Move over, salty snacks. The sweet and spicy (aka swicy) takeover is here. Apparently, sugar and spice don’t just belong in desserts anymore. Swicy foods are everywhere, from the snack aisles to your favorite fast food chains and restaurants. We’ve rounded up the 10 best that will leave your taste buds wanting more!
10. Hot Tamales Tropical Heat
The Hot Tamales Tropical Heat is a tropical twist on the chewy, spicy candy made by Just Born. There are three flavors that offer novelty and surprise: Mango Tango, Limon Fever, and Pineapple Picante. It offers a mix of fruity punch, soft chew, and a teasing kick! The heat level is moderate, just spicy enough to add thrill to your snack game.
9. Kettle Brand Gochujang Chips
For this next snack, you’re in for a treat! You’re not just getting sweet and spicy notes, but also salty, earthy, and deep umami. That’s because these chips feature gochujang, a traditional Korean fermented chili paste you often see in bibimbap. For the chips, though, fans say that there’s also a hint of BBQ flavor, which makes them even more addicting!
8. Subway’s Hot Honey Pepperoni Sub
Subway just hopped onto the hot honey trend, and you’re gonna love their new offering! The Hot Honey Pepperoni sandwich flexes crunch, freshness, and just the right sauce. The swicy sauce is made with natural honey, habanero pepper powder, cayenne, garlic, onion, and cloves. And the combo of pepperoni and provolone? Umami overload!
7. Taco Bell’s Diablo Sauce
Taco Bell has collaborated with Mike’s Hot Honey to create a new sauce that brings a “mouth-tingling kick” to your next chicken nuggets experience. Forget everything you know about hot honey because this new sauce blends honey and chili peppers with Taco Bell’s smoky, fiery Diablo heat for a one-of-a-kind flavor. Go ahead; dip, dunk, and drizzle!
6. Red Robin’s Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
If a swicy pepperoni sandwich isn’t enough, here’s another pepperoni-packed treat you can’t miss. And yes, it’s swicy, too! Red Robin also teamed up with Mike’s Hot Honey for the Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza, which features fresh mozzarella, smoked provolone, crushed red pepper, and a drizzle of hot honey. The perfect pair? The chain’s new Mango Passion Lemonade!
5. Pringles Hot Honey Crisps
For all Pringles fans out there, bring on the heat and turn up the sweet with the brand’s Hot Honey Crisps. These chips got the classic Pringles crunch plus the combo of mild honey sweetness and cayenne-powered kick. Just beware of the ultra-thin design. They give a a quick crunch and dissolves fast, you might finish a can in one sitting.
4. Zaxby’s Sweet & Spicy Boneless Wings
Looking for the perfect midnight snack? Zaxby’s got you covered with their new Zappetizer Trio, a deal that lets you enjoy your choice of three sides for $9.99. Their boneless wings with sweet and spicy sauce are included in the options, as well as crowd-favorites like Veggie Egg Rolls and Fried Pickles. The entire meal also comes with three sauces to dip your appetizers into!
3. Blue Diamond Mike’s Hot Honey Almonds
The #1 almond brand collaborated with the #1 hot honey brand, and the result is a snack that perfectly combines silky sweetness with spicy warmth. The almonds are roasted with honey flavoring, and the swicy flavor makes it really hard to stop at one handful! These almonds are versatile, too. You can sprinkle them over salads, add to charcuterie boards, or just munch them straight from the can.
2. Chipotle’s Honey Chicken
The new Chipotle Honey Chicken from Chipotle has become our latest swicy obsession for two main reasons: grill-seared juiciness and three-tiered flavor profile. The chicken is tender and moist, while the flavor is smoky then sweet, with a peppery kick. You can get the Chipotle Honey Chicken for your burrito, bowl, quesadilla or salad. Just act fast because this is a limited-time offer!
1. Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Chips
For the number one spot, we have Doritos’ iconic triangular chips with a flavor that keeps your taste buds on high alert. It’s not just sweet then spicy. It’s sweet and garlicky at first, and the flavor builds into a chili pepper heat that lingers. It’s also among the few vegan Doritos flavors out there, so nearly everyone can enjoy this incredibly flavorful snack!