If you have an affinity for living on the spicy side of life, you know that fast food joints have been upping their game lately, bringing the heat to their menus in some truly mouthwatering ways. Ready for some flaming-hot deliciousness? StudyFinds has combed through every food review from experts to determine the spiciest fast food items out there to try.
But the spicy goodness doesn’t stop there. Fast food menus are bursting with mouth-searing delights, from jalapeño poppers that explode with cheesy heat to spicy nuggets that are like little flavor bombs in every bite. And let’s not forget the ever-popular spicy fries coated in a dusting of fiery seasoning that sets your taste buds on a rollercoaster ride of flavor.
Of course, we can’t overlook the legendary spicy dipping sauces that have taken the fast food world by storm. Whether it’s a creamy sriracha ranch or a tongue-tingling ghost pepper sauce, these condiments have become essential companions to your fast food feasts, elevating every bite to new levels of spicy satisfaction.
So, my fellow heat-seekers, the next time you find yourself at a drive-thru, do yourself a favor and indulge in these recommendations for the spiciest fast food. Your taste buds will thank you for bringing the heat, again and again. Which fast food restaurant is your current favorite for a hot and spicy treat? Leave a comment to let us know!
The List: Spiciest Fast Food Menu Items, According to Foodies
1. Popeyes Spicy Chicken Sandwich
There is no debate. When it comes to the spiciest fast food menu items, the spicy chicken sandwich from Popeyes is the top choice, according to food experts. “This is the sandwich that single-handedly changed the fast food landscape,” writes Uproxx. “So many chicken sandwiches in the last three years have been inspired by Popeyes’ masterpiece, and not a single one has been able to dethrone the king. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better-tasting chicken sandwich in all of fast food but if you’re looking for fast food’s spiciest sandwich, thiss fails to deliver.”
Who doesn’t love that chicken from Popeyes? If you say you don’t, you are lying. “This Louisiana fast food chain’s hefty Spicy Chicken Sandwich hasn’t been pulling punches against the competition since 2019. The main contents of this sandwich are chicken breast cutlets that have been hand battered in buttermilk and deep fried to crispy perfection. The whole deal comes along with a nice and creamy spicy mayo and a layer of pickles. And then it’s all packed between two slices of a brioche bun,” describes The Daily Meal.
“When Popeyes chicken sandwich came into the fast food scene, to say that it created chaos is a gross understatement. This thing had people everywhere waiting in lines for hours and even getting into physical altercations at some Popeyes locations,” adds Mashed. “It kicked off what became known as the ‘chicken sandwich wars,’ with plenty of fast-food chains concocting their own chicken sandwiches to compete with the wild popularity of the Popeyes product…The most impressive part of this sandwich is the sheer size of the chicken filet. This is one thick boy, and it’s fried to a beautiful golden color in a blend of Popeyes’ seasonings. The sandwich comes with zesty pickle chips and a hefty drizzle of a deliriously tasty spicy mayo. The mayo is where the heat hides, and this sauce does a great job of supplying each bite with a lovely kick that works great with the rich chicken and tangy pickles. There’s a reason Popeyes led the sandwich wars, and this spicy little number is it.”
2. Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Nuggets
There’s something exhilarating about that fiery kick in your meal, like a spicy surprise party for your taste buds, which Wendy’s spicy chicken nuggets, always delivers. “Wendy’s was the only real casualty of our ‘One dish from each fast food restaurant’ rule as the chain has a host of spicy options. Ultimately we had to go with the hottest, which is the classic Spicy Nugget. Yes, Wendy’s spicy chicken breast filet uses the same hot cayenne-pepper forward breading used on the nuggets, but the more meaty chew of the filet masks some of that spice. With the nugget, the experience is a lot more direct,” writes Uproxx.
It’s been said that we are now in the spicy generation and that makes perfect sense. “How much do people love their Wendy’s Spicy Nuggets? Enough to amass 2 million likes on one Tweet in less than 48 hours just to bring back the fan favorite,” shares Cheapism. “And if you’re skeptical that the nuggets won’t live up to their spicy billing, don’t be. ‘The spicy nugget assaults the diner with a level of heat that builds and stings like no other dish in the modern fast-food industry,’ raves Eater, which ranks Wendy’s nuggets a runaway No. 1 among competitors. ‘The cayenne sucker punch lasts for a solid 30 seconds.'”
Apparently, Wendy’s gift to the world is their spicy chicken nuggets and most food experts agree. “Wendy’s does every nugget-lover a huge favor by also offering a spicy version of the wonderfully dippable food,” adds Mashed. “Order up the spicy chicken nuggets and you not only get all the enjoyment of nuggets but an extra kick of heat, as well. The spice comes from a pepper blend that’s mixed into the batter, so the entire fried casing boasts heat. The nuggets are super soft in the middle, and the warmth from the chicken meat almost feels like it enhances the pepper flavor. If you find that the nuggets aren’t hot enough for your liking, you can always go the extra mile and plunge them into the ghost pepper ranch dipping sauce for a scorching good time.”
3. KFC Nashville Hot Tenders
If you are a thrill seeker, you have to get up right now and head over to KFC to try the Nashville Hot Tenders, our third pick for spiciest fast food items. “Chicken is KFC’s wheelhouse, and apparently, so is spice,” writes Eat This. “These tenders are truly hot, and unlike many of the other items we ranked, don’t depend on a sauce to make them that way. The heat is baked into the breading, making these a stand-alone indulgence with a powerful, fiery-mouth aftertaste. The breading wasn’t just hot and flavorful, though—it was crispy in a way that perfectly contrasted the soft chicken meat beneath it.”
When you’re ready for that country goodness, KFC’s Nashville flavor will satisfy you. “KFC brings Tennessee’s beloved dish to the rest of the country with its Nashville Hot Chicken. Crispy fried chicken tenders are coated in a blend of spicy cayenne and smoked paprika,” describes Insider.
“Nashville’s legendary hot chicken found a national audience when KFC rolled out its version in 2016. The result is currently available in chicken-tender form, having received mostly positive reviews over the past several years,” adds Cheapism.
4. Wingstop Atomic Wings
A list of spiciest fast food items can’t exist without mentioning Wingstop and their Atomic Wings. Cheapism notes, “Wingstop’s hottest wings, featuring up to 350,000 Scoville heat units, according to the chain. The alarmingly spicy wings definitely deliver on their promise, according to Sweety High, which bemoaned the ‘blazing aftertaste in our mouths.'”
According to a reviewer at Mashed, Wingstop’s Atomic Wings are a visual and tasty treat. “The first thing you notice when you peer into the basket of wings is the aggressive red color of the pieces of chicken,” writes Mashed. “That tells you right off the bat you’re dealing with something serious. It only takes seconds after your first bite before a volcanic eruption of heat occurs in your mouth, and it doesn’t get any better as you swallow. You can feel the temperature of your throat rising as it travels down to your stomach, so tread lightly. These wings aren’t for the faint of heart, but that’s what makes them the perfect option for chili heads.”
Nearly everyone agrees that Wingstop’s Atomic Wings are spicy, yet Uproxx notes that there is a big drawback. “If this was a ranking that simply listed the spiciest foods in fast food, Wingstop’s Atomic sauced wings would take the top spot, no contest,” says Uproxx. “But this isn’t that and while these wings are indeed spicy, the flavor of the sauce is straight-up wack.”
5. Five Guys Cajun Fries
Five Guys has burgers. But spicy food fans rejoice because the Cajun fries can’t be beat. “If you’re near a Five Guys and are craving french fries and spice, you’re in luck. Five Guys fries its potatoes in peanut oil. While it isn’t giving away its exact recipe for its Cajun seasoning, this fast food side dish does come through with the heat,” writes The Daily Meal.
Whoever heard of calling French fries legendary? Well, according to Happy Spicy Hour, Five Guys takes the award. “There is a heaping pile of spicy fries in an extra tall soda cup. These fries are legendary! My Five Guys visit is never complete without ordering their Cajun Style Fries,” says Happy Spicy Hour. “After opening the signature grease-stained brown bag, I can instantly smell the heat. Covered with cajun flavoring, these fries are the hottest and saltiest ones I have ever had. The flavoring helped cover up the greasiness. The layers of flavor go down deeper, making these French fries one of the best options.”
“When I realized Five Guys had hopped on the spice train by modifying their already-perfect fries, I was excited. The Cajun Fries were, in many ways, even more legendary than the regular offering,” shares an expert food reviewer from Eat This. “These babies are caked in cajun flavoring and were the saltiest, hottest french fries I’ve ever had. They were also less greasy than usual—maybe the flavoring covers that up a bit—and had a layered flavor that went deeper than just spicy. This makes them one of the best spicy options on our list.”
If you had to create the ultimate spicy fast food meal, which items would you include? Leave a comment to let us know!
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Sources:
- Uproxx
- The Daily Meal
- Mashed
- Delish
- Happy Spicy Hour
- Cheapism
- Eat This
- Insider
- Giant Freaking Robot
- Thrillist
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.