daily protein needs. The key is combining different plant protein sources across the day (legumes, soya, whole grains and plant-based meat alternatives) rather than relying on just one food.
Plant-based meat alternatives make this especially simple: Fry’s Original Pieces deliver 19.6g of protein per 100g, Pea Protein Mince 24g per 100g, and Smash Burgers 13.2g per serving — all comparable to, or higher than, many popular meat cuts. Combine one of these with a side of legumes, grains or vegetables and hitting your daily protein target is straightforward. For a deeper dive into which plant foods pack the most protein, see our full guide to plant-based protein sources.
Eating less meat is linked to three key benefits: better heart health, easier weight management and, for some people, reduced gout risk. Swapping in plant-based proteins lowers your intake of saturated fat and cholesterol while boosting fibre, which supports both your heart and your gut.
According to registered dietician Aziwe Booi, RD(SA), plant-based proteins such as legumes, soya and meat alternatives are naturally cholesterol-free and tend to be higher in fibre and lower in total fat than meat, which makes portion and calorie control easier and supports a healthy weight — a meaningful benefit given that around 69% of South African women and 31% of South African men are currently classified as obese. Meat is also high in purines, which can trigger gout symptoms, so replacing it with beans, legumes and soya-based proteins may help reduce gout risk too. Read the full breakdown from our dietician here.
The best plant-based protein sources include legumes (like lentils and chickpeas), tofu, quinoa, hemp and chia seeds, nuts, and plant-based meat alternatives — each offering a different balance of protein, fibre and micronutrients.
A cup of cooked lentils provides around 18g of protein, while chickpeas and tofu are similarly versatile staples for salads, curries and stir-fries. Quinoa, hemp seeds and chia seeds add protein alongside fibre, iron and omega-3s, and nuts like almonds make an easy protein-rich snack. For a convenient, meat-like option, products across the Fry’s Flexi range deliver anywhere from 8g to 24g of protein per 100g, depending on the product — making it simple to build a protein-rich plate without any meat at all. See our full top 10 plant-based protein sources for more.
So whether you’re a seasoned flexitarian or a curious carnivore, the Fry’s Flexi range is designed with you in mind. Look out for our new, stylish darker packaging in the frozen aisle of major retailers nationwide, and discover how easy, tasty and satisfying it can be to eat a little less meat.