The Best New Fast Food Items of 2022
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023Chipotle, Taco Bell and Wendy's have all rolled out new fast-food menu items. Here's a closer look!
KFC: Fried Chicken Wraps
Want to switch from chicken sandwiches to fried chicken wraps? KFC’s got you covered. You can now get fried chicken wrapped in a warm tortilla in three different styles—Classic, Mac and Cheese or Spicy Slaw. Each one has different toppings, and they start at just $3 a wrap. Unfortunately, they’re currently only available in Atlanta and surrounding areas, but hopefully we’ll see a nationwide rollout soon! Don’t forget to check out our collection of the best fast-food chicken sandwich.
Chick-fil-A: Autumn Spice Milkshake
Just because it’s cooling down, it doesn’t mean we have to give up our favorite cold treats! Chick-fil-A’s new Autumn Spice milkshake has deliciously warming cinnamon mixed with crunchy brown sugar cookie pieces, all wrapped up in creamy Chick-fil-A Icedream. Topped off with whipped cream and a cherry, it’s the perfect fall dessert.
Wendy’s: French Toast Sticks
We can’t get enough of Wendy’s breakfast menu, and this new addition is just the cherry (or syrup?) on top! The French Toast Sticks have a golden-brown crust with a delicious custardy interior, and obviously come up with a syrup dip. They’ll be out on August 15, but if you can’t wait till then, you can always make your own French Toast Sticks at home.
Sonic: Pickle Juice Slush
It may sound weird, but Sonic’s Pickle Juice Slush is a beloved fan favorite. You can get this sweet and salty frozen treat to beat the summer heat starting August 8. It’s a limited-time item, so you’d best hurry!
McDonald’s: Breakfast Bagel Sandwich
This breakfast favorite isn’t exactly new, but it is returning to McD’s after a hiatus! The Steak, Egg & Cheese; Bacon, Egg & Cheese; Sausage, Egg & Cheese, and Egg & Cheese Bagel are all back on the menu, but this seems to be a limited-time release, and is only available in limited states so far.
Sonic: Pickle Fries
Summer is all about pickles, and Sonic has definitely delivered. Their pickle fries consist of thin, lightly breaded pickle spears that are fried to a perfect crisp. Pair this with a tub of ranch and you’ve probably got our favorite side of the year! Don’t forget to pick up these pickle-flavored foods, too.
Wendy’s: Strawberry Frosty
The Strawberry Frosty has been available in Canada and at one Wendy’s in Ohio, for a while—but this is the first time it’s going nationwide. The new offering features a special strawberry puree blended with Wendy’s signature vanilla Frosty. Talk about a dessert that’s perfect for summer!
See how the Frosty compares to other fast-food milkshakes.
Shake Shack: Bourbon Bacon Cheddar Burger
If you’ve never treated yourself to a burger made with bourbon, now’s the time. Shake Shack’s latest menu creation features 100% Angus beef, white cheddar cheese, crispy shallots and of course, a bourbon bacon jam made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, all on a soft potato bun.
Taco Bell: Nacho Fries
It’s not exactly a new dish, but Taco Bell has found a formula that keeps fans happy: bringing our favorites—like the Enchirito and Mexican Pizza— back! The Nacho Fries are a simple concept: spice-dusted fries mixed with gooey nacho cheese, but somehow the Bell makes them so, so good. Nacho Fries were back on the menu in March and April, and we expect them to make a return later in 2022 as well.
McDonald’s: Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry
There’s nothing that beats a McFlurry in the summer, and lucky for us, McD’s just dropped a brand-new one. The Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry features creamy vanilla soft serve with caramel topping and chocolate-covered pretzel pieces blended throughout for that perfect hit of salty and sweet.
Wendy’s: Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit
This might be the best fast-food menu item this year. Wendy’s hasn’t added to its breakfast menu since it was launched, so we’re excited about this addition. The Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit combines a crispy chicken filet with a flaky buttermilk biscuit and tops it all off with a spicy-sweet habanero hot honey sauce. What a perfect way to wake up every morning!
Chipotle: Pollo Asado
This is the first time that Chipotle has introduced a new chicken option in 29 years. That alone makes it worth trying, but if that’s not enough to convince you, the grilled chicken’s flavor should be. It’s made with dark meat chicken seasoned with garlic, lime and guajillo peppers, and it’s been getting rave reviews.
Bonus: here’s how you can get free Chipotle during the World Cup.
Wendy’s: Frosty Sundae
If you thought nothing could beat a Frosty, Wendy’s is out here to prove you wrong. The fast-food chain dropped Frosty Sundaes in January in three different flavors. Unfortunately, they’re only being trialed in Ohio right now, where Wendy’s headquarters is based.
Shake Shack: Buffalo Chicken Burger
You can’t beat a classic cheeseburger…or can you? Shake Shack’s Buffalo Chicken Burger is giving our usual picks a run for their money, with crispy chicken absolutely covered in Buffalo sauce and topped with ranch and pickles.
McDonald’s: Fan-Inspired Hacks
The Golden Arches introduced four “new” items to the menu on January 31! McD’s used some secret menu hacks to bring these goodies to us: the Hash Brown McMuffin (Hash Brown + Sausage McMuffin with Egg), the Crunchy Double (Chicken McNuggets + Double Cheeseburger), The Land, Air and Sea (McChicken + Big Mac + Filet-O-Fish) and the Surf + Turf (Double Cheeseburger + Filet-O-Fish).
The catch? They’ll serve you the individual components—you have to assemble the food by hand. Save yourself all the trouble and try this Chicken Big Mac that everyone is talking about.
Dairy Queen: Mint Brownie Blizzard
OK, so the Mint Oreo Blizzard didn’t come back, but the Mint Brownie Blizzard was—dare we say it?—even better. With soft, fudgy chocolate brownie pieces all wrapped in DQ’s minty soft serve, this was the perfect treat for March.
Sonic: Bacon on Bacon Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger
The name is a mouthful—and so is this burger. You’ve got two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, crinkle-cut pickles, mayo, diced onions, a seriously tangy smoke sauce and of course, four whole slices of crispy, crunchy bacon. This one hit the menu in February and only stuck around until May, but we’d like to see this fast-food menu item make a return.
Arby’s: Spicy Fish Sandwich
Things always get a little fishy around Lent season, and Arby’s delivered the goods this year. The Spicy Fish Sandwich featured a crispy fish fillet topped with diced fire-roasted jalapenos, crunchy lettuce, tomatoes and tartar sauce. Don’t forget to check out the best fast-food fish sandwich and other fast-food picks for Lent.
Krispy Kreme: Berry Doughnuts
Summer means berries, and Krispy Kreme delivered. They dropped a whole bunch of berry-inspired doughnuts for summer: Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Mixed Berry Cobbler and, of course, a Mixed Berry Glazed. This might even beat out Dunkin’s summer menu for us.
