Tofurky Ham & Cheese Style Pocket Review

I recently tried the Tofurky Ham & Cheese Pocket which is, of course, vegan. When I was younger I used to be obsessed with Hot Pockets, so I’m very glad to see a similar type product that is vegan. How does this one measure up?

THE CRUST

The crust looks really hearty and flavorful but isn’t anything magnificent, in my opinion. It’s actually a bit dry and bland, unfortunately. Perhaps Tofurky is trying to make a healthier “pocket” but it could use a little grease or something!

Also, it’s a bit too much of the bread and not enough filling. Now, I love love love bread, but for something like this there needs to be the proper balance of bread to filling. It’s not overwhelming, but I just feel the breading is a bit too much; maybe they need to add a tiny amount more of the filling inside for a better balance.

THE FILLING

The filling inside the pocket is really good! It’s perfectly juicy and flavorful enough that I don’t mind too much the lackluster outside bread part.

The cheese is really savory and good, no strange flavor and no aftertaste. Just the rich, cheesy flavor of comfort food! It’s not a strange sticky mess or the texture of glue, and it’s not runny liquid as some vegan cheese I’ve experienced. The “ham” bits are little slices that have a nice springy, meaty texture but not tough or hard to chew. They have a great flavor that the cheese complements well.

THE PRICE

At upwards of $4 for one pocket, the price is quite high. For a non-GMO vegan frozen convenience food that’s a healthier alternative to the more popular frozen pocket food, it is fairly reasonable but still a bit pricey.

OVERALL

While the vegan Tofurky Ham & Cheese Pocket is really tasty and satisfying, it could use a few improvements. I will definitely purchase this item again. It has 230 calories in one pocket and is high in protein and calcium with other nutrients. It’s a bit high in sodium as with most frozen convenience foods. There is no cholesterol in this item.

Because of the price and highly processed list of ingredients (ingredients provided under the pictures below), it is nice to have only as an occasional treat. I think even non-vegans would enjoy this item.

Tofurky also make pockets in a Pepperoni Pizza Style and a Turk’y, Broccoli & Cheddar version.

INGREDIENTS

Ham & Cheese: Crust: (Whole wheat flour, water, wheat flour enriched unbleached (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), organic cane sugar, non-GMO canola oil, dough conditioner (wheat starch, garlic powder), salt, yeast, ascorbic acid)

Filling: Water, Tofurky Ham (water, vital wheat gluten, organic tofu [filtered water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride], expeller pressed non-GMO canola oil, vegan natural flavors, potassium chloride, oat fiber, sea salt, carrageenan, wheat starch, granulated garlic, organic cane sugar, konjac, lycopene [from tomatoes], dextrose, purple carrot juice, vegetable glycerin, maltodextrin, spices, xanthan gum, natural smoke flavor), Vegan Cheddar Cheese (water, arrowroot flour, expeller pressed non-GMO canola oil, non-GMO coconut oil, pea protein, sea salt, vegan natural flavors, potassium chloride, gum arabic, nutritional yeast, lactic acid, konjac, vegetable glycerin, titanium dioxide [a naturally occurring mineral], xanthan gum, lycopene [from tomatoes], purple carrot juice, citric acid, riboflavin), rice starch, vegan natural flavors, citric acid, black pepper, natural smoke flavor, xanthan gum, maltodextrin)

Topping: Yellow cornmeal, paprika