Halloween Heat: McDonald’s and Burger King Unveil Spicy, Spooky Nuggets

Chicken nugget lovers can celebrate Halloween with spicy, spooky options from McDonald’s and Burger King. As McDonald’s reintroduces its popular Spicy McNuggets at select locations, Burger King tests its Halloween-themed “Spooky Nuggs,” featuring bat, ghost, and pumpkin shapes, in Columbus, Georgia.

McDonald’s Brings Back Spicy McNuggets and Nostalgic Boo Buckets for Limited Time

This Halloween, McDonald’s and Burger King roll out limited-time, spooky-themed offerings. The decades-old competition between the fast-food giants continues with Halloween-inspired nuggets that could make a fun addition to any Halloween feast.

McDonald’s will reintroduce its fan-favorite Spicy McNuggets on November 4, 2024, a few days after Halloween. Known for their crispy coating with a hint of cayenne and chili pepper, these nuggets offer a mild spice level that enhances the classic McNugget experience. However, availability is limited to select locations, including cities like Memphis, New York, Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston. Customers can check the McDonald’s app for a complete list of participating locations. Since their 2020 debut, Spicy McNuggets have been an on-and-off item on McDonald’s menu, with fans pushing for a permanent addition.

McDonald’s has also brought back the nostalgic Happy Meal Boo Buckets, available since October 15, 2024. According to Fast Food Club, these themed pails, temporarily replacing traditional Happy Meal packaging, come in four vibrant colors with customizable stickers, making them a seasonal favorite for collectors and young fans.

Burger King Tests ‘Spooky Nuggs’ and Launches Addams Family Menu for Halloween

Burger King has responded to the Halloween spirit with its “Spooky Nuggs” test launch in Columbus, Georgia. These themed nuggets, shaped like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins, are a playful twist on the traditional nugget and may see a wider release depending on feedback. Burger King’s recent spicy nugget attempts, including the Ghost Pepper Nuggets in 2021 and Fiery Chicken Nuggets in February 2024, have brought varying levels of heat, with Fiery Chicken Nuggets featuring a glaze made from bird’s eye chili, cayenne, and black pepper.

The brand has also made headlines with its Halloween-inspired Addams Family Menu for 2024. Highlights include Wednesday’s Whopper, featuring a purple bun, Thing’s Rings (onion rings), Morticia’s Kooky Chocolate Shake, and Gomez’s Churro Fries. The entire menu can be enjoyed with the Creepy and Kooky Meal for $12, available through November 10, 2024, exclusively for Royal Perks members.

Popular Chains Embrace Halloween Spirit with Limited-Edition Treats from Krispy Kreme, Jack in the Box, and Baskin-Robbins

Beyond nuggets, other popular chains have joined the Halloween festivities with special treats:

• Krispy Kreme’s Ghostbusters Collection: Known for limited-time doughnut releases, Krispy Kreme offers a Ghostbusters Collection with doughnuts inspired by the film’s characters. The Ecto-Sprinkler Doughnut, a part of this collection, pairs well with the limited-edition Slimer’s Slime-ade drink.
  
• Jack in the Box’s Monster Taco: Returning for a fourth year, the Monster Taco is now available in a “Mummy Wrapped” version with a flour tortilla, nacho cheese, and bacon. Pair it with Jack’s “Witch Please” Shake, an Oreo milkshake with ube flavor, for a satisfying salty and sweet combo.
  
• Baskin-Robbins’ Spooktacular Polar Pizza: This dessert pizza features a chocolate chip cookie base topped with TWIX Caramel Crunch ice cream, Halloween sprinkles, M&M’s, and chocolate fudge—an ideal sweet shareable for any Halloween party.

These Halloween specials from fast-food favorites are available for a limited time, making them a festive choice to celebrate the season before they vanish.