Nando’s X Fanta Sauce
Fanta Orange is a sparkling orange-flavoured soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. Known for its bright citrus flavour and sweetness, it’s made with orange juice, sugar, and natural flavourings. While often enjoyed on its own, Fanta’s caramelising sugars and citrus acidity make it surprisingly useful in cooking — especially for sticky glazes, marinades, and sauces like the famous Nando’s × Fanta Sauce.
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Why you’ll love it
This cheeky Nando’s × Fanta Sauce is a mash-up that started as a viral staff-made experiment — a mix of Fanta orange, peri-peri spice, and garlic that delivers sweet heat and tangy flavour. Perfect brushed on grilled chicken, wings, or even halloumi.
About the original
Nando’s is a South African–Portuguese restaurant chain famous for its flame-grilled chicken and signature PERi-PERi sauces made with African bird’s eye chillies. Since opening in the UK in 1992, it’s become a household name — loved for its casual dining, spicy marinades, and customisable heat levels.
The chain has built a cult following for its sauces, ranging from mild lemon and herb to fiery extra hot. Over the years, fans have recreated countless “cheeky Nando’s” recipes at home — from spicy rice and creamy coleslaw to the legendary PERi-chips seasoning.
The Fanta Sauce emerged as a playful staff-made creation, rumoured to blend Fanta orange with the brand’s peri-peri base. It quickly became an internet sensation, celebrated for its sweet citrus twist and spicy kick — the perfect example of Nando’s fun, flavour-first approach to food.
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Ingredients
- Fanta Orange
- 1½ tbsp White wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Tomato ketchup
- 2 clove Garlic — Crushed
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Cornflour — Mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp Brown sugar — Optional for a thicker glaze
Method
Simmer the Fanta
Pour the Fanta into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes. This step concentrates the natural citrus flavour and allows some of the sugar to caramelise, creating that signature sticky sweetness you taste in Nando’s sauces.Build the Flavour Base
Stir in the vinegar, lemon juice, and ketchup, then add the crushed garlic, paprika, peri-peri or cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until fully combined. As it heats, you’ll notice the sauce changing colour from bright orange to a deeper amber — that’s exactly what you want.Thicken the Sauce
Mix the cornflour with a tablespoon of cold water to make a smooth slurry, then slowly pour it into the pan while whisking. Keep stirring over a gentle simmer for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. If you prefer a thicker glaze for brushing, continue simmering a little longer until it coats the back of a spoon.Adjust to Taste
Taste the sauce while warm — it should be sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy. Add a touch more lemon juice if you want it sharper or a teaspoon of brown sugar for a thicker, stickier finish.- Cool and Store
Remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to a clean glass jar or bottle, seal tightly, and refrigerate. It will keep for up to one week. Shake or stir before using, as natural separation may occur.
- Cool and Store
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the Heat Level 🔥 If you love spice, add an extra teaspoon of peri-peri seasoning or a splash of Nando’s Extra Hot Sauce while simmering. For a milder version, use smoked paprika only — it keeps the flavour but dials down the heat.
- Make It a Marinade Turn the sauce into a marinade by whisking in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and letting chicken or tofu soak for 2–4 hours before grilling. The Fanta helps tenderise the meat while infusing a citrusy sweetness.
- Turn It into a Dip Mix equal parts of the sauce with mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt, or crème fraîche for an easy dipping sauce for chips, wings, or halloumi fries
- Try Different Fanta Flavours 🍊 Experiment with other Fanta flavours like Pineapple, Fruit Twist, or even Lemon for unique variations. Each brings a slightly different sweetness and colour — just avoid the zero-sugar versions if you want that proper caramelised texture.
- Batch Prep & Store This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it in small portions using an ice cube tray. Pop out a cube and reheat gently when needed — perfect for quick weeknight meals.
FAQs
- Can I use Diet Fanta or Zero Sugar versions?
- You can, but it won’t caramelise or thicken the same way. The real sugar in classic Fanta helps create that glossy, sticky texture when heated. For the most authentic flavour, stick with the full-sugar version.
- How spicy is this sauce?
- It’s mild to medium heat — enough to feel the peri-peri kick without overpowering the sweetness. You can easily turn it up by adding more cayenne, peri-peri powder, or a splash of your favourite Nando’s bottled sauce.
- How long does the sauce keep?
- Stored in a sealed jar in the fridge, it’ll stay fresh for up to 7 days. Shake or stir before each use, as natural separation can occur.
- Why does the recipe use vinegar and lemon juice?
- The combination adds acidity that balances the sweetness of the Fanta and sugar, creating that tangy, restaurant-style depth of flavour. Without it, the sauce can taste overly sweet.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 42 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbs | 10 g |
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