Taco Bell's 8 New Menu Items Are Already Stirring Up Lots Of Feelings, And After Seeing Them, I Understand Why
Amid the craze of the Super Bowl, another arguably equally food-centric event was taking place just one day prior: the Taco Bell Live Más Live Event.
At the event, which is being compared to an Apple-style iPhone launch, Taco Bell unveiled chef collaborations, new partnerships, a peek into their innovation kitchen, and, of course, their new menu items dropping in 2024.
Taco Bell is announcing their new menu like it's the new iPhone except this Cheez-It Crunchwrap is actually more innovative pic.twitter.com/wWF4FDn73X
— Mike Scollins (@mikescollins) February 10, 2024
@mikescollins / Via Twitter: @mikescollins
So here's everything Taco Bell is cookin' up, with some items set to launch as early as this week:
1. Cheesy Chicken Crispanada
Originally introduced as a test item in Knoxville, Tennessee last March, the cheesy chicken crispanada is officially making its mark as a permanent menu item at all Taco Bell locations starting February 15th. This crispy little pocket of perfection includes marinated shredded chicken and a blend of Monterey, pepper jack, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses.
The audience was absolutely living for this one, so my hopes are high.
2. Crispy Chicken Nuggets
Well, the unthinkable happened folks: Taco Bell is officially hopping on the chicken nugget train. According to Taco Bell, their nuggets consist of "all-white meat chicken marinated in spiced jalapeño buttermilk before being breaded in a tortilla coating and fried to crispy glory." There'll also be two sauce options: a signature Bell sauce or a Jalapeño Honey Mustard.
Reactions ranged from pure joy...
TACO BELL CHICKEN NUGGETS I JUST FELL TO MY KNEES
— lil beeb (@brynnjulson) February 10, 2024
@brynnjulson / Via Twitter: @brynnjulson
...to reasonable skepticism (and a serious longing for old menu items).
i don’t want taco bell chicken nuggets BRING BACK THE SHREDDED CHICKEN BURRITO YOU COWARDS
— alyssa🐝 (@shaunastai) February 11, 2024
@shaunastai / Via Twitter: @shaunastai
Looks like there's nothing left to do but wait and see if Taco Bell can deliver on these.
3. Cheesy Street Chalupas
The classic chalupa is getting an upgrade, but also a slight downgrade in size. These smaller "street-style" chalupas will feature the classic fried flatbread along with a smaller tortilla that is stuffed with cheese. Because, why the hell not?
These were also tested out last fall at select locations, and the reviews are nothing short of astounding.
@tacobell needs to stop playing and launch the cheesy street chalupas worldwide
— Matt (@primal081) November 5, 2023
@primal081 / Via Twitter: @primal081
These cheesy street chalupas are wonderful. Please make these permanent. 🙏🏼 straight 🔥
— Luke Roach (@Luke_Roach96) November 8, 2023
@Luke_Roach96 / Via Twitter: @Luke_Roach96
4. Mountain Dew Baja Blast Gelato
If your feed is anything like mine, it's been taken over by the Baja Blast Gelato, and I'm not mad about it. Launching this summer, the gelato is said to be an ode to the 20-year anniversary of the Baja Blast (which makes me feel older than I ever have in my life).
Listen, we're all excited, and we all need this. Like, now.
babe wake up baja blast gelato just dropped https://t.co/3lUaf6Jk4X
— boycunt (yeehaw era) (@boycuntgenius) February 11, 2024
@boycuntgenius / Via Twitter: @boycuntgenius
Even if the inevitable happens.
me after eating a gallon of that pic.twitter.com/wtcKvhQPsE
— gwanz (@GranzCS) February 11, 2024
@GranzCS / Via Twitter: @GranzCS
5. Cheesy Enchilada Dipping Taco
Just a slight twist on the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco, this enchilada version features chicken or steak with an enchilada dipping sauce.
6. Churro Chillers
Yet another item that made it out of the test kitchen and into our hands. Taco Bell has been playing around with the shakes and coffee space, and it's finally paid off. From the looks of it, the churro chillers will feature four flavors of ice cream along with flavored caramel, cold foam, and churro bits to top it all off.
7. Dulce de Leche Cinnabon Delights
I cried actual tears when I saw these. Real ones know that the Cinnabon Delights are unmatched, and this new Dulce de Leche version might just test my commitment to cut back on sugar this year.
Needless to say, I'm not alone in the tears I shed.
8. Cheez-It Crunchwrap
The hype. The launch. Everything surrounding this new Crunchwrap was wonderfully over-the-top. Yes, this is the Crunchwrap we all know and love, but now stuffed with a massive Cheez-It 16 times the size of a normal one.
Personally, this reveal was my favorite part of the launch.
Long live the Cheez-It x-ray.
Safe to say it was everyone else's favorite, too.
cheez-it crunchwrap? HOLD ON https://t.co/88lepc2uQY
— slimbo ® (əˈ·mɑr·reē) (@TheAJones12) February 12, 2024
@TheAJones12 / Via Twitter: @TheAJones12
We really have reached peak innovation.
2024 is the year of the Taco Bell giant Cheez-It Crunchwrap
— paul (@_paul25_) February 10, 2024
@_paul25_ / Via Twitter: @_paul25_
Not only did Taco Bell announce these official menu items, but they also have a few other things up their sleeve. To the excitement of every millennial, Taco Bell partnered with Salt & Straw, a Portland-based ice cream company, to bring back their version of the Choco Taco. While this was only available at the Live Más event, Taco Bell's site states that it is "currently in the testing pipeline."
Speaking of testing, a few other menu items from the test kitchen were unveiled, although not quite ready for the public just yet. Like this Baja Blast Pie.
This one kind of broke the internet.
how do I become a taste tester for the taco bell test kitchen. listen I'll pay THEM https://t.co/qxIu2RgmLR
— mr pussy 🔻 (@_mrpussy) February 11, 2024
@_mrpussy / Via Twitter: @_mrpussy
Oh, did you say you wanted more Baja Blast food items? Well let me also introduce you to another test kitchen item: Baja Blast Twists.
What is happening in this test kitchen? And how do I sign up do be a part of it??
Wait, did I also hear you say you wanted old menu items to come back? Well, apparently Taco Bell is listening to all of us because not only did they announce a plan to make Nacho Fries permanent, but they also held a vote to bring back either the Meximelt or the Caramel Apple Empanadas.
If you're not rooting for the empanadas, just know that you're wrong.
Let me know in the comments which new menu item you're most excited for (or which one you want to see come back).
