Fritos Flavors Ranked Worst to Best: All 8 Tasted, and the Winner Isn't the Original
Almost a century after the first bag hit Texas shelves, the best Fritos flavor is not the classic corn chip. A side-by-side taste test of eight Fritos varieties crowned the comeback king Bar-B-Q as number one, pushed Flamin' Hot into second place, and sent the brand-new Lime & Jalapeño Flavor Twists straight to the bottom. Here is the full Fritos ranking, from worst to best, and what makes each bag win or lose.
- Fritos Bar-B-Q is the #1 Fritos flavor — sweet, tangy and saucy, with the full corn crunch.
- Flamin' Hot (#2) beat the Original (#3) — only two flavors were judged better than the classic.
- Lime & Jalapeño Flavor Twists finished last, despite huge hype when they launched in May 2025.
- Chili Cheese landed a surprising #7, tasting milder than the tester remembered.
- Every chip was judged on flavor, saltiness and crunch, using Original Fritos as the benchmark.
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How the Fritos Flavors Were Ranked
The ranking comes from a food writer at Tasting Table who ate a small handful of each bag, side by side. The rule was simple: a flavored Fritos only earns a high spot if it keeps everything great about the original — the salt, the light greasiness, the deep corn taste and that loud crunch — and then adds something better on top.
The spiciest bag was saved for the end so the heat would not ruin the tester's taste buds, and the palate was cleansed between flavors. In the end, only two flavors cleared the bar set by Original Fritos.
All 8 Fritos Flavors, Ranked Worst to Best
Flavor Twists Lime & Jalapeño
Fans got excited when this flavor leaked on Reddit before its May 2025 launch, but the taste test was rough. A sharp, tangy smell hits as soon as the bag opens, then a wave of sour lime takes over. The jalapeño itself is hard to taste — yet a burn slowly builds in the throat. After only a few chips the tester felt heartburn, making this the clear last place.
Chili Cheese
Chili Cheese Fritos tasted much milder than the tester remembered from years ago. The chili powder is sharp, the cheese reads clearly as cheddar, and the chips are saltier than the original. The crunch is still there, but the powdery coating did not win any points. The tester would rather eat plain Fritos with a real bowl of chili.
Lightly Salted
Frito-Lay launched this version in 2010 after salt became shoppers' top complaint. It carries 50% less sodium per serving than the original. Surprisingly, the tester could not really taste less salt — but the chips seemed a little thinner, the corn flavor was weaker, and the signature crunch was softer. Small differences, but noticeable.
Scoops!
Fritos Scoops! arrived in 1994 as the official snack of Reba McEntire's U.S. concert tour. They taste a bit less salty and a bit greasier than the original, with slightly less corn punch. Where they shine is structure: the airy, sturdy cup shape is built for guacamole, salsa, French onion dip — or scooping up thick chili instead of using a spoon.
Flavor Twists Honey BBQ
Introduced in 1992, the twisted shape is meant to hold more seasoning — a mix of Tennessee-style honey barbecue and Carolina-style vinegar. The result is sweeter and smokier than regular Bar-B-Q, with a touch of pepper and a salty-sweet finish. The flavor is great, but the many sharp edges feel rough on the palate and the crunch is not classic Fritos.
🥉 The Original
Almost 100 years on, the original fried cornmeal chip still tastes exactly as fans remember: honest corn flavor, a strong but airy crunch, and a clean finish despite a little grease. Its neutral taste goes with anything, from a plain handful to a full Frito pie. The tester said it would always have been number one — if two flavors had not done the original one better.
“Salty, crunchy, and a little greasy, Fritos are so easy to eat by the handful.
— Meredith Burkhart, Tasting Table, on Original Fritos
🥈 Flamin' Hot
Flamin' Hot Fritos launched in 2020, sharing the famous spice blend used on Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Funyuns and Doritos. Behind the burnt-orange dust there is real cheese, salt and corn flavor in the first few chips. After a handful, the heat takes over — but the tester, who usually dislikes "hot for hot's sake" snacks, said it is worth it. Take a short break, then go back for more.
🥇 Bar-B-Q
Fritos Bar-B-Q first appeared in 1958 and became a snacking icon — until Frito-Lay discontinued it in 2018. Fans fought back with a Change.org petition, the flavor returned for short runs in 2020 and 2021, and in 2022 it came back for good.
The coating is thick, sweet and tangy like real barbecue sauce, with salt and pepper in every bite and a light kick at the back of the throat. It keeps everything great about the original and is easier to keep eating than Flamin' Hot. That is why it wins the crown.
Fritos Flavor Ranking at a Glance
| Rank | Flavor | Debut | Best thing about it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Bar-B-Q | 1958 | Sweet, tangy, saucy coating |
| 🥈 2 | Flamin' Hot | 2020 | Heat that keeps the flavor |
| 🥉 3 | Original | 1932 | Pure corn taste and crunch |
| 4 | Honey BBQ Flavor Twists | 1992 | Sweet and smoky |
| 5 | Scoops! | 1994 | Made for dips and chili |
| 6 | Lightly Salted | 2010 | 50% less sodium |
| 7 | Chili Cheese | — | Cheddar and chili powder |
| 8 | Lime & Jalapeño Flavor Twists | 2025 | Bold idea, sour result |
A Short History of Fritos: From a $100 Recipe to 8 Flavors
Fritos started with a fried strip of masa dough pushed through a potato ricer. Restaurant owner Gustavo Olguín created it, and Charles Elmer Doolin bought the recipe — and the ricer — to build a snack empire.
Fritos Flavors: Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the best Fritos flavor?
Fritos Bar-B-Q ranked number one. It has a rich, sweet and tangy barbecue coating while keeping the classic corn crunch. Flamin' Hot was second and the Original was third.
❓ What is the worst Fritos flavor?
Flavor Twists Lime & Jalapeño came last. The lime was too sour, the jalapeño flavor was hard to find, and the heat caused discomfort after a few chips.
❓ Were Fritos Bar-B-Q discontinued?
Yes. Bar-B-Q launched in 1958 and was discontinued in 2018. After a fan petition it returned for short runs in 2020 and 2021, then came back permanently in 2022.
❓ How much less sodium do Lightly Salted Fritos have?
Fritos Lightly Salted, introduced in 2010, have 50% less sodium per serving than Original Fritos.
❓ When were Fritos invented?
Fritos date back to 1932 in San Antonio, Texas, when Charles Elmer Doolin bought the recipe from Gustavo Olguín and founded the Frito Company.
If you only buy one bag, make it Fritos Bar-B-Q. Want heat? Grab Flamin' Hot. Making Frito pie or dipping? The Original and Scoops! are still hard to beat. And the new Lime & Jalapeño Twists? Try them only if you are curious — and keep water nearby.
This article is based on a taste-test report by Tasting Table (تيستينج تيبل), written by Meredith Burkhart.
Read the original report ↗
