The best Pringles flavors should have a robust, as-advertised taste. Too often, chips just don’t encapsulate the flavor emblazoned on the bag nothing like the chip (for instance, is there a universe in which these Korean BBQ Kettle chips taste remotely like Korean BBQ??). With that in mind, Cheddar Cheese Pringles should taste tangy and rich, Sour Cream & Onion should taste creamy and zippy, and Pizza should taste tart like tomato sauce and herbaceous like oregano. When it comes to snack flavors, we expect accuracy. What made the cut of the best Pringles flavors? Here’s what we kept munching on.
While I’m not a huge fan of Pringles, I do love their packaging. The iconic tube and the slogan “Once you pop you can’t stop” make for phenomenal marketing. It’s not only catchy but there’s a phonetic, almost musical element to Pringles branding that people have fallen in love with. Watch this commercial from 1996 to understand what I’m talking about. Now, when it comes to Pringles as a snack, I should say that I’m not a fan of potato flakes and corn starch. Potato chips are best when they taste like actual potatoes, in my opinion. However, some Pringles successfully mask the processed-potato-mixture taste with wonderful, robust flavor. These do it best.
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- Cheddar & Sour Cream
These Cheddar & Sour Cream Pringles are just so damn saturated with flavor. They have this super rich, full-fat taste that reminds me of heavy whipping cream. When I eat these, my brain recognizes that they’re horrible for me, but I just don’t care. As Pringles flavors go, Cheddar & Sour Cream is tangy, wonderfully cheesy, and does the best job of jiving with that dehydrated-potato flavor Pringles are known for.
Credit: Liv Averett/Instacart
- Pizza
This can of Pizza Pringles made its way around the Sporked office like a blunt in rotation, so I was really tempted to rank them number one. Pringles are best when they taste like pure junk food, and these Pizza Pringles are absolutely loaded with tomato and oregano flavor that reminds me of low-rent frozen pizza (and I mean that in the most flattering way possible). More things should taste like crappy frozen pizza. This is the best Pringle flavor for those who love dipping pizza in ranch and aren’t above eating the occasional Hot Pocket.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- Original
I thought I was going to hate original Pringles, but there’s something about their aggressively plain and processed flavor that just beat me into submission. Original Pringles are delightfully salty, and the amalgamation of pure potato flakes, cornstarch, and water actually tastes pretty good when it’s salted properly. Editor in chief Justine Sterling also went to bat for these hard. It’s kind of inexplicable that these are so good, but the lesson here is this: All you need for something to taste good is the proper amount of salt.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- Wavy Fire Roasted Jalapeño
A lot of the wavy Pringles fell flat for me, but Fire Roasted Jalapeño Pringles are a triumph. They have t a mellow heat and a wonderful, subtle flavor that reminds me of salsa made from roasted vegetables. The complexity here is wonderful—the flavor is salty, sweet, spicy, and smoky. Wavy Pringles are a tad bigger than regular Pringles, and I think that extra thickness is nice. This is the best Pringles flavor for dipping (think salsa or ranch dip), or you can happily enjoy them all on their own.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- Salt & Vinegar
As far as salt and vinegar things go, I was surprised that Pringles have as much acidic tang as they do. Now, I much, much prefer salt and vinegar potato chips to the processed potato flake version, but these are still pretty darn good. My personal favorite Pringles have a bold taste that masks the lack of pure potato flavor. These are mouth smackingly tangy and the blank-slate nature of the chips themselves gives these a kick you probably aren’t used to with other salt and vinegar snacks.
Credit: Liv Averett/Amazon
- Ranch
I’m a tough critic when it comes to ranch and ranch-flavored snacks, so these tasty Ranch Pringles were the biggest surprise of the tasting. They are tangy, creamy, and herby in a way that reminds me of good quality ranch dressing. Plus, there’s something about the plain vessel of a Pringle that just holds ranch seasoning very well. I’d put these up against Cool Ranch Doritos in terms of quality ranch flavor.
Credit: Liv Averett/Ralph’s
Best of the Best
Best Bold Flavor
Best Plain
Best Newcomer
Best Bite
Best Surprise
Rhett & Link’s Pick
Cheddar & Sour Cream
Our tastes aligned with the guys on this one. During a 2020 Gut Check episode of Good Mythical Morning, Cheddar & Sour Cream Pringles were crowned “Kingle,” with Buffalo Ranch and Jalapeño taking the second and third place spots.
Other products we tried: Sour Cream & Onion, Cheddar Cheese, Scorchin’ BBQ, Scorchin’ Cheddar, Scorchin’ Sour Cream & Onion, Chile Lime, Scorchin’ Wavy Loaded Nachos, BBQ, Parmesan Roasted Garlic, Reduced Fat.
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Love the pizza ones, but my fave was the bbq cheddar they used to sell. Also the scorchin wavy loaded nachos are great.
Absolutely the Honey Mustard is the best in my opinion