8 Best New Fast-Food Menu Items of 2021

By Ghuman

Introduction

As the new year begins, fast-food restaurants are rolling out some exciting new menu items. From plant-based burgers to breakfast sandwiches, there’s something for everyone. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best new fast-food menu items of 2021. We’ll discuss the ingredients, flavors, and nutritional information of each item, so you can decide which ones are right for you. So, let’s get started!

8 Best New Fast-Food Menu Items of 2021

Fast-food restaurants are always coming up with new and innovative menu items to keep customers coming back for more. 2021 is no exception, with some of the most creative and delicious new menu items being released this year. From plant-based burgers to loaded fries, here are 8 of the best new fast-food menu items of 2021.

1. Burger King Impossible Whopper

Burger King has been at the forefront of the plant-based burger revolution, and their Impossible Whopper is one of the best. This vegan-friendly burger is made with a plant-based patty that tastes just like the real thing. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mayo, this burger is sure to satisfy even the most discerning burger lover.

2. KFC Nashville Hot Chicken

KFC has taken their classic fried chicken to the next level with their Nashville Hot Chicken. This spicy chicken is marinated in a blend of cayenne pepper and other spices, then fried to perfection. It’s served with a side of pickles and creamy coleslaw for a truly unique and delicious meal.

3. Taco Bell Quesalupa

Taco Bell has always been known for their inventive menu items, and the Quesalupa is no exception. This delicious dish is a combination of a quesadilla and a chalupa, with a crispy shell filled with melted cheese, seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. It’s sure to be a hit with Taco Bell fans.

4. McDonald’s Spicy Chicken McNuggets

McDonald’s has taken their classic Chicken McNuggets to the next level with their new Spicy Chicken McNuggets. These nuggets are made with a spicy blend of peppers and spices, and are sure to be a hit with those who like a little kick in their food. They’re served with a side of creamy ranch sauce for dipping.

5. Wendy’s Baconator Fries

Wendy’s has taken their classic fries to the next level with their Baconator Fries. These loaded fries are topped with bacon, cheese, and a creamy ranch sauce for a truly indulgent treat. They’re sure to be a hit with those who love bacon and fries.

6. Arby’s Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich

Arby’s has taken their classic roast beef sandwich to the next level with their Smokehouse Brisket Sandwich. This sandwich is made with slow-smoked brisket, topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy onions, and a smoky BBQ sauce. It’s sure to be a hit with those who love a good BBQ sandwich.

7. Sonic’s Pickle-O’s

Sonic has taken their classic tater tots to the next level with their Pickle-O’s. These crunchy bites are made with a blend of pickles and potatoes, and are sure to be a hit with those who love a good pickle. They’re served with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

8. Jack in the Box’s Loaded Fries

Jack in the Box has taken their classic fries to the next level with their Loaded Fries. These fries are topped with melted cheese, bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce for a truly indulgent treat. They’re sure to be a hit with those who love a good loaded fry.

The world of fast-food has grown even greater lately as folks look so as to add extra comfort to their on a regular basis lives. Main fast-food corporations like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Zaxby’s are repeatedly including new gadgets, together with lots of hen sandwiches, to their menus to attract clients into the drive-thru traces.

Whereas some new fast-food menu gadgets are full of sugar and tons of sodium, others are considerably wholesome and will be added to your weekly lunch routine with out tipping the size. We talked with two registered dietitians, Hannah Cooper, MS, RD, LDN, from Houston, Texas, and Krista Jensema, MS, RD, CSP, LDN, from Dallas, Texas, and so they allow us to in on which new fast-food menu gadgets are more healthy selections.

And for extra, do not miss these 15 Basic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

Starbucks Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew

Per grande (16 fl oz): 50 energy, 0.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 25 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (0 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 0 g protein

One of many latest drinks from Starbucks is the Honey Almond Milk Chilly Brew. The drink is comparatively extra wholesome in comparison with a few of the different new Starbucks drinks, just like the pistachio latte. “With solely 50 energy, this can be a nice possibility for many who need a Starbucks deal with with out all of the energy,” Cooper says. “There are 10 grams of added sugar on this drink, which more than likely comes from the honey.”

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starbucks mushroom and kale
Courtesy of Starbucks

Per serving (130 g): 230 energy, 14 g fats (9 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 340 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (2 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 15 g protein

Sous Vide Egg Bites are a heat and straightforward breakfast to seize on the associate with your morning espresso from Starbucks. The brand new kale and portabella egg bites get the stamp of approval from Cooper. “These vegetarian-friendly egg bites are good for an on the go breakfast. They do have a comparatively excessive quantity of fats, so I would not advocate making this a every day breakfast merchandise,” she says.

dunkin donuts storefront with DD sign
Lynn Watson/Shutterstock

Per sandwich: 410 energy, 17 g fats (5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 800 mg sodium, 39 g carbs (9 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 26 g protein

A brand new possibility from Dunkin’ is the Southwest Veggie Energy Breakfast Sandwich, which is totally plant-based. The excessive protein content material within the sandwich will assist maintain you fuller longer within the morning. “The sandwich does have fairly a little bit of sodium however nonetheless has lower than the meat possibility,” says Cooper.

chipotle
Shutterstock

Per serving: 40 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 210 mg sodium, 7 g carbs (3 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 3 g protein

You simply bought a brand new choice to make your bowl from Chipotle more healthy with the addition of Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice as a base. The “rice” can match into any Keto, Whole30, vegan, or vegetarian life-style. “The beauty of cauliflower rice is that it provides bulk to your meal with out including a ton of energy. I’ll say it does have a barely excessive quantity of sodium, nonetheless, it’s nonetheless lower than the white/brown rice various,” says Cooper. Guac continues to be additional, although.

taco bell loaded nacho taco
Courtesy of Taco Bell

Per taco: 280 energy, 14 g fats (4.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 610 mg sodium, 29 g carbs (4 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 10 g protein

Taco Bell has fairly a number of new menu gadgets, and one which makes the reduce is the brand new Loaded Nacho Taco. “The taco has some fiber from the lettuce, a considerable amount of protein, and minimal sugar, which provides it an A-,” Jensema says. To make the dish more healthy, she suggests asking for half the portion of meat or cheese on the taco.

RELATED: The straightforward method to make more healthy consolation meals.

dairy queen rotisserie chicken bites basket with fries and coke

Per eight-piece meal: 660 energy, 29 g fats (6 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,460 mg sodium, 58 g carbs (3 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 43 g protein

Whereas we typically solely go to Dairy Queen for the nostalgic delicate serve, typically hen nuggets simply sound good. The brand new Rotisserie-Model Rooster Bites from Dairy Queen are on the more healthy facet, in response to Jensema. “It incorporates 43 grams of protein, minimal sugar, and continues to be beneath the advisable every day consumption of saturated fats,” she says of this meal. For a more healthy meal, swap out the Texas toast for a facet salad or skip the facet of ranch dressing.

kfc chicken sandwich
Courtesy of KFC

Per sandwich: 650 energy, 35 g fats (4.5 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,260 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (1 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 34 g protein

One other entry into the hen sandwich wars is the brand new and improved KFC Rooster Sandwich. Whereas the sandwich does have a excessive sodium content material, Jensema notes that’s the solely destructive. “It has a decrease saturated fats content material in comparison with lots of fast-food choices, is low in sugar, and has a excessive quantity of protein,” she says. To make the sandwich lighter, eat solely half of the bun and ask for no mayo.

Zaxby's boneless wings
Courtesy of Zaxby’s

Per meal: 1,000 energy, 57 g fats (9 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 2,010 mg sodium, 90 g carbs (7 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 32 g protein

One new meal from Zaxby’s popping out this month is the Basic Tso Boneless Wings Meal. Jensema says that this new menu merchandise is on the more healthy facet because of the quantity of meals offered, so long as the beverage you select is diet-friendly. “Though it has a days’ price of saturated fats and sodium, its excessive protein and decrease sugar content material permits the meal to be added to the wholesome possibility record,” says Jensema. To make the meal more healthy, she suggests swapping out the Texas toast for a facet salad.