Spicy Foods Trending on Menus: Boosting Foot Traffic and Flavor with AutoFry

In recent years, spicy foods have gained significant traction across menus worldwide, offering bold flavors that tantalize taste buds and attract diners seeking culinary excitement. This rising trend is making waves, particularly in fast-casual dining, where innovative uses of spices and heat-enhanced ingredients are being spotlighted.

From hot honey to gochujang, fiery flavors are drawing customers in, often increasing foot traffic and creating loyal customers who crave the thrill of spice. One of the exciting ways businesses can capitalize on this trend is by combining popular spicy ingredients with fried food, using kitchen equipment like the AutoFry® to simplify and enhance the cooking process.

Spicy Food Trends That Are Heating Up

1. Hot Honey
   Hot honey—a perfect marriage of sweet and spicy—is emerging as a must-have condiment. Its versatile nature allows it to elevate everything from pizza to fried chicken, and even fries. The combination of sweetness with a peppery kick makes it irresistible, appealing to a broad range of customers who want just a hint of heat. Drizzling hot honey over crispy, chicken tenders or onion rings creates a bold flavor contrast that keeps customers coming back for more.
2. Chamoy
   Chamoy, a Mexican sauce made from pickled fruit, chiles, and lime, offers a unique balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Traditionally served with fruits or corn chips, it's now appearing in innovative ways, like as a topping for fried snacks or incorporated into dipping sauces. chamoy pairs beautifully with fried offerings like churros or chicken wings, offering a spicy-tangy twist that customers won’t forget.
3. Gochujang
   This Korean fermented chili paste has been a staple in Korean cuisine for centuries but is now making its way into global menus as a star ingredient. gochujang delivers complex layers of heat, sweetness, and umami, making it an ideal component in sauces, marinades, or glazes. Picture crispy chicken wings or nuggets tossed in a gochujang glaze—spicy, savory, and sticky, it’s the kind of dish that guarantees repeat visits from spice-seeking patrons.

How Spicy Foods and AutoFry Go Hand in Hand

Spicy food trends offer endless opportunities for restaurants, bars, convenience stores, and fast-casual spots to experiment with bold, new menu items. The challenge for many, however, is finding a way to efficiently execute these offerings without overloading the kitchen. This is where ventless frying systems like the AutoFry come in. AutoFry simplifies the process of frying everything from chicken to snacks and appetizers, with consistent results and minimal labor required.

By leveraging the power of AutoFry, businesses can easily add crave-worthy, spicy items to their menu with minimal investment. Here’s how some of these spicy trends could be used with AutoFry fried foods:

• Hot Honey Drizzle: After frying up a batch of chicken tenders or mozzarella sticks, give them a quick drizzle of hot honey to create a simple, yet innovative offering that adds both visual and flavor appeal.
• Chamoy Dipping Sauce: Pair AutoFry fried pickles, onion rings, or fries with a chamoy dipping sauce for a snack that satisfies both the heat lovers and those who appreciate tangy, complex flavors.
• Gochujang Glaze: Toss fried wings, shrimp, or tofu in a gochujang glaze for a spicy, savory coating that’s packed with umami goodness. This could become a signature item that customers seek out for its unique heat and flavor.

Why Spicy Foods Drive Foot Traffic

Spicy foods trigger an exciting sensory experience that many diners actively seek out. Offering these trending ingredients in creative ways not only sets your menu apart but also encourages repeat visits. According to studies, consumers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are increasingly attracted to bold, global flavors and are willing to travel for specialty dishes that feature spicy or exotic elements. Additionally, word-of-mouth marketing and social media buzz can be powerful tools; customers are likely to share their experiences, especially when it comes to trying something unique, like hot honey-drizzled fries or gochujang-tossed wings.

By tapping into the spicy food trend and utilizing easy-to-use kitchen tools like AutoFry, businesses can offer bold, innovative menu items without complicating their operations. The result is a win-win: customers are drawn in by the promise of exciting flavors, while operators benefit from increased foot traffic and repeat business.

The trend toward spicy foods shows no signs of cooling down. By incorporating popular ingredients like hot honey, chamoy, and gochujang into fried offerings prepared with the help of AutoFry, businesses can easily ride this wave, offering craveable dishes that customers will remember and return for.