This Divisive Lay’s Flavor Is Coming Back

There are potato chip flavors that almost everyone can agree on. Classic salted is a safe bet. Barbecue has plenty of fans. Sour cream and onion rarely causes an argument. Then there’s Lay’s Wavy Magic Masala.

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The spicy, savory flavor has a very different kind of following. Some snack fans absolutely love it, while others not so much. Now, both sets of fans are getting another chance to argue about it because Lay’s Wavy Magic Masala Flavoured Chips are coming back.

Magic Masala Has A Big Fan Club

Magic Masala isn’t some random new seasoning that Lay’s invented for the American market. The flavor has a long history with Lay’s in India, where it became one of the brand’s signature varieties.

The seasoning is also very different from the usual potato chip flavors found in American grocery stores.

The ingredient list for Lay’s Magic Masala includes potatoes, onion, paprika, tomato powder, spices, garlic powder, sugar, and yeast extract. So, you can see Magic Masala isn’t going for one simple flavor. It’s got heat, tang, sweetness, and plenty of spice packed into the seasoning.

For fans of bold chips, that’s the whole point. For anyone expecting a simple salty potato chip, it can be a lot.

Fans Have Some Very Strong Opinions

Magic Masala has become one of those flavors that can start an argument surprisingly quickly.

Reddit is full of people who swear by it. In a Reddit discussion, a fan ranked Indian Magic Masala among their favorite Lay’s flavors and gave it a 10/10. 

There are plenty of other fans who feel the same way. But the love isn’t universal. Another Reddit user said the chips left an aftertaste of scrambled eggs and onions. And in that same discussion, someone said they don’t hate the Magic Masala, but don’t also love it to the point of buying another. 

There are also plenty of people who are very happy to see the flavor return. A Reddit thread about Magic Masala Wavy Lay’s at 7-Eleven included comments from longtime fans who were excited about the return. 

Is Lay’s Magic Masala Worth Trying?

For people who loved the previous U.S. release, the comeback is probably the kind of snack news that deserves an immediate grocery run.

For everyone else, Magic Masala is a little harder to predict. The flavor has enough heat and spice to make it stand out from the usual Lay’s lineup, and the Wavy chip gives it a hearty crunch. But the online reactions show that this is not necessarily a universally loved flavor.

For those who love it, or are curious enough to give it a try for the first time, a 7.5oz pack of the Wavy Magic Masala goes for just $1.50 at Walmart.