7 New Fast-Food Treats Worth Breaking Your Diet For
Some fast-food menus just know how to cause trouble—in the best way. These aren’t your average drive-thru desserts, either. Each new Fast-Food treat here has people skipping their usual orders just to try it. They’re over-the-top, unapologetic, and clearly not meant for anyone counting macros. But honestly, who’s counting when it looks this good?
Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Twists
Before the Cinnamon Twists came along, Taco Bell fans crunched on Cinnamon Crispas—sugary fried tortillas that disappeared in the late ‘80s. Their lighter successor? These airy, crispy puffed twists, coated in cinnamon-sugar and just daring you to eat only one handful. They may not be churros, but they’ve survived decades of menu shake-ups, and that’s no small snack feat.
Wendy’s Frosty
When Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio, he didn’t just bring square burgers—he blessed us with the Frosty. This thick, slurp-defiant dessert was made with a custom “light chocolate” blend that didn’t compete with burgers, only complemented them. Invented with help from supplier Fred Kappus, it’s been dunked into fries and hearts ever since. Spoon required, self-control not included.
Sonic Shake
Starting as Top Hat Drive-In in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Sonic made shakes part of its identity right from the jump. Built on real ice cream and serious variety, these thick, hand-mixed shakes range from old-school chocolate to offbeat options like Banana Cream Pie. The “Summer of Shakes” brought 25 flavors in one go—because moderation is for people without drive-thrus.
Chick-fil-A’s IceDream Cones
Before the chicken sandwich took over the nation, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy was scooping IceDream at the original Dwarf Grill in Atlanta. This vanilla soft serve—light, fluffy, and way more polite than other cones—officially became a menu staple in 1967 with the launch of Chick-fil-A. It may not be called “ice cream,” but it’s still the sweetest Southern sendoff to any meal.
Popeyes Hand Pies
Popeyes might be all about fried chicken, but don’t sleep on their Southern-style hand pies. These golden pockets of gooey goodness—like Cinnamon Apple and Strawberry Cheesecake—are throwbacks to homemade fried pies from way back. Founded by Al Copeland in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes keeps dessert handheld and unapologetically deep-fried, just like grandma intended.
McDonald’s McFlurry
Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, thanks to franchisee Ron McLellan, the McFlurry stirred up the frozen dessert game in 1995. This swirly masterpiece took soft serve and added crushed candies or cookies—starting with Oreo—and changed the game for good. It hit U.S. menus in 1997, but let’s be honest, Canada always had the better mix-ins. And yes, we’re still salty about the spoon that used to spin.
Dairy Queen’s Blizzard
Invented by franchisee Samuel Temperato in Missouri, the Blizzard hit Dairy Queen menus in 1985 and instantly turned soft serve into a customizable frozen empire. The thick mix of candy, cookies, or fruit was so sturdy, they started flipping cups upside down to prove it (and yes, they still do). With over 175 million sold in year one, this dessert wasn’t just a hit—it was a category.
