Snack Chat September 2025

Hey, Snackology buds. (Taste buds? Are Snackology readers “taste buds”?) September was a busy month in snacking news — I published a dozen (!!!) reviews since the last edition of Snack Chat — so it’s time for your monthly wrap-up of new and upcoming fast food, candy and more.

Have any of you managed to get your hands on the Snickers Sauces? I’m 0-for-3 when it comes to ordering the Josh Allen-endorsed sauces during their Sunday halftime drops. I’m gonna keep trying to get them, but if my winless streak means the Bills keep going undefeated, I’m OK with that tradeoff.

I won’t hesitate to house A Wreck at Potbelly, but I’m not sure about the sandwich chain being purchased by ... a gas station?

Fast food

• Popeyes and Hot Ones Team Up for a Limited-Time Menu Packed with Fiery Levels of Flavor (PR Newswire): “Inspired by the iconic sauces featured on the Hot Ones YouTube series, this limited-time menu offers fans a one-of-a-kind chance to earn major bragging rights with three crave-worthy creations with varying heat, plus The Last Dab, the hottest sauce in the Hot Ones universe.”
  • 🍪 Snackology Review: This is Snackology, and you’re eating the Hot Ones and Popeyes menu: “The Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich was the Hot Ones menu item I was looking forward to the most. Hot Ones’ Los Calientes Rojo sauce is my favorite of the bunch and while this sandwich is listed as medium in terms of spiciness, Los Calientes Rojo is probably the sauce that most people could handle if they’re interested in trying a few options from the show.”
• Taco Bell Rewinds to the 2000s With Decades Y2K Menu Featuring Iconic Fan-Favorites and an Exclusive Merch Collab (Taco Bell): “Taco Bell’s Decades Menu is back, and this time, it’s bringing the 2000s with it. Launching nationwide on September 9, Taco Bell’s Decades Y2K Menu reintroduces the most-hyped items from the golden age of Y2K innovation, all for $3 or less. Fan-favorites like the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos, 7-Layer Burrito, Chili Cheese Burrito, and Double Decker Taco are making their long-awaited return for a limited time.”
• McDonald’s Celebrates the Return of Extra Value Meals with $5 Sausage McMuffin with Egg Meal and $8 Big Mac Meal (McDonald’s): “‘McDonald’s USA is laser-focused on delivering value and affordability for our customers, and I’m incredibly proud of how our franchisees and teams continue to step up to make it a reality,’ said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald's USA. ‘From the $5 Meal Deal to McValue and now Extra Value Meals, we’re sending a clear message: we’re here for our customers. McDonald’s will always be a place where you can get the food you love at a price that fits your life.’”
  • Prime Big Deal Days Returns October 7-8, To Kick Off the Holiday Shopping Season Delivering Millions of Early Deals Exclusively for Prime Members (Business Wire): “Prime members can use their free Grubhub+ membership, a $120 value per year, to enjoy a free McDonald’s 10-piece Chicken McNuggets Meal once per day between September 15 and October 5 from participating McDonald's restaurants.)
• Canadians, behold the McVeggie (Cision): “Created specifically for the Canadian market, the McVeggie features a breaded veggie patty made with a blend of vegetables — including carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn — seasoned to perfection and served with shredded lettuce and a creamy mayo-style sauce on a toasted sesame bun. For those craving a little extra kick, the Spicy Habanero McVeggie is also available, topped with McDonald’s signature creamy Habanero sauce.”
• A Carne Asada Comeback: Chipotle’s Most-Searched Menu Item Returns Just in Time for Football Season (Chipotle): “Carne Asada has proven itself as a standout at Chipotle, known for its bold flavor, real ingredients and loyal following. It is marinated, then seasoned on the grill with a signature spice blend including cumin, coriander, garlic and oregano and sliced into perfect tender, juicy bites. The protein is finished with fresh-squeezed lime and hand-chopped cilantro for a deeply rich, satisfying flavor.”

Candy

• Oh, Honey! It’s Giving Sweet and Salty: Introducing NEW M&M’s Honey Roasted Peanut (PR Newswire): “M&M’s, proudly part of Mars, is adding to its product lineup with a new treat that's buzzing with flavor, M&M’s Honey Roasted Peanut. The innovation is a twist on a classic favorite, with the harmonious flavors bringing the perfect combination of sweet and salty.”
  • 🍪 Snackology Review: What’s the buzz on Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s?: “I’m snacking on the Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s as I write this review, and this is a flavor that I’d definitely buy again. Going with honey roasted peanuts over a basic peanut adds a touch of nuance that you never knew you were missing in a bag of traditional Peanut M&M’s.”
• No Trick, All Treat: Crunch Launches a White Chocolate Fan-Favorite for Halloween (PR Newswire): “Just in time for Halloween, Crunch White is making seasonal festivities even sweeter. It's a festive treat that's anything but ordinary. Whether handing out candy during trick-or-treating, snacking during a Halloween movie marathon or enjoying an afternoon treat, this limited time offering delivers the ideal combination of a familiar crunch with an exciting new spin.”
  • 🍪 Snackology Review: Crunch White shines bright: “Stopping only to share a few bites with my daughter, I housed an entire Crunch White bar in minutes. The pictures you see in this review document only the slimmest time that first bar was opened before it had disappeared off the face of the Earth.”
• Halloween Just Got a Marshmallow Makeover with Butterfinger’s Latest Innovation (PR Newswire): “Building on the tremendous success of Salted Caramel, Butterfinger has officially launched its latest innovation, Marshmallow Butterfinger® - the perfect blend of Butterfinger's signature crispety, crunchety texture and peanut-buttery center, wrapped in a smooth marshmallow-flavored coating for a fun and unexpected twist on the fan favorite.”

Cookies

• New Exploremores Girl Scout Sandwich Cookie Joins Nationwide Lineup for 2026 Season (Girl Scouts): “Today, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced that Exploremores, a rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookie, will join the lineup for the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie season. Filled with delicious flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored crème, Exploremores reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout.”

Pizza

• Introducing New Oreo Dippers! (&Pizza): “Your pie’s new side piece is here, and it’s a total vibe. Introducing the all-new Oreo Dippers. We took your favorite cookie, wrapped it in our signature dough, and baked it until it was all warm, gooey, and golden. Dusted with powdered sugar and served with a side of sweet icing for some serious dunking action. You get 4 per serving, which is basically a hug for your taste buds. Don't ghost your order — add them on before they disappear.”
• Domino’s Introduces Two New Delectable Flavors of Bread Bites (PR Newswire): “Cinnamon and Garlic Bread Bites join Domino's Parmesan Bread Bites, adding even more mouthwatering options for customers to enjoy. Domino’s oven-baked Bread Bites are handmade from fresh buttery-tasting dough. Garlic Bread Bites are drizzled with garlic seasoning, while the Cinnamon Bread Bites come topped with a perfect blend of cinnamon and sugar — complete with a Sweet Icing Dip Cup.”

And more!

• Snickers and Josh Allen Are Going For the End Zone With Limited-Edition Snickers Sauces to Kick Off the 2025 NFL Season (PR Newswire): “‘The City of Buffalo knows a thing or two about sauces, and Snickers is the MVP when it comes to game-day snacking,’ said Josh Allen. ‘So, it felt very right to partner with Snickers to help craft this lineup of sauce flavors that I know the fans are going to love.’”
• JonnyPops Launches Magical New Products: Unicorn Twist Pops and First-Ever Freeze Dried Minis (PR Newswire): “Whether you're chasing unicorns or simply looking for a better-for-you snack for the car, classroom, or campsite, the latest launches from JonnyPops are about more than just great taste – they're about celebrating everyday magic with simple ingredients and real joy.”
• Funfetti Is Releasing Taylor Swift-Inspired Sourdough Bread Mix Ahead of Her Album Drop (Today): “The Funfetti mix of sprinkles and sourdough is available for preorder on Sept. 24, which also happens to be only nine days before Swift drops her highly anticipated new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl.’”
  • Let It Snow! Pillsbury Funfetti Debuts Melted Snowman Swirl Cake Mix and Frosting for a Whimsical Winter Bake (PR Newswire): “Create a winter wonderland in every bite with this festive cake mix, featuring separate pouches of blue and white vanilla cake mix designed to swirl together into a magical, marbled masterpiece. Whether you’re baking a full cake or a batch of cheerful cupcakes, this delightful mix brings seasonal joy to any occasion.”
• Grubhub Reveals America’s Coffee Addiction and Starbucks Promo: “Starting this National Coffee Day (September 29), Grubhub is offering $7 off $20 Starbucks orders for Grubhub+ members, giving coffee lovers a reason to celebrate Monday morning!”
• Eli Manning and King’s Hawaiian Team Up to Launch a First-Ever Football Season…ing (PR Newswire): “‘Sliders and football go hand-in-hand, and nobody knows game day essentials quite like King’s Hawaiian,’ said Eli Manning. ‘This new Football SEASON-ing is the perfect way to make any gameday meal better, just like King's Hawaiian sliders.’”