Jordan Myrick
Gwynedd Stuart
As a snack category, spicy chips have more of a cult following than John Waters films, the music of the Grateful Dead, and Scientology combined. People are obsessed with spicy, crunchy snacks, and almost every single chip company has its own hot chips to keep up with the craze.
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We’ve revisited our ranking of the best hot chips a few times, and each time, we find new and exciting products to set our tongues ablaze. But simply being spicy isn’t enough to make this list. No, no. We have other criteria:
- Good flavor. Some spicy chips just taste like capsaicin and it’s not great. Also, maybe some hot honey chips will come along in the future and wow us, but in the meantime, we have decided that hot honey-flavored potato chips do not taste good. Sorry, Mike’s!
- Good chips. The chip itself needs to be nice. We don’t cotton to chips that aren’t crispy-crunchy or chips that taste like old oil. A good base is half the battle!
- Heat. It should go without saying that spicy chips should be spicy, but we tasted way too many “spicy” chips that hardly made our lips and tongues burn—and I’m pretty sensitive to heat!
Here’s how the ranking shook out after our most recent tear-inducing taste test.
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- Takis Fuego
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Could you trust a list of hot chips that didn’t rank Takis Fuego? To be honest, I don’t think I could. Takis are the hot chip. The undeniable citrus twang, the perfect level of heat, and the ideal amount of crunch—what’s not to love? They’re perfect on their own or dipped into queso or stuffed into a cream cheese-filled jalapeño pepper (thank you, TikTok). Almost every chip company has attempted a knock-off version of Takis and nothing can compare to the original. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Ruffles Simply Hot & Spicy
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We tried these during our taste test of every Ruffles flavor and weren’t wowed, but in the context of this taste test, we came around to them! The chips in Lay’s Simply line are made without artificial colors or flavors. Which, sure, great. Frankly, the Hot & Spicy flavor isn’t terrifically flavorful, but we kind of like how neutral they are—there’s heat and just a touch of something adjacent to BBQ seasoning. We decided these are the best spicy chips to eat with a nice, creamy french onion dip, just to spice things up a little. —Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Ruffles Flamin’ Hot Sour Cream & Cheddar
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The sour cream and cheddar part of these chips is more prominent than the Flamin’ Hot part of these chips, and we think that’s a good thing. They’re spicy, but the creamy, cheesy flavor really mellows out the sharp citric acid tang of the Flamin’ Hot seasoning. These aren’t as good as Ruffles Flamin’ Hot BBQ, but they’re close—and definitely better than most straight-up Flamin’ Hot chips. —Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Herr’s Hot Sauce Chips
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Herr’s Hot Sauce Chips are among the best spicy chips we tried because they taste like actual vinegar-based, Louisiana-style hot sauce. They’re not just generic spicy potato chips. They are incredible. The heat is so zingy. I could eat an entire bag of these. If you’re not in an area where you can buy these regional chips at a grocery store or gas station, dish out the dough to get them online. They’re worth it! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Ruffles Flamin’ Hot BBQ
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These are the only Flamin’ Hot chips I’ve ever really liked. They’re genuinely hot and have a great BBQ flavor. There’s no weird chemically taste like you get with many spicy potato chips. We dipped these in ranch and it was a perfect snack, 10/10. The next time you’re having a party, grab a bag of these and a jar of our favorite ranch dressing, and your guests will love you for it. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Doritos Tapatio
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I expected Tapatio Doritos to be a slightly spicier version of the classic nacho cheese Doritos. I thought, at best, these would have a generic hot sauce flavor. Boy, was I wrong! These Doritos aren’t just flavorful, they taste exactly like Tapatio. Not Cholula, not Tabasco— Tapatio. Much like their namesake hot sauce, they have a gentle heat, strong spice, and zippy twang. Not only were these some of the best spicy chips we tried, these were one of my personal favorite hot chips we tried and I plan to add these to my weekly grocery list. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Pringles Habaneras
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In the past, we’ve really loved how spicy, peppery seasoning tastes on a nice, greasy potato chip—but I gotta say, these Pringles Habaneras (aka Las Meras Meras Habaneras) make a pretty strong case for spicy “potato crisps.” They have a really bright and fruity pepper flavor with a little bit of tang, too, and the seasoning really shines on the dry, neutral tasting crisps. These spicy chips might be a little dull for some people, but we really like how peppery they taste. —Gwynedd Stuart
- Zapp’s Hotter ‘N Hot Jalapeno
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These may not be the hottest Zapp’s chips (Spicy Cajun Craw Taters take that title), but they sure are tasty. These really taste like jalapenos and cheddar. There’s a nice, salty, rich backbone to the seasoning, so it’s more than just jalapeno fruitiness and heat. The chips themselves are super high quality and tasty, too. And even though they’re not take-me-to-a-hospital spicy, they still have a nice level of heat. These might be my favorite jalapeno chips. Sorry, Miss Vickie! —Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Buldak Habanero Lime Spicy Chicken
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We’ve been dying to try these Buldak potato chips, and they did not disappoint! They taste like delicious, savory ramen noodles seasoning on potato chips. They rule. They’re not as spicy as we wish they were and the chips could be a little greasier and snappier, but all in all we didn’t mind because with less heat and less grease, we could eat a lot of them. You’re gonna want to, too—that MSG really sings! —Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Habanero Lime
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If you know anything about potato chips, you know that Kettle Brand chips are unparalleled when it comes to crunch. And an additional advantage these chips have is that they are crinkle cut so flavor dust gets trapped in each and every ridge. Those factors already rank it high in my book. This specific flavor brought not only a warm heat and citrusy zip, but also had the light fruity sweetness of a fresh habanero pepper. They’re the best spicy chips in terms of overall quality, overall flavor, and heat. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Best Takis
Best Lightly Flavored
Best Cheesy
Best Tangy
Best Flamin’ Hot
Best Spicy Corn Chip
Best Spicy Pringles
Best Spicy Zapp’s
Best Savory Flavor
Best of the Best
Other spicy chips we tried
Takis Fuego Kettlez, Sabritas Turbos Flamas, Chester’s Hot Fries, Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot, Doritos Flamas, Funyuns Flamin’ Hot, Ruffles Flamin’ Hot, Garden Veggie Straws Screamin’ Hot, Pop Chips Crazy Hot, Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, Spudlove Jalapeño, The Good Crisp Company Spicy Jalapeño
Justine Sterling
Route 11 Mama Zuma’s Revenge are the best spicy chips.
Wish that kid didn’t die from the one-chip challenge, and wish attorneys didn’t have the ability to ruin a company like that . . . the Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper chips were THEE purest form of a simple corn chip with minimal added ingredients and MAXIMUM heat (aside from the one chip challenge which ironically was the cause of their downfall . . . allegedly . . .). LONG LIVE PAQUI!!!!!
i gooned to this\
Not spicy but they do have a spicy variant, the Zapps Voodoo chips are amazing in every way!
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spicy chips hotter than hot
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The hottest chip in the world is the 2022 one chip.
Takis is the king/queen o chips. Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper is not as hot as it seems.
You must be an employee of whoever owns Takis. I can down the hottest Takis like french fries. The Paqui HGP, though no longer available, would set your mouth on fire after only a few chips.
Pringles scorching chili and lime. King of nuanced flavor. The chili, the lime, the potato without the greasy fry.
Ooh… we have all kinds of spicy chips here in South Korea I bet you didn’t taste test. Some of them would really knock your socks offbwith their yum
Chesters flaming hot fries are the best for me. So addicting and not so hard like the others mentioned.
A personal fave of mine.
Route 11 Mama Zuma’s are the best. You are missing out
so why don’t we talk about Hot Cheetos?
I respectfully disagree with the Takis, only because of the off putting lime flavour. It contradicts the heat and just tastes gross, in my opinion. Flaming hot Doritos has a better flavour.
I respectfully disagree with the Takis, only because of the off putting lime flavour. It contradicts the heat and just tastes gross, in my opinion. Flaming hot Doritos has a better flavour.
Also IDK if Ya’ll had Doritos Flamas but, I think they need to be put into consideration
I remember confidently that Tim’s Mango Habanero chip was one that the guys highly recommended if not chose as the winner and since it’s also my all time favorite chip it was a bummer to see it excluded from this list! Give Tim’s chips the love they deserve!!
My new favorite spicy chips are the Flaming Hot Cool Ranch Doritos.
Y’all are trippin, DORITOS® DINAMITA® Chile Limón Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips are NUMBER 1 BABY.
Trader Joes Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips should also be in the conversation.
And the fact that you don’t even have CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT® Limón Cheese Flavored Snacks is a travesty.
I’m honestly hurt. Do better.
Amen Brother! Besides the Trader Joes because we have Takis
Tapatio’s Doritos are my all-time favorite Dorito flavor… seriously! But I just don’t think they taste like Tapatio sauce. I love both the Dorito and the Sauce as two unique flavors.
same here, partner
I can personally say that the Paqui ghost pepper chips are CRAZY HOT. I went numb in my arms and legs downing a bag.
So many other chips that you should also try, however my all time favorites are Barcels Habanero Kettle Chips, who happen to also make Takis, their Fuego Kettle Chips are really good as well
If there had been a Best Spicy Sweet I would’ve chosen Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili 💯🌶️
I second this.
My vote for Best Lime would’ve been Cheetos Flamin Hot Limon Crunchy
yup. agreed
How bout those blue Takis?
There is more lime on the blue taki and it is genuinely addicting.
I respectfully disagree. The best spicy chip is Lay’s kettle-cooked Flamin Hot! It is so good and so addicting I would get two bags at a time and eat them in my sleep! Unfortunately I think they’re limited times because I can’t find them right now but I really hope they bring them back!😋💕
Big Lays fan here. Jordan is not. WHAT ELSE IS JORDAN WRONG ABOUT
Flaming hot cheetos and the jalepeno ones mixed together with xxxhot sauce sprinkled on…addictive
Could you try Blairs’ Death Rain Chips? I used to love those as a kid but I can’t find them anywhere anymore. Would love to know how they match up to these.
Trader Joe’s version of Taki’s is 11/10
I agree with the Takis. They’re pretty good. Also congrats on the websiteee I think it’ll come in handy to a lot of people especially ones who love cooking and going grocery shopping for the best! And last but not least have a great spring break😂
Give Utz Red Hot chips the recognition they deserve!