I am personally of the belief that food is just a vehicle for sauce. More often than not, I don't even care about what I'm eating—I'm just looking for a way to get ranch or hot sauce in my mouth.
So, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I was thrilled over the news that Popeyes was bottling its most beloved flavors. Just last month, the Cajun-style fast food joint announced that its bestselling Blackened Ranch, Sweet Heat, and Mardi Gras Mustard sauce trio would arrive on grocery store shelves sometime this spring. Now that dream has finally become a reality—and we were among the first to get an at-home taste.
While I would've loved an excuse to order up some Popeyes chicken tenders, I wanted to experience the sauce the way it was intended—i.e., with something out of my fridge or freezer. (After all, if ordered from the actual fast food chain, I could just get a side of sauces with my meal.)
I tossed some nuggets in the air fryer on high to crisp them up as close to Popeyes nuggs as possible and prepped my sauces: one ramekin of Blackened Ranch and one ramekin of Sweet Heat. After popping the crispy chicken pieces out of the air fryer and plating them, it was time for my first taste.
As a Midwestern girlie who cherishes the creamy buttermilk condiment maybe more than any other, I opted for Blackened Ranch first—and it was just as I remember from the restaurant. It has that creamy, herby foundation we all know and love, but with a peppery kick and Cajun seasoning. I could taste garlic, onion, paprika, and either cayenne or chili powder, which together add another layer to the sauce that brings a chicken nugget (or whatever you choose to dip) to a whole new level.
Next up was the Sweet Heat, which I've never actually tried at Popeyes. It seemed to have all the makings of a perfect sauce, thanks to its sweet and spicy flavor combo. I wasn't sure what to expect (was it going to be too sweet? Too spicy? Not sweet or spicy enough?), but I was so impressed at just the first bite. The balance was perfect. The honey tempered out the spice a bit, but without suppressing the heat too much. While anything tastes good dunked in ranch, the Sweet Heat has so much cooking potential. I can't wait to marinate chicken, toss it with beef, or even try it with some veggies.
The Blackened Ranch and Sweet Heat sauces began their rollout last month in Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Food Lion, and Amazon, and the Mardi Gras Mustard will be joining them in May. I fully recommend!
