The chain is also releasing more than 20 new menu items throughout 2026. Here's the inside scoop on every flavorful bite!
I had thought that the Oscars were going to be March’s biggest awards show, but then Taco Bell came along and tried to prove me wrong. The chain is clearly taking its own motto very seriously, because in 2026 it truly wants us to “Live Más!”
Taco Bell just hosted Live Más Live: A Night at the Palladium, which you can stream on Peacock. Part awards show, part announcement of new and returning menu items, it was a star-studded evening full of fun and flavor.
Of all the announcements, however, one stood out to me as the most exciting. Taco Bell is bringing a fan-favorite item back to its menu permanently. Here’s the inside scoop.
Which Taco Bell menu item is becoming permanent?
No, it’s not the Mexican pizza. (Maybe one day!) This one is a big win for french fry fanatics: The chain’s nacho fries are now a permanent menu item! Even in a competitive potato market, the nacho fries stand out for their flavor and texture. And they’ll also be available with new flavor, too: Flamin’ Hot Nacho Fries, which come with a Flamin’ Hot dipping sauce.
What else is coming to Taco Bell in 2026?
The other standouts include:
- Cheesy Gordita Crunch Sliders
- Diablo, Doritos Cool Ranch and Flamin’ Hot Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets
- Mexican Pizza Empanadas
- Creme Brulee Crunchwrap Sliders
- Mountain Dew Baja Midnight Pies
But perhaps nothing is more innovative than the brand’s new edible Fire Queso Sauce Packet. It’s basically a mini empanada shaped like a Taco Bell sauce packet. You can bite into it, drizzle the queso over your meal, and then eat the packet. This is the kind of sustainable, no-waste innovation I can get on board with!
And Taco Bell is riding the spicy foods trend with its Firecracker Burrito. This menu item includes a new ingredient: Cayenne Poppin’ Crystals. As someone who loves to customize everything on the Taco Bell app, I genuinely can’t wait to add those Cayenne Poppin’ Crystals to all my favorite foods.
When will the Taco Bell menu items be available?
The new chocolate fudge and caramel empanadas are the first of these new items already available at Taco Bell locations nationwide. The other items will be rolling out over the next few weeks and months, so be sure to check out the menu at your local Taco Bell to stay up-to-date. Some of these will be permanent additions to the menu, but most are limited-time offers that will probably disappear quickly. What a great time to think outside the bun!
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