With January wrapping up, we can all dive into this month’s edition of Snack Chat without pretending that we’re still keeping up with New Year’s resolutions and diets, right? Over at Snackology world headquarters, I’m super excited that Mountain Dew Baja Cabo Citrus is back — and that Mountain Dew is giving away seven trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to make up for the seven months that the stellar Dew flavor was gone.
The Super Bowl is coming, giving — grits teeth so hard they shatter — the New England Patriots a chance to finally end their championship drought. More importantly, we’re going to get a bunch of new commercials for pretty much every imaginable kind of snack. Hellmann’s dropped their Super Bowl ad on Tuesday, revealing Andy Samberg as “Meal Diamond.”
“I’ve long been known as a great lover of all things sandwich,” Samberg said. “One could almost say it’s been my life’s great calling. So, when I was asked to take part in singing the sandwich gospel atop the highest peak of all monoculture, there was but one answer, and that answer was a simple, ‘Yes I will do that with aplomb and joy upon this glorious day and yes please and thank you and all praise to Neil Diamond.’”
A New Era of Value: Taco Bell Launches the New Luxe Value Menu Featuring Ten Craveable Items All $3 or Less(PR Newswire): “The Luxe Value Menu isn’t just a collection of craveable items — it’s a bold statement about where Taco Bell is taking value in 2026 and beyond. The Luxe Value Menu delivers exciting, flavor-forward options that elevate everyday cravings. Designed for fans who want the most out of their dollar, the menu delivers rich flavors, unique forms, and ongoing innovation that keeps things fresh all year long to satisfy any Taco Bell cravings.”
🍪 Snackology Review | Taco Bell gets fancy with its new Luxe Value Menu: “How cute is the Mini Taco Salad? This was one of the items on the Luxe Value Menu that I was most looking forward to — and it didn’t disappoint. It has a bit more zing to it than the Nacho Supreme Dip thanks to the addition of Chipotle sauce. Did I take a giant bite out of one side of the Mini Taco Salad? You better believe I did.”
Taco Bell Dials Up The Heat With The Volcano Quesarito Comeback Featuring New Volcano Sauce(Taco Bell): “After Taco Bell brought the Quesarito back in time for the holidays, the brand is ringing in the new year with serious heat. Starting January 8, the brand is unleashing the Volcano Quesarito, a spicy new addition starring the Volcano Sauce. The Volcano Sauce is part of the Lava Sauce family and delivers the flavor and heat expectations that fans love about its predecessor.”
The Crispy Chicken Era Lives On: Taco Bell’s Nuggets Make a Spicy Return with New Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce(PR Newswire): “‘Over the past year, our crispy chicken has built a loyal fanbase faster than we could've imagined — and we’re just getting started,’ said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer. ‘Bringing back Crispy Chicken Nuggets while leveling up our collab with Hidden Valley Ranch is our way of doubling down on what fans are clearly craving: big flavor, bold heat, and unexpected twists that only Taco Bell can deliver.’”
🍪 Snackology Review | Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce adds a devilish touch of heat to Taco Bell’s nuggets: “It’s a ranch with a kick of heat. It’s been over a year since I had the Fire version of the ranch sauce, so I can’t really mentally compare the two. I’d say that Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch Sauce is less spicy than Taco Bell’s actual Diablo sauce (and definitely less spicy than the Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce that Taco Bell released last year) while at the same time offering more flavor than Diablo sauce does when compared to Fire sauce.”
McDonald’s Introduces Hot Honey Sauce(McDonald’s): “The Hot Honey Sauce Dip Cup is for you all day long. For a limited time only, this new sauce combines the sweetness of honey with the spicy, peppery heat of red bell and cayenne peppers with a hint of tangy vinegar that makes your perfect favorites even better.”
McDonald’s brings back nostalgic Changeables toys to Happy Meals(Mike Snider, USA Today): “The toys, which are available starting Tuesday, Jan. 27, will be made up of a collection of 16 characters. ‘Every single design has a name and its own little personality,’ said Huin, who also uploaded a video showing the individual Changeables coming to Happy Meals.”
KFC Is Giving Your January Food Choices a Glow-Up with a Comfort-First Value Lineup(PR Newswire): “Starting now, KFC is rolling out five $5 Bowls that perfectly balance comfort and value, including the return of the fan favorite Mac & Cheese Bowl and our take on poutine with a culinary collaboration with chef and cultural icon Matty Matheson and the new Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl.”
Marvel and the Oreo Brand Unite for a First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration: The Marvel Oreo Stuf of Legends Cookies(PR Newswire): “Rewriting the rule book on fandom engagement, the Oreo brand and Marvel designed this legendary collaboration with Marvel superfans in mind, blending a heroic storyline with the Oreo cookies themselves. Much like how Marvel fans treasure their comics and memorabilia, the Marvel Oreo Stuf of Legends Cookies feature four special-edition packs, illustrations by renowned Marvel Comics artist Todd Nauck, and contain a record-breaking 32 cookie embossments showcasing iconic characters from the Avengers, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four.”
Pepperidge Farm Launches 3 Cozy New Flavors of Fan-Favorite Cookie(Yasmin Coleman, Parade): “Pepperidge Farm is delighting fans by debuting three brand-new flavors of one of its most iconic cookies. The brand is ushering in the new year by adding a trio of Chessmen flavors to its product lineup that are said to be perfect for the cozy season: Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Sugar, and Brown Butter Pecan.”
🍪 Snackology Review | Cookie season continues thanks to new Chessmen and Milano flavors: “Where did the holiday season go? It feels like it was only yesterday when I reviewed eight different cookies from the Pepperidge Farm holiday cookies, and now we’re closing in on the end of January. (I’ll fully admit that I just took our Christmas lights down this past week. Look, I was busy.) Thankfully you can eat cookies all year round. And thankfully Pepperidge Farm is ready with a few new cookies to make that happen.”
Popsicle Bluey Ice Pops. / Popsicle
Frozen treats
Pop, Pop Hooray! Popsicle and BBC Studios team up to bring a playful new ice pop to freezers nationwide(PR Newswire): “The new ice pop features a cheerful Bluey face design that delights fans the moment they unwrap it. The Popsicle Bluey ice pop is a burst of mixed berry flavor with strawberry and blueberry notes in every bite. Made with less sugar and colors from natural sources and no artificial dyes or synthetic colors, the Popsicle Bluey ice pop reinforces Popsicle’s commitment to simple, parent-approved ingredients.”
New Snickers Ice Cream Minis Brings Maximum Satisfaction to Mini Format(PR Newswire): “Consumers are seeking mini-sized items more so than ever, for little moments of snackable enjoyment throughout the day. Snickers Ice Cream Minis pack all the signature textures and flavors fans love — creamy ice cream, smooth caramel, crunchy nuts and a chocolatey shell — into a few perfectly snackable bites.”
Introducing Little Debbie Ice Cream Sandwiches(PR Newswire): “We did it again. The iconic snack cake flavors you've loved forever are back and cooler than ever with new Little Debbie Ice Cream Sandwiches, rolling out at an ice cream aisle near you.”
Flavor Swap. / PepsiCo
Chips and crackers
BBQ on Cheetos? Cool Ranch on Ruffles? Cheddar and Sour Cream on Doritos? Introducing: Flavor Swap: “PepsiCo Foods is giving fans more of what they love: their favorite flavors experienced in totally new ways. Introducing Flavor Swap, a limited-time lineup that takes the most-loved flavors from iconic brands and pairs them with unexpected chips styles for a bold twist on snacking.”
Celebrate V-Day with Goldfish Valentine’s Day Strawberry Shortcake Multipack(Target): “Share smiles this Valentine’s Day with Goldfish Strawberry Shortcake Flavored Baked Grahams. This box of 24 Valentine’s Day treat pouches is perfect to gift to friends. There is even a place on the pouch to write ‘to’ and ‘from’ names. Irresistibly delicious and in the classic Goldfish shape, these Strawberry Shortcake Flavored Goldfish graham cracker snacks are a sweet treat that is fun to eat!”
The Ritz Brand Confirms a Salty Big Game Return in 2026 (PR Newswire): “The Ritz Brand made its first run at the Big Game in February 2025, debuting a vibrant spot that introduced the RitzSalty Club. The ad celebrated one of RitzCrackers' most iconic traits — its signature salty bite — set against the aptly chosen backdrop of the Salt Flats in Utah. In 2026, the brand is once again raising the stakes, turning up the flavor and buzz with a refreshed creative direction.”
Derrick Henry. / Pepcid
And more!
Pepcid x Derrick Henry partner for NFL Playoffs(Pepcid): “Pepcid is taking fast heartburn relief to the endzone by offering one lucky fan a chance to win a meet and greet with professional running back Derrick Henry.”
Frank’s RedHot Launches Four Bold New Sauces and Teases New Game Day Campaign(PR Newswire): “Frank’s RedHot — the undisputed GOAT of condiments — is spicing up National Hot Sauce Day with four new sauces designed to elevate every watch party spread and new game day eats data. And this is just the kickoff — the brand is rolling out a new marketing campaign just in time for the Big Game, with more flavor-packed news coming on Feb. 2.”
Phorm Energy Announces New Silver Lightning Flavor That Fuels the Bolt Within(Anheuser-Busch): “The new permanent addition to Phorm Energy's core portfolio features an energizing and refreshingly bright flavor profile with notes of bold citrus. Silver Lightning joins Screamin’ Freedom, Grape Smash, Orange Fury, and Blue Blitz as the fifth flavor in the Phorm Energy portfolio.”
Snackology is written and produced by Bill Kuchman. Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.
The Omnicosm founder. Popculturology, Deep SNL Thoughts and Snackology writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
