How To Fill Your KFC Double Down Void
Back in 2010, when KFC first announced it would be releasing a bacon and cheese sandwich with two pieces of fried chicken as the bread, most people thought it was an April Fool's joke (via CNBC). However, much to everyone's surprise, the Double Down ended up being a real thing and even stayed on the menu longer than its intended limited-time run (via CNN Business).
Though the Double Down was briefly brought back in 2014, that was the last time it ever appeared at a KFC in the US. In February 2021, KFC Italy announced the sandwich's temporary return, and KFC Canada followed suit later that year (via Hypebeast). In July 2022, KFC New Zealand released a similar Gravy Double Down with bacon and "gravynaise" (via Facebook). KFC customers in America, meanwhile, are still waiting for theirs. Perhaps the day the Double Down becomes a permanent KFC offering will eventually come, but if you're too hungry to hold out hope, these sandwiches are the next best option.
Normie Downer from Norma's Burger Bar
Just like KFC's Double Down, the Normie Downer from food truck Norma's Burger Bar features bacon, cheese, and two pieces of buttermilk fried chicken as the buns. But instead of Monterey Jack cheese, this sandwich uses American cheese and is slightly sweeter than KFC's since it uses maple bacon. It's also much meatier as it includes two smashed hamburger patties in addition to sliced pickles.
Double Double Down from Chick-Fil-A secret menu
You won't see it listed on the regular menu, but this Double Double Down from Chick-Fil-A's secret menu gives KFC a run for its money. The sandwich consists of three chicken patties — two of which are the buns — as well as lettuce and tomatoes (via Eat This, Not That). Per Insider (via YouTube), you can order it with as many as four patties and add pepper Jack cheese and bacon, so it resembles the KFC version.
Honey Butter sandwich from Roaming Rooster
The Honey Butter sandwich from chain Roaming Rooster may technically have buns, but there's still a much higher chicken-to-bread ratio compared to a normal chicken sandwich. Chicken is truly the star of Roaming Rooster's Honey Butter sandwich because aside from the buttermilk fried chicken, the only other ingredients are honey butter and cheese. If you think you'll miss the bacon that's usually in the KFC Double Down, you can instead get The Club, which is like the Honey Butter sandwich but with Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing.
Chicken Schnitzel Double Down from Golden Pigeon Beer Hall
The Chicken Schnitzel Double Down from Golden Pigeon Beer Hall is like KFC's beloved sandwich but with a German twist. Two chicken cutlets (schnitzels) act as buns, but rather than Monterey Jack cheese and bacon, the inside is filled with Swiss cheese, grainy mustard, and sauerkraut. If the Double Down made it to KFC Germany, it would probably taste a lot like this.
Homemade Double Down
Most people know that a Double Down consists of fried chicken, bacon, and Monterey Jack, but it also has something called Colonel's sauce on it, a KFC spokesman shared in 2014 (via CNN Business). This sauce is different from both KFC Sauce and the discontinued Finger Lickin' Good Sauce (via Timeout), and it no longer appears on the menu, but according to Hellthy Junk Food, it's fairly simple to replicate with ketchup mayonnaise, Frank's Red Hot, cayenne, garlic powder, and horseradish.
When you have the sauce down, all you really have to do is fry up some chicken and a few slices of bacon. (KFC uses white meat filets, the KFC spokesman told CNN Business.) Sandwich the bacon and cheese in between the fried chicken, slather on some Colonel's sauce, and enjoy your homemade Double Down; it's that easy.