Chick-fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake is returning for the first time in over a decade
Chick-fil-A is bringing back a fan favorite for the first time in 13 years.
“I can't tell you the number of times I've gone to family reunions or spoken to someone at the store who found out I work at Chick-fil-A, ‘When is that Banana Pudding Milkshake coming back?’” said Chick-fil-A Chef Christy Cook.
The shake will return on Aug. 26, the same day as a new variation of the hit Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich.
USA TODAY was invited to Chick-fil-A’s Test Kitchen outside Atlanta to preview both items. Here’s what fans can expect.
What is Chick-fil-A's newest item?
Chick-fil-A's newest sandwich is the Spicy Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich. It's a spicier sibling of the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich introduced last year.
“It's really about building on the Original, without kind of covering up the Original,” said Chick-fil-A senior lead culinary developer and chef Stuart Tracy, who crafted the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, the company's first-ever spin on its Original Chicken Sandwich.
The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich was very popular, but Tracy said they noticed something as it rolled out.
“A lot of customers were customizing it with a spicy filet instead of our Original filet,” said Tracy. “That had long been my secret favorite. I just like spicier stuff.”
The new Spicy Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich will feature a spicy filet, mild pickled jalapeños, pimento cheese, and a honey drizzle on a toasted bun.
The pimento cheese is tasty and complements the sandwich without overtaking it, while the jalapeños add heat to the already spicy filet.
The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich will also be available.
Is Chick-fil-A going to sell banana pudding?
Not pudding, but Chick-fil-A will offer the Banana Pudding Milkshake and new Banana Frosted Coffee.
“When I think about banana pudding, I think about family reunions and community and something where I'm gathering with friends, and so that's what we want to convey with this shake,” Cook said.
The milkshake tastes just like classic banana pudding with a bit of crunch and lot of chill.
“It starts with our Icedream dessert, which you guys know that's been on our menu since we opened. This delicious vanilla Chick-fil-A Icedream and the sweet cream shake base, which is also very unique to Chick-fil-A,” Cook said. “We put (in) the bananas – natural bananas, banana puree – and then the crushed vanilla wafers. And then, oh, all of that gets topped with the whipped cream and cherry.”
The Banana Frosted Coffee will be “a blend of cold-brewed coffee, the brand’s signature Icedream dessert, banana and vanilla wafer cookie crumbles,” according to a press release from the company. (We did not taste-test this menu item.)
Customers who want regular banana pudding will have to go to Chick-fil-A’s sister restaurants in Georgia: Truett’s Grill, Truett’s Chick-fil-A, the Dwarf House, and the Dwarf House in Hapeville, where it's on the permanent menu.
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How long will the items be available?
Like all limited-time Chick-fil-A items, the items will be available while supplies last.
That’s typically around 10 weeks.