This is Snackology, and you’re eating the ‘Hot Ones’ and Popeyes menu

Welcome to Snackology, the newsletter with hot thoughts and even hotter foods.

My apologies to Sean Evans for ripping off his now iconic intro to Hot Ones. If you’re not familiar with Hot Ones, it’s a YouTube series where Evans interviews celebrities of various degrees of fame while eating ten progressively hotter wings. (Very few celebrities haven’t finished all ten wings, with DJ Khaled infamously bailing.) If you’ve never watched Hot Ones, I’d recommend the Conan O’Brien episode from last year.

As Hot Ones has gotten bigger and bigger, the show’s branded hot sauces have become available in stores like Target — and now the show has teamed up with Popeyes to bring the world three new items in addition to one of the show’s sauces.

“When you think of bold flavors and serious heat, Popeyes is right up there with Hot Ones. Bringing our worlds together for this limited-time menu, we’ve created something that’s going to test spice lovers in the most delicious way possible,” Evans said in a statement. “Popeyes has built a cult following around bold, craveable flavors, so bringing our heat to their wings just made sense.”

The Hot Ones/Popeyes menu is made up of four items of increasing levels of heat: Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers, Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich, Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings and The Last Dab.

Popeyes is taking this partnership seriously, with the woman who handed me my bag of food taking out the packet of The Last Dab and warning me, “Be careful with this sauce.” Was I careful? Or did this meal wind up ruining my day ... ?

What it costs

According to the prices in my Popeyes app, you can get the Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers for $5.99, the Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich for $5.49, the Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings for $6.99 and The Last Dab Sachet for $1. You can also get everything minus The Last Dab packet as a combo that goes for $16.99.

My thoughts

Popeyes lists its Hot Ones menu in order of spiciness, so let’s jump in with the mild Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers.

I reviewed Popeyes Chicken Dippers when they debuted in July, but I think these are supposed to be a different variety? While the Dippers were previously advertised as being battered in “Popeyes signature Louisiana garlic and spice blend,” the Hot Ones promo described this item as being “pickled garlic sriracha-marinated.” Maybe I picked up a hint of pickle in some bites?

The highlight of the Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers is supposed to be a fiery Hot Ones Sriracha sachet. Unfortunately, the packet of Hot Ones Sriracha sauce didn’t make it into my bag, so I had to make do dipping these guys into the regular buttermilk ranch cup. No complaints about buttermilk ranch — it’s just that the show isn’t about celebs eating increasingly buttermilk ranchy wings.

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.

This is a very good sandwich. No surprise, considering that Popeyes launched the chicken sandwich revolution a few years back with Classic Chicken Sandwich. If you like the spicy version of Popeye’s chicken sandwich, you’re going to like the Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich. The sauce is a perfect companion to the brioche bun and crispy chicken.

OK, now we’re getting into the danger zone with the Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings. You can order this item as either traditional wings or in boneless form. I chose the boneless version since I really wasn’t interested in coating my fingers with “a bold Ghost Pepper dry rub.”

My boneless wings were absolutely dusted in that dry rub. A little ghost pepper goes a long way, and while these guys did cause me to start sweating, they’re tasty. Did I eat one or two more than I should’ve? Probably, but it was worth it.

If the ghost pepper dry rub isn’t enough for you, you can also dip the Darin’ Dab Ghost Wing in Hot Ones Last Dab Ranch. Yes, that’s The Last Dab Apollo mixed in with ranch. I wound up using this for my sauceless Chicken Dippers too.

And now we’ve reached the pinnacle of the Hot Ones and Popeyes partnership: The Last Dab Apollo. This is the sauce that stares down each celebrity when they reach the final wing in the Hot Ones challenge. And, as is the tradition on the show, guests are gently pressured into dipping that tenth wing into just a touch more of the final sauce. A last dab, if you will.

The Lat Dab sauce is a standalone item and doesn’t come with any kind of Popeyes item. I once again turned to my Chicken Dippers to get that last dab of The Last Dab Apollo ...

I wouldn’t eat a ton of The Last Dab Apollo, but it’s good. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Hot Ones, you’ll know that this isn’t the sauce that’s meant to break a guest. (That would be Da’ Bomb Beyond Insanity, a hot sauce that brings zero pleasure and only pain. Weirdly enough, it was once included on a tray of hot sauces served to my wife and her friends at a restaurant without any warning of what it actually was.) The Last Dab obviously packs a wallop, but you’ll survive.

Snack score

Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers: Incomplete
Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich: 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 (5 out of 5 cookies)
Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings: 🍪🍪🍪🍪 (4 out of 5 cookies)
The Last Dab: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (5 out of 5 flames)

If you’re a fan of Hot Ones or just spice curious, I’d recommend checking out the show’s partnership with Popeyes. You can’t go wrong with the chain’s chicken sandwich, and the addition of Los Calientes Rojo gives it a unique kick. Give those Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings a try too — just don’t plan on making them your full meal.

And no matter which Hot Ones item you try at Popeyes, watch the eyes. Now where’s my ice cream?