What’s New in Food This Summer? 6-7 Nuggets, Crumbl's Chocolate Chip Cookie Overhaul & More

You’ve spent the past year getting trolled by your kids with their “6-7” chants—now is the time to get back at them. Perdue is leaning into the cringe (and pop culture moment) with a limited-edition run of nuggets shaped into sixes and sevens. They’re only available at Walmart stores, and I can attest: Kids may groan, but they’ll gobble them up faster than their beloved dinos.

Back in 2016, I sampled every treat on the Silos Baking Co.’s launch day menu. And a decade later, I still dream of the Prize Pig biscuits. Joanna Gaines shared the recipe in her second Magnolia Table cookbook, but now they’re easier than ever to replicate at home. The cheddar-and-bacon-studded biscuits are now sold premade, in the frozen food aisle at Target, so all you have to do is pop them in the oven and bake. They’re smaller than the ones you’d get in Waco, but just as buttery and pillowy.

Gaines also launched frozen brownie cookies, and while I’m normally not so crazy about store-bought brookies (they’re often too tough and underwhelming in the cocoa department), these had a pleasantly rich chocolate flavor and soft chewiness.

July 4^th marks the 250^th anniversary of American independence, and with it comes all-new ways to toast to the red, white and blue. You can start your day with Chobani American Blueberry Creamer in your La Colombe 1776 Liberty Cold Brew, as your kids decorate Pillsbury Toaster Strudels (featuring a strawberries-and-cream-striped interior) with blue frosting or nosh on limited-edition Birthday Cake Cheerios (which are patriotically speckled, of course). Then, at your afternoon cookout, you can serve Funfetti Stars & Stripes Red Swirl Cake or Betty Crocker America’s Birthday Cake Soft Baked Cookies for dessert.

Somebody give the Khloud R&D team a raise, because they are working overtime. The brand seems to launch something new every month—and the flavors are remarkably on point. The latest, in honor of the brand’s anniversary, tastes like vanilla cake batter and it packs 7 grams of protein per serving.

Fellow bakers know that fresh vanilla beans liven up a dessert better than liquid extracts, though the pods can be pricey—and a pain to slice open and use. That’s what makes Rising Star Baking Supply’s Squeezable Vanilla Bean Paste so delightful: You get all of the flavor and none of the mess. The bottles are easy to pour and measure—and swirl into your homemade lattes, for the TikTok baristas among us. (On that note, the brand also sells Baker’s Syrups in flavors like Cinnamon, Salted Caramel and Matcha.) Find them in Target and Walmart stores.

The chocolatey hazelnut spread you eat out of the jar can now be eaten by the pint. Available by the jar or in cones, both styles feature Nutella-flavored ice cream swirled with Nutella and topped with a satisfying chocolate shell on top. It's every bit as creamy and decadent as you imagine, and oh so satisfying to crack through the chocolatey top layer.

Year after year, Ghirardelli’s brownie mix beats out the rest in our taste tests. But can the brand top itself? If you’re a milk chocolate fan, the answer is yes. The company just launched Milk Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix, offering a sweeter take on its seriously fudgy brownies.

You haven’t had an ice cream sandwich until you’ve tried a FatBoy Ice Cream Sandwich. They live up to the name—they’re practically a meal—and this summer, the company’s launching three new varieties: S’mores Ice Cream Sandwich Pops, Waffle Cone Ice Cream Sandwich Pops and Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches. You had me at s’mores, honestly, but the Waffle Cone is also noteworthy, given its caramel swirl and coating of chocolate and waffle cone bits.

Baking with your kids is a blast! The cleanup…everywhere…not so much. Reynolds Kitchens set out to change that with its new Countertop Prep Paper, which lightly adheres to the table using water. You just tear off the size you want, dampen the counter and place it shiny-side-down on top. (As a result, it’s also nonslip.)

While I know this isn’t food, it makes cooking—and cleanup—so easy that I needed to put it on your radar. It’s a game-changer, whether you’re prepping for pizza night or finally getting in on the table nachos trend.

I got hooked on Grüns's Superfoods Greens gummies during their Strawberry Vanilla Olipop collaboration. And while that variety is sold out, there's a new limited-edition flavor worth noting: Firecracker Popsicle. Each single-serving packet is designed to support your overall gut health while tasting remarkably like the cherry, lime and blue raspberry pop you grew up with (albeit less cold and much chewier).

Before you stock up, be sure to consult your doctor first, and know that these supplements contain iron and are not for kids.

Rosé season is upon us, and while there’s no shortage of options to choose from, the Dancing 2025 variety stands out for its complexity. It has a bright, juicy flavor that can hold its own against seafood and summer produce. With notes of watermelon and strawberry, it’ll be a crowd-pleaser at your next party.

Dad doesn’t need another tie. Or more golf gear. But there’s always room for something to eat, right? The company has a variety of gift boxes themed for Father’s Day (which is Sunday, June 21, BTW), but two standouts are the Father’s Day Jerky Gift Box and Grass-Fed Beef Sampler. The former features four types of artisanal jerky and sausage sticks, along with Hot and Sweet Beer Mustard. Meanwhile, the latter provides a feast the whole family can enjoy (if Dad’s feeling generous), featuring two 10-ounce ribeye steaks, two 10-ounce New York strip steaks, two 6-ounce filets mignon and two 5-ounce burger patties.

Summer often ushers in a new round of limited-edition chips, and this season is no different. Kroger is going all Willy Wonka this season, launching a Sizzlin’ Snack Trio that offers a full cookout in chip form. One bag tastes like buttered corn (no, really), the second like Chili Cheese (it’s surprisingly meaty with a light smokiness) and the third, Cheeseburger (down to a briny pickle note).

If you don’t live near a Kroger—or you’re just really into chips—don’t miss Graza’s foray into the chip aisle. Yes, the company known for its Drizzle, Sizzle and Frizzle olive oils is debuting four types of chips (which are cooked in its EVOO, as you might expect). There’s Classic Sea Salt, Sa Salt & Vinegar, Hot & Sweet (featuring Graza’s datil chile spice blend) and—for my girl dinner devotees—Zesty Caesar, which has the garlicky notes you associate with the iconic salad dressing.

Toll House put the chocolate chip cookie on the map, but that doesn't mean the brand's resting on its laurels. You'll want to hit up your local Walmart or grocery store to get your hands on its three Chocolate Chip Remix doughs—featuring haute homemade twists on the classic—as well as the very FIFA-appropriate soccer ball morsel-topped cookie dough.

While the soccer variety is festive, the Remix lineup truly stands out for elevating your standard store-bought dough. The hardest part is deciding which to try first: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Inside Out Cookie (a chocolate cookie with white chocolaty morsels) or Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.

Great Wolf Lodge, the kid-friendly resort known for its massive indoor/outdoor water parks, is giving you one more reason to book a long weekend this summer. Ten locations—including its California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio lodges—will be offering a Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs pop-up, featuring five regional riffs on hot dogs in honor of America's 250th birthday.

Called the Hot Dog Days of Summer, the menu features a classic Chicago Dog (poppy seed bun and all!), a twist on the Sonoran, known as the Southwest Dog (while it isn't bacon-wrapped, the all-beef frank is loaded with grilled jalapeños, pico de gallo, avocado, crema and crushed tortilla chips); and the Carolina Dog, which is piled high with pulled pork, coleslaw, a pickle spear, chopped onions and Carolina Gold barbecue sauce.

I got to try the entire lineup early, and while the Southwest was a personal favorite for how nicely the creaminess of the avocado and crema paired with the salty, smoky hot dog, I have to call out two as must-tries, just because they're such standouts: the New England Lobster Dog and the Big Texas Dog.

If you like lobster rolls—heck, if you've been unimpressed by lobster rolls but enjoy lobster—give this dog a try. The Nathan's hot dog offers some much-needed salt that livens up the New England classic. Great Wolf uses knuckle meat, too, offering more flavor than your typical roll, and whatever you do, spritz the whole thing with lemon before taking a bite. It brightens everything.

If you're not into seafood and simply want a crowd-pleaser, go for the Big Texas. In early taste tests, it was the fan favorite, and I could see why—it's topped with brisket chili that has a hit of coffee, offering a surprising depth of flavor, and the finely shredded cheddar cheese just takes your classic chili dog to the next level.

While the New England Lobster Dog is only available at the full-service restaurants (and at a higher price point of $24.99, given the ingredients), the other hot dogs can be found at the Nathan's pop-up in participating lodges. Each of those comes with chips and a fountain soda for $16.99.

When it comes to cookies, I have strong opinions on chocolate chip cookies—and I'm on a constant quest for the very best one. It turns out Crumbl has been on a similar journey, as the brand just launched its new take on a chocolate chip cookie. This one is chewier, with richer brown sugar notes and a more homemade, nostalgic vibe. There are large milk chocolate chips and semisweet chunks throughout, and while I could always go for more chocolate chips, I have to admit: This is one solid cookie.

You can order it now, and on that front, you may notice a few changes to the menu: Instead of six permanent classics, the brand will be offering four seasonally updated classics (right now, it's the Chocolate Chip Cookie, S'mores Cookie, Pink Sugar Cookie and Brownie Batter Cookie), along with six flavors that change weekly. You'll also be able to snag a different set of Thins cookies each week too.

Normally, I'm not big on chicken salad, but Jersey Mike's changed my mind. It features tons of juicy chicken breast that's lightly tossed in mayo—so it's not gloppy or gooey—with just a little diced celery and black pepper to liven things up. You can order it as a sub, wrap or bowl, but whatever you do, add some crushed potato chips for extra crunch. It makes the meal sing.

Blizzards for breakfast?! OK, sort of. Dairy Queen recently launched a new trio of desserts inspired by nostalgic breakfast foods. There’s the Fruity Pebbles Shake, which blends vanilla soft serve, milk and the crispy cereal into a whipped cream-topped drink. You can also order a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dipped Cone, which is exactly as it sounds: vanilla soft serve dunked in a cinnamon cereal-flavored cone and coated with cereal bits and Cinnadust, making for a sweet, very cinnamon-forward treat.

Then there’s my personal favorite, the Choco Frosted Donut Blizzard, which combines DQ soft serve with chocolate-frosted donut bits and sprinkles. If you’re a chocoholic like me, ask for the chocolate soft serve as the base. You won’t be disappointed.

Just note that they’re only available for a limited time, so don’t sleep (in) on this.

Chipotle Honey Chicken is back at the Mexican grill—for the time being—and if you’re into swicy flavors, you need to try it ASAP. It’s one of the best dishes I’ve tried over the past month…and I’ve sampled a ton. There’s a great balance of smoky and sweet flavors, with a slow-building heat, so you can go easy on the sauces and salsas (unless you want to cool things down with a dollop of guac or sour cream).

Sad desk lunch? Not here, especially if you’re ordering Cava’s new Glazed Salmon. The salmon was a bit tougher than others I’ve tried, but the sticky-sweet glaze made up for it, offering a fruity note to offset the umami flavor. I prefer it as part of the Salmon + Yogurt Dill Bowl (hummus adds creamy contrast, while feta and peppery arugula keep it from veering too mild), though you can add this protein to any build-your-own bowl.

The Cravings founder and cookbook author teamed up with Noodles & Company to launch a crispy treat studded with butterscotch, peanut butter and corn flakes, but the real showstopper in their partnership is the Chicken Artichoke Asparagus Rigatoni. Served in a garlic herb sauce, it’s hearty yet still feels fresh—so you’re not slumping at your desk half an hour after lunch.

Blame it on Freestyle machines and the Dirty Soda trend, but incredibly complex, customized drinks are everywhere these days, and the Golden Arches are no exception. McDonald’s has added six new drinks to its menu, ranging from lemonade-based Refreshers to ‘crafted’ sodas. I’ve noted all six below, but I’ll cut to the chase: Order the Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher first. It’s sweet-tart without overpowering your taste buds, cutting through the saltiness of an order of fries or Quarter Pounder nicely.

• Strawberry Watermelon Refresher: Strawberry-watermelon-infused lemonade topped with freeze-dried strawberries for a sweet taste of summer that’s almost Jolly Rancher-like
• Mango Pineapple Refresher: Mango-pineapple lemonade swirled with strawberry popping boba, creating an explosion of tropical flavor
• Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher: Blackberry-passion fruit lemonade with freeze-dried dragon fruit pieces, which is fruity without skewing too sweet
• Sprite Berry Blast: Cold foam-topped Sprite that’s infused with blue raspberry flavor, giving it an oceanic vibe
• Orange Dream: Hi-C Orange Lavaburst mixed with vanilla and topped with cold foam for a Creamsicle-like flavor
• Dirty Dr. Pepper: Cold foam-topped Dr. Pepper infused with vanilla, making it taste like a vanilla float without the ice cream

I’m not sure anyone’s ever bitten into a Crunchwrap and thought, you know, this just isn’t enough Crunchwrap for me, but if so, the Bell delivers with its new Triple Double Crunchwrap. It’s best eaten in-store or right out of the drive-thru, as it features twice as much beef and nacho cheese. Even with two tostada shells instead of one, they get soggy fast…but the end product is still a savory, cheesy delight.

Equally noteworthy is its even newer launch: the Cantina Chicken Mexican Pizza. The Mexican pizza has long been a fan favorite, but it really rose in popularity after it casually appeared in Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s picnic proposal pics. Now, it’s getting an a-list-caliber upgrade, with the launch of the Cantina Chicken Mexican Pizza. It features Cantina chicken, black beans, green chile sauce, purple cabbage, three types of shredded cheese and pico de gallo. And you can get it with the new Jalapeño Citrus Salsa, making this a bright, refreshing take on the classic drive-thru fare.

Chili’s is getting in on the Chicken Sandwich Showdown, and the chain didn’t come to play. It launched six variations on its Big Crispy Sandwich (two of which are available on the 3 for Me menu, which includes a side, drink, and chips and salsa or a side salad or soup for $10.99).

The chicken sandwich is easily shareable—it’s that massive—with thick, crispy breading that can stand up to whatever toppings or sauces you dose it in. I’ve been impressed with how well-seasoned and juicy the chicken is, making it one of the better chicken sandos you can order from a chain, and I’m looking forward to trying all of these riffs in due time:

• Big Crispy — This is the classic sandwich, which I’ve tried. It’s served with mayo and pickles on a toasted bun, and it’s part of the 3 for Me menu right now.
• Spicy Big Crispy — Same sandwich, only topped with spicy mayo, and currently part of the 3 for Me menu
• Honey-Chipotle Big Crispy — The crispy chicken’s tossed in honey-chipotle sauce, much like the chicken crispers, offering a sweet-smoky flavor with a bit of heat. This meal comes with mac and cheese and fries.
• Nashville Hot Big Crispy — Chili’s Nashville Hot seasoning is spicier to me than its honey-chipotle, so I’d recommend ordering this sandwich with a side of ranch (or two) to cool things down.
• Buffalo Big Crispy — Back in my day, this was Chili’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and it was my go-to. I’m not sure how different this version is, but one thing’s for sure: Ask for extra napkins.
• Deluxe Big Crispy — The classic sandwich topped with thick-cut bacon, Swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato. It, too, comes with fries and mac and cheese.

Garlic-seasoned Chicken Fries and a Blue Cookie Shake, apparently. Those are just two of the items in the Mandalorian-themed menu, which includes a BBQ Bounty Whopper (featuring the flame-grilled burger topped with pickles, lettuce, bacon, tomato and a creamy barbecue sauce) served in a helmet-shaped carton. I’m most excited about the Imperial Cheddar Ranch Tots, which are cheddar-stuffed tater tots coated in ranch seasoning.

The lineup aptly launched on May 4^th (AKA Star Wars Day, AKA “May the Fourth Be With You”), just ahead of Baby Yoda’s silver screen moment, as The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 21. (I know he’s not “baby Yoda,” but he will always be Baby Yoda to me.)