The Best New Fast-Food Items of 2023

McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's have all rolled out new fast-food menu items. Here's a closer look at the best of the best!

1 / 20

Honey Pepper Pimento Cheese Chicken Sandwich Courtesy Chick Fil A
Courtesy Chick-Fil-A

Chick-fil-A: Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich

You know and love the original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. It’s a fast-food legend! But add tangy pickled jalapenos, pimento cheese and velvety honey to that crispy chicken, and we have a new Chick-fil-A classic in the making.

2 / 20

KFC is introducing the new Ultimate BBQ Fried Chicken Sandwich at participating KFC restaurants nationwide. Serving BBQ in every bite, the new BBQ fried chicken sandwich features an Extra Crispy 100 percent white meat filet topped with hickory smoked bacon, KFC’s signature honey BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, melted cheese and pickles, all on a premium brioche bun.
Courtesy Kentucky Fried Chicken

KFC: Ultimate BBQ Fried Chicken Sandwich

KFC has taken its iconic fast-food fried chicken to new levels with the introduction of its Ultimate BBQ Fried Chicken Sandwich. The sandwich stars KFC’s honey BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, melted cheese and pickles on a brioche bun. I mean, how could we not want one? This sandwich isn’t around for long, so head to your KFC stat for barbecue goodness.

3 / 20

Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Biscuit Courtesy Chick Fil A
Courtesy Chick-Fil-A

Chick-fil-A: Spicy Chicken Biscuit

Just because the summer weather’s scorching doesn’t mean we want to stop eating spicy food. Chick-fil-A’s Spicy Chicken Biscuit has returned following a long hiatus. It’s no wonder why, since the breakfast sandwich offers a bold and delicious spicy chicken breast tucked in a Chick-fil-A biscuit. Pair this with a peach milkshake for the perfect balance of spicy and sweet.

4 / 20

Wendys Frosty Cream Cold Brew Courtesy Wendys
Courtesy Wendy's

Wendy’s: Frosty Cream Cold Brew

The Wendy’s Frosty is legendary, and a Frosty Cream Cold Brew is the ideal way to have a Frosty for breakfast. Each cup has legit cold-brew coffee and sweet vanilla Frosty creamer, plus customers can choose from three flavors—rich vanilla, chocolate or a new caramel syrup. It’s a permanent addition to Wendy’s menu, too. What better way to celebrate that feat than with a caffeine boost?

5 / 20

Starbucks Pistacho Cream Cold Brew Courtesy Starbucks
Courtesy Starbucks

Starbucks: Pistachio Cream Cold Brew

Starbucks decided to kick off 2023 by making it the Year of Pistachio, thanks to the comeback of the Pistachio Latte and the drop of an all-new Pistachio Cream Cold Brew. This cold brew is flavored with vanilla syrup and, of course, topped with silky pistachio cream cold foam. It may be nutty, but we’re obsessed.

6 / 20

Mcdonalds Jalapeno Double Courtesy Mcdonalds
Taste of Home, Via McDonalds.com

McDonald’s: Jalapeno Sandwiches

McDonald’s gifted us with a spicy summer thanks to the arrival of not just one but three jalapeno menu items. First we have the Jalapeno Double. This burger favorite isn’t exactly new, but it is returning to McD’s after almost a decade-long hiatus. Its comeback joins a new release too, of the Jalapeno Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese. And if you’re in a breakfast mood, that’s where the Cheesy Jalapeno Egg McMuffin comes in. This McSummer definitely has a kick to it!

7 / 20

Pizza Hut Philly Cheesesteak Pizza Courtesy Pizza Hut
Courtesy Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut: Cheesesteak Pizza

To add to the bingo card of new fast-food items we weren’t expecting, take a look at Pizza Hut’s Cheesesteak Pizza. It’s everything you love about a cheesesteak on a pizza, as the chain says. If you’ve ever wanted to try grilled sirloin steak, green bell peppers, onion, and Parmesan oregano seasoning all on some creamy sauce, this is the ideal pizza order.

8 / 20

Italian Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich Courtesy Burger King
Courtesy Burger King

Burger King: Italian Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

If you’re a fan of a fast-food comeback, then swing by Burger King. Of course, we’re referring to the Italian Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich. This order features crispy chicken, mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce on a potato bun. Pretty much chicken Parm on a sandwich, and we’re not mad about it!

9 / 20

Wendys Summer Menu Strawberry Frosty Courtesy Wendys
Courtesy Wendy's

Wendy’s: Strawberry Frosty

The Strawberry Frosty was such a hit when it launched and now it’s made a summer to Wendy’s across the country. The beloved 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.

10 / 20

Nacho Fries
Courtesy Taco bell

Taco Bell: Nacho Fries

It’s not exactly a new item, but Taco Bell has a formula that keeps fans happy: Bringing back old favorites—like the Enchirito and Mexican Pizza. The Nacho Fries are a simple concept: spice-dusted fries dipped in gooey nacho cheese, but somehow the Bell makes them so, so good.

Nacho Fries were back on the menu in May and June, and we expect them to make a return later in 2023 as well.

11 / 20

McDonald’s: Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry

There’s nothing that beats a McFlurry in the summer, and lucky for us, McD’s dropped a brand-new one. The Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry features creamy vanilla soft serve with crispy cereal mix and chocolate peanut butter cookie pieces blended throughout for that perfect hit of creamy and sweet.

It’s not the only McFlurry making a splash this year. Fans also flocked to the Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry this spring.

12 / 20

Burger King Fiery Nuggets Courtesy Burger King
Courtesy Burger King

Burger King: Fiery Nuggets

This might be the most sizzling fast-food menu item of 2023! Burger King took its classic chicken nuggets and added a hot pepper twist. That’s why Fiery Chicken Nuggets truly lives up to their name. The Fiery Nuggets are coated with a spicy glaze full of cayenne peppers, bird’s eye chili and black pepper.

13 / 20

fans will be able to get their favorite Chipotle Quesadillas with Monterey Jack cheese, their protein of choice, and fresh fajita veggies via the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com Courtesy Chipotle
Courtesy Chipotle

Chipotle: Fajita Quesadilla

Chipotle now offers the best of both worlds—a fajita and quesadilla—in a single mouthwatering order. The dream combo is a result of a viral TikTok trend. This new fast-food menu item is only available digitally so check out the app or Chipotle’s website to order.

14 / 20

Starbucks Frozen Lemonade Lineup Courtesy Starbucks
Courtesy Starbucks

Starbucks: Frozen Lemonade Refreshers

For 2023, Starbucks made summer more epic than ever before by adding a frozen twist to some of its classic refreshers. The addition of Frozen Lemonade Refreshers to its summer menu was genius! Not to mention, delicious. The move took classic refreshers like Strawberry Açai, Pineapple Passionfruit and Mango Dragonfruit and offered them as blended icy lemonade options. Starbucks customers had been ordering these for years through a secret menu hack, but finally they’ve forged a path as official menu options and we’re here for it.

15 / 20

Wendys Ghost Pepper Ranch Chicken Sandwich Courtesy Wendys
Courtesy Wendys

Wendy’s: Ghost Pepper Chicken Sandwich

It must be the summer of spice, because Wendy’s decided to join in on the crusade to turn up the heat. The fast-food chain dropped the Ghost Pepper Ranch Chicken Sandwich and Ghost Pepper Fries in May. Talk about a fiery addition.

16 / 20

Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuit With Sausage Courtesy Whataburger
Courtesy Whataburger

Whataburger: Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuit

You can’t beat a classic biscuit…or can you? Whataburger’s Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuit is giving our regular fast-food breakfast sandwich picks a run for their money, with a flaky buttermilk biscuit baked with shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapenos.

17 / 20

Grimace Birthday Meal And Shake Courtesy Mcdonalds
Courtesy McDonald's

McDonald’s: Grimace’s Birthday Meal

The Golden Arches introduced a meal that took over the internet this year thanks to the comeback of a nostalgic character—Grimace. Grimace’s iconic purple color inspired the creation of a striking purple shake along with a limited-time birthday meal. If you can’t get enough Grimace, pre-order an adorable Grimace McNugget Buddy thanks to a McDonald’s and Funko pop collab.

18 / 20

Dq Summer Blizzard Menu 2023 Courtesy Dairy Queen
Courtesy Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen: Summer Blizzards

OK, so with all the spice this summer, we need a way to cool down. And what better way to chill than with a Dairy Queen Blizzard? Luckily, there are plenty of summer Blizzard options—Peanut Butter Puppy Chow, Oreo Brookie, S’mores, Cotton Candy and Choco Dipped Strawberry. Now we know next time a sugar craving strikes, DQ is the place to be.

Here’s why Dairy Queen flips each Blizzard.

19 / 20

Taco Bell has also brought back the fan-favorite Beefy Crunch Burrito
Courtesy Taco Bell

Taco Bell: Beefy Crunch Burrito

Taco Bell loves to bring back old favorites as new fast-food items. The Beefy Crunch Burrito made a beefy, crunchy comeback this year! Flamin’ Hot Fritos with seasoned beef, sour cream, rice and nacho cheese. You won’t find a burrito like this anywhere else.

20 / 20

Krispy Kreme Biscoff Doughnuts Courtesy Krispy Kreme
Courtesy Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme: Biscoff Doughnuts

What’s better than a plain doughnut? A doughnut topped with cookies, that’s what. This iconic Krispy Kreme and Lotus Biscoff collab from January does just that. Choose between a Biscoff Iced Doughnut, Biscoff Cookie Butter Cheesecake Doughnut and Biscoff Cookie Butter Kreme Filled Doughnut. Yum!

Jessica Kaplan
Jessica has been in the digital publishing space for two years. She is a former assistant editor of Taste of Home, and specializes in reporting on the latest trends. She covers food, restaurant and grocery store news, viral culinary TikTok trends and recipes, celebrity recipes, lifestyle ideas, new food, lifestyle products, and more. Her work has also been featured in Reader's Digest, Family Handyman, and The Healthy. When she’s not writing about popular foods on TikTok, you can find her trying out new air-fryer recipes and coffee drinks.