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The Best New Fast Food Items of 2022

Chipotle, Taco Bell and Wendy's have all rolled out new fast-food menu items. Here's a closer look!

1 / 19

Kfc Fried Chicken WrapsCourtesy Kfc

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.

2 / 19

Chick Fil A Autumn Spice MilkshakeCourtesy Chick-Fil-A

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.

3 / 19

Wendys Adds New Homestyle French Toast Sticks To Sweeten Up Breakfast LineupCourtesy Wendy's

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.

4 / 19

Sonic Pickle Juice SlushVia Businesswire.com

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!

5 / 19

Mcdonalds Bagel Breakfast Sandwichvia mcdonalds.com

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.

6 / 19

Pickle Fries Courtesy Inspire BrandsCourtesy Inspire Brands

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.

7 / 19

Wendys Strawberry FrostyCourtesy Wendy's

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.

8 / 19

Shake Shack Bourbon Bacon BurgerCourtesy Shake Shack

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.

9 / 19

Nacho Fries Courtesy Taco bell

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.

10 / 19

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.

11 / 19

Wendys Hot Honey Chicken SpicyCourtesy Wendy's

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!

12 / 19

Chipotle pollo asadaCourtesy chipotle

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.

13 / 19

Wenyds Frosty SundaesCourtesy wendy's

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.

14 / 19

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich from shake shackCourtesy shake shack

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.

15 / 19

Menu Hacks Newsroom Mcdonalds SqCourtesy McDonald's

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.

16 / 19

Mint brownie blizzardCourtesy dairy queen

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.

Here’s why Dairy Queen flips each Blizzard.

17 / 19

Product Image Bacononbacon Burger WendysCourtesy sonic

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.

18 / 19

Arbys Fish Sandwich SpicyCourtesy Arby's

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.

19 / 19

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.

Amrita Thakkar
Amrita is an Assistant Digital Editor at Taste of Home. As a writer and amateur photographer, she often ends up applying these skills to her one great love: food. She can usually be found researching global cuisines, at the farmers market, doing yoga, or looking up new places to travel to.