Review: I Tried Kraft Mac & Cheese Cinnamon Roll & Chili Crisp And I'm Still In Shock

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There once was a time when Kraft Mac & Cheese was simply ... Kraft Mac & Cheese. Those days are over. Now Kraft Mac & Cheese can be anything and everything. You're into "Paw Patrol" or "Spongebob SquarePants?" They've got mac & cheese in themed shapes. Need more protein? They've got you covered with PowerMac. Ever wonder what it tastes like as an ice cream flavor? Sorry, you missed the boat on that one. And don't even get us started on the endless array of odd flavors over the years, from candy to apple pie. Well, as fall is in full swing, and we look to familiar holiday flavors as well as ones to cozy up to, Kraft is delivering two new Mac & Cheese flavors to perhaps match — Chili Crisp and Cinnamon Roll.

Chili Crisp we get. Who doesn't like a dash of spice, especially to gussy up a standard bowl of mac and cheese? But wait, what — Cinnamon Roll-flavored Kraft Mac & Cheese? Is this an April Fool's joke that somehow landed in November? Or perhaps is this no laughing matter and is the next greatest step in eating evolution? Without a single bite, the internet has spoken that the Cinnamon Roll flavor crosses a line.

We at The Takeout are always up for an eating challenge, and tackled this one with an open mind and an open mouth. With two spoons in hand, we mixed up both of these new Mac & Cheese varieties to see if the fervor was warranted, or whether these are the greatest and most flavorful gift of the season. Now all can be revealed in this cheesy and sweet chew and review.

As they were rolling out on shelves, the fine folks at Kraft sent over a box of each of its new Mac & Cheese flavors — Chili Crisp and Cinnamon Roll. Each Mac & Cheese was prepared at home, with the assistance of the true chef of my household, my wonderful wife, who also lent herself for the taste testing that followed.

While I took her feedback into consideration, this review was drawn from my own personal tastes and opinions. I also took into account my previous experiences with Kraft Mac & Cheese, mac and cheese in general, and the flavor profiles of chili crisp and cinnamon roll. The criteria upon which I determined my final verdict included: flavor, appearance, smell, temperature, spice, sweetness, familiarity, originality, palatability, and ultimately whether one or both are worth your dime and time.

Recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

When I laid my eyes upon the Kraft Mac & Cheese Chili Crisp, with its lively, arty design, cool red hue, and photo of what it would look like, I was almost already convinced this was going to be a winner. Inside the box, the macaroni bits are the standard thin tubes we've all seen a zillion times before. The difference, as usual, lies in the seasoning packet. I tore it open, and, sight unseen, dipped my nose into its void. The aroma of chiles filled my nostrils, and actually started to tickle my nose. It kind of smelled like Takis. Thirty seconds later, my sinuses started to feel a little clearer. As I poured the packet into the noodles in the pot, the vivid color screamed of artificiality. It's the kind of seasoning one would dust on popcorn to make it cheddar cheesy.

Once mixed together, and the powder turned into a lacquer, this mac and cheese's identity took a much more attractive turn. The noodles were reddish-orange, and each seemed to be decked out with a flake of chili. It could almost pass for a home cooked pasta dish from a renowned Italian restaurant.

After enjoying ogling, it was time to dive in. The first part of each bite started off with a winning cheesiness, before finishing off with a rather sharp, spiced bite. Spice can run such a gamut, and affects eaters in different ways. I'm all for spice, and I'd say this was pleasantly potent. While the spice ramped up with each spoonful, I didn't seem to mind it, as I kept being eager for more of them. It may be too much for some, but if you can stand the heat, get into this kitchen.

Now that I had enjoyed my pasta lunch, I guess I was ready for dessert pasta? On paper, including the cardboard box that the Kraft Mac & Cheese Cinnamon Roll resides in, everything seems so wrong about this. Why is the color brown anywhere near mac & cheese, or the cartoony imagery of a cinnamon roll and cinnamon stick? What did we do to deserve this?

Things admittedly got weirder when I busted open its seasoning packet. Leaning in for a whiff, notes of cinnamon immediately filled the air. Not sure how Kraft was able to do this, but the essence of dough also seeped out. The seasoning itself was nothing to write home, or to you, about. It was a boring, white, sandy powder, which was dully coloring the pasta that itself isn't exactly the most sunny looking. While cooking, the smell became quite buttery, but then again, the recipe did call for 4 heaping tablespoons of butter.

My mind raced at what this could possibly taste like, whether it was edible, and whether I would be able to survive to see the end of this review. Turns out, the only thing I had to fear was fear itself. Yes, it delivered the promised taste written on the box, and while the mind still tries to figure out why this exists, the mouth tells the rest of the body that everything's going to be okay. Not only okay, but this is actually pretty good, especially as a sweet antidote after the spicy Chili Crisp entrée.

The Chili Crisp flavor is a bona fide winner. It is worth trying now, and honestly, worthy of an extension on shelves, once its limited time runs out. It has all the familiar hallmarks of a good bowl of Kraft Mac & Cheese, with just the perfect additional kick to elevate the whole experience.

As for the Cinnamon Roll one, I promise you, it's not only not awful, but it's totally edible. It's more of a challenge for the mind to grapple with than for the mouth to handle. Is it something I could eat a whole bowl of? Probably not. Is it something I'd buy again? Maybe as a gift for someone else to try, and maybe you can give yourself one to experience it for yourself, since it's such a low investment. What's the worst that could happen, you like it? Even after my bowl ran cold, I still found myself curiously taking more spoonfuls. In a more room temperature state, the cinnamon roll flavor swelled, and that turned out to be a good thing.

With two positive, but separate experiences with these two Mac & Cheese flavors, there was only one last thing to do — put them together in one bowl, mix them up and see how that combo worked. The answer came quickly — an odd couple that oddly works. While the term "swicy" never really seem to take hold with the public, this union of sweet and spicy is a mac attack worth battling.

Starting November 2, Kraft Mac & Cheese Chili Crisp and Cinnamon Roll varieties are available for sale, for a limited time only, and while supplies last. Both are available only in 7.25-ounce boxes .

The Kraft Mac & Cheese Chili Crisp flavor can be found in-store and on-line at Meijer, Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers. Prices will vary by retailer, but we've seen prices ranges from $1.48 at Walmart to $2.39 at The Fresh Grocer. Based on its best use by date, it should be good to go, unopened for at least five and a half months.

The Kraft Mac & Cheese Cinnamon Roll flavor is sold exclusively at Walmart. Currently, as of the publication of this article, it's only available for shipment when purchased online. It retails for $1.48. Based on its best by date, it has a longer lease on life, able to stay fresh for up to 8 months.

Kraft Mac & Cheese Cinnamon Roll is made up of enriched wheat macaroni, and is further flavored by such ingredients as a seasoned cheese sauce, cream, and a cheese that brings together the powers of sugar, cream solids, spices, brown sugar, and salt. Each box contains three servings. Each 2.4-ounce (67 grams) dry serving makes approximately 1 cup when prepared, and contains 250 calories, 2.5 grams of total fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 450 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 8 grams of total sugars, including 2 grams of added sugars, and 8 grams of protein. That same serving also chips in 90 milligrams of calcium, 1.9 milligrams of iron, and 270 milligrams of potassium.

Kraft Mac & Cheese Chili Crisp Flavor has the same set-up with macaroni and a cheese sauce mix, and here is further flavored by garlic, onion powder, spices, including chili pepper, paprika, salt, and natural flavors. This box also contains three servings, but the serving size is 2.3-ounces (66 grams) of dry mix that makes about a single cup when prepared. That nets an eater 240 calories, 2 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 500 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 7 grams of total sugars, and 8 grams of protein. Each serving also provides 110 milligrams of calcium, 1.9 milligrams of iron, and 440 milligrams of potassium.

Both contain the common allergens of wheat and milk. Neither artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes.