Every Fritos Flavor, Ranked Worst To Best

My introduction to Fritos corn chips started with something unusual my dad used to make as a snack when I was about 8 years old. He'd take the chips, smash them up into a bowl, mix in tons of mayonnaise and corn, then serve it up. I'll admit, at first I was appalled by the idea, but hear me out: It's actually a delicious concoction. Today, I've seen it called Frito corn salad on social media, and maybe I'll try it again as a tribute to my dad, who has since passed away.

Despite the nostalgic aspect, I rarely pick up a bag of Fritos when I get a hankering for a savory snack. The craving has to hit me in the snack aisle during paralysis analysis when I scan the shelves indecisively. The only other time I have ever felt this kind of choice overload is in the video store back in the '80s, mulling over videotapes looking for something to watch. As I've gotten older and now limit my snacking options, occasionally a bag of Fritos corn chips will end up in my basket next to a tin can of bean dip as an indulgence. My doctor would rub his index fingers together at me in shame if he knew.

But I'll keep treating myself to snacks as long as I can, and getting to rank each Fritos flavor is the perfect time to taste what I've been missing and let you know which ones you should grab if, like me, you get overwhelmed by choices and stand in the snack food aisle longer than you would anywhere else. Let's rank every Fritos flavor from worst to best.

There is no way I can pick up one of these chips and not think of fusilli, that twisty pasta that looks like a long corkscrew. But novelty aside, I'm not a fan. My rocky relationship with barbecue-flavored items is sordid. Anything in that category needs to meet a few things for my liking: boldness, texture, and sweetness.

Fritos Flavor Twists Honey BBQ already had me apprehensive based on the name. Honey isn't my favorite combo in a savory snack unless it's honey mustard, and even then the balance should be discernible. I opened the bag and was surprised at how fragrant these are. The barbecue really comes through, and you can smell the sweetness in the afternote. That familiar Fritos aroma is only slightly present.

I popped one in my mouth, and my fears were confirmed. The corn chip flavor is completely buried. And worse, they are overly sweet, not like candy, more like ketchup. I understand that some barbecue snacks are sweet, but the foundational flavor should come through too. In this case, Fritos. I tried another one, and my mind wasn't changed, but I made a second unpleasant discovery: These are gritty and felt like I fell mouth-first into a wet sandcastle. I did not like these, and if I ever see them offered at a party, I'd rather eat the invitation.

I have a love-hate relationship with barbecue chips. I think I need to be in the mood for them; they are never my first choice while browsing for a savory snack. Some popular BBQ potato chips are too sweet; others are not sweet enough. And then you have to anticipate the heat if it's a part of the recipe. It's a lot to think about while you're standing in the middle of a busy aisle.

Fritos Bar-B-Q corn chips are a good, quick choice if I'm looking for something tangy. But even then, I have to be in the mood. Fritos might understand the struggle since the flavor comes and goes in availability. So don't be surprised if you can't find them at your local grocery store.

I opened up the bag and was immediately hit with that recognizable corn chip aroma. It's mixed with a sweet note from the barbecue seasonings, like the pheromones of a summer picnic. The flavor is okay. I've had better; let's hear it for Lay's. I found that this is too smoky for my taste. I get that it's supposed to invoke a cookout, but for me, the lead flavor should be the first thing you taste. In this case, corn. Plus, I think they are just too sweet. This isn't my first choice of Fritos flavors, but I will get a bag if I'm indecisive about other chips of its ilk.

I love the original Fritos corn chips. That particular option's flavor and nostalgia remain in the Scoops variety. But these don't rank as high as the original for a few reasons.

First, the good news. The design is in the title, like edible spoons without the handle. They're Hoda Kotb's favorite snack for a reason, and it's a great feature if you go into dips like a construction site backhoe loader into fresh soil. Sometimes I do, and Fritos Scoops are a great utility to have around if you're a radical chip dipper. Although good tools, Scoops aren't texturally pleasant in my opinion. They are large, and unless you can stretch your jaw like a ball python, it's a two-bite ordeal which could lead to the etiquette faux pas of double-dipping. This might seem hyperbolic, but the fact that these are so thick makes them a little hard to chew.

I found this out when I tried them for this article. I dipped them in the Fritos bean dip and again, the flavor of the chip is fine; it tastes like a Frito corn chip, but the experience gave me intrusive thoughts about choking. For me, I would rather stick to the regular size and carefully pace myself around the dip bowl. That way, I can enjoy my snacking without scanning the room to see who I can trust to do the Heimlich maneuver.

Fritos Chili Cheese flavored chips are something near and dear to my heart. As a kid, my mother would make an old-school dish that might seem a little unusual: Frito pie using the chili cheese flavor. It was always one of the best meals I ate of the week.

Nostalgia is one thing, but how are these chips on their own? I have had them several times, but for this story, I cleared my mind and tricked it into thinking this was my inaugural bite. I feel like they don't taste much like chili or cheese. When I think of chili, I think about a savory bowl of meat, tomatoes, and cumin. These have an earthy flavor, but I think that comes from the heavy chili powder. Cheddar cheese is listed as an ingredient, but I have a tough time singling that out. All things considered, this Fritos flavor is pretty good, but I think the corn chips are better with a dip or baked into a casserole with shredded cheese, taco meat, and some garden-fresh salsa.

One of my favorite trends in snack foods has been the Flamin' Hot craze. It's a fad that I fully embrace and hasn't disappointed me yet. But can Fritos join the boom and come out a winner?

I'm happy to say yes! This is almost a perfect pairing of spiciness and corn. The precise recipe for Flamin' Hot seasonings is a trade secret, but one thing is for sure: Monosodium glutamate is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Fritos' version also includes romano cheese in the ingredients list, but who can tell underneath all that rich red powder?

I opened the bag and was immediately hit with a burst of that distinct Flamin' Hot aroma. It smells almost like blood and maybe a little like old pennies and corn. But am I weird to say that it's kinda comforting? The flavor has a sour quality, but the heat hits you like a Mack Truck. The corn flavor is still present, as are the red fingers. I really like these, and I will get them again in the near future. 

How can this be? The lightly salted flavor of Fritos corn chips is just as good as the original. It's like how Diet Dr Pepper or Diet A&W Root Beer are just as good as their full-sugar cousins.

I was skeptical about this product. I love the saltiness of Fritos original corn chips and how it brings out the robust nuances of deep-fried corn. I was curious how the sodium content actually compares and found out original Fritos contain 170 milligrams of sodium per serving, whereas the lightly salted ones deliver 80 milligrams for about the same amount. But you won't miss it. In fact, for some, these might even be a better choice. I took one bite and immediately noticed the corn flavor really comes through. They aren't bland either: It's a subtle buildup of salt that kind of blooms in your mouth.

Also, pairing these with your favorite dip might make you feel a little better since you won't be getting a lot of sodium from the chip itself. That Frito corn oil texture is still present, and I got that satisfaction of snacking without worrying about my sodium intake. Health reasons or not, these chips are only second to the original, and even then I feel like they could be tied.

Maybe it's just me, but original Fritos are still the king of all corn chips. They might be considered basic by today's standards, with switcheroos, reverse collabs, and unconventional chip flavors being so popular. But there's something pure about grabbing a yellow and red bag of these slightly curled fried rectangles.

The first thing you get is that familiar hint of fried, ground corn. It's the same smell I get from my puppy's paws, which is always comfy and warm. I am not the type of person to just eat one at a time, so I ate three at once. The saltiness hits you straight away, but even as bold as that is, there is also a slight sweetness to them. Eating more than one coats your tongue with corn oil, and your mouth becomes like a wax melt burner, giving off fumes of family picnics and toasted corn without the wasps. Nothing beats these original chips. I have tried the generic store brands, but none can compare to the perfect crunchiness or flavor of Fritos Original.

I loved doing this review. I have always been a fan of Fritos — a vintage snack people loved even back in the 1930s — and trying all of them feels like a privilege. There are only a few in the lineup, so the comparisons were relatively easy.

What I think makes Fritos stand out from other salty snacks is flavor. The deep-fried corn mixed with salt is like a Wayback Machine for your taste buds. So that was the first measure on which this list is based: Whether that distinct flavor is still there even when mixed with others. That being said, I also rated each version on the flavor it was advertising. I feel like snack chips have taken big swings on flavor innovations lately, but sometimes the risk feels noticeably like a cash grab. Furthermore, I only tried the Fritos available at the supermarket right now. 

Since I don't consider Fritos a regular chip on my rotation list, I wanted to know which one I would revisit — the one I can rely on every time my snack aisle analysis paralysis kicks in and I just want to choose something quickly. Mission complete.