The best spicy chips are nice and crispy, a little greasy, and spicy (duh!). 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. Recipes featuring hot chips have gone viral on social media and all types of hot chip-inspired products can now be found on the market, like Cheetos “Flamin’ Hot” Mac ‘n Cheese.
During our research, we discovered that there are approximately a billion types of hot chips. In two separate in-office taste tests, we tried as many spicy chips as we could get our hands on so we could tell you which ones taste delicious and which ones taste like eating a big handful of chemicals. We owe a special thanks to chocolate milk for helping us get through this extra-spicy taste test. These are the best hot chips out there.
- Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Habanero Lime
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.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Takis Fuego
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.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Ruffles Flamin’ Hot BBQ
This is the only Flamin’ Hot chip I’ve ever liked and it’s also one of the best spicy chips we tried. These are actually 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. I promise!
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Herr’s Jalapeño Popper Flavored Cheese Curls
I love jalapeño poppers, but, honestly, I did not have high hopes for Herr’s Jalapeno Popper Cheese Curls. How could a bagged cheese curl ever live up to a deep-fried, cheese-filled, piping-hot, real-life jalapeño popper? The answer is, it can’t. Chips are never quite as good as the foods they’re based on. But these get pretty dang close. The jalapeño flavor is present, they’re thoroughly cheesy, and there’s a nice crunch that’s reminiscent of the crispy coating on a real-deal jalapeño popper. This curl is one of the best hot chips out there.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Doritos Tapatio
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.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Herr’s Hot Sauce Chips
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 a generic spicy potato chip. 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 are worth it!
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Herr’s Carolina Reaper Cheese Curls
If you like your hot chips cheesy, you simply must get your hands on these Herr’s Carolina Reaper Cheese Curls. I completely underestimated them and was not prepared for the absolutely massive punch of heat they provide. Unlike a certain popular spicy cheese puff whose name I won’t mention, these have a completely authentic pepper heat. There is no chemically, factory-manufactured taste (which is my biggest frustration with hot chips in general). Plus, these are nice if you like a softer snack that isn’t as intensely crunchy as kettle chips or Takis. These are definitely some of the best hot chips we tried.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Boulder Canyon Yellowbird Habanero Kettle Style Potato Chips
These might be the most delicious potato chips I’ve ever had, so they easily became our new number one spicy potato chips. The fact that they’re limited edition makes me want to storm the Boulder Canyon potato chip factory and demand that they sell them forever. These are so complex. They’re garlicky and salty and savory. Plus, they have a big kick at the end! These taste like the delicious Yellowbird hot sauce we love made into a crispy, crunchy, perfectly greasy potato chip. I’m serious, Boulder Canyon and Yellowbird: Please don’t stop making these!
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Best Mild
Best Taki
Best Flamin’ Hot
Most Unexpected
Best Corn-Based Chip
Best Tangy
Best Cheesy
Best of the Best
Other products 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
Share your favorite spicy chips with us using #SporkedTasteTest for a chance to be featured on our social pages!
Give Utz Red Hot chips the recognition they deserve!
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😂
Trader Joe’s version of Taki’s is 11/10
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.
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
How bout those blue Takis?
There is more lime on the blue taki and it is genuinely addicting.
My vote for Best Lime would’ve been Cheetos Flamin Hot Limon Crunchy
yup. agreed
If there had been a Best Spicy Sweet I would’ve chosen Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili 💯🌶️
I second this.
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
I can personally say that the Paqui ghost pepper chips are CRAZY HOT. I went numb in my arms and legs downing a bag.
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
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
My new favorite spicy chips are the Flaming Hot Cool Ranch Doritos.
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!!
Also IDK if Ya’ll had Doritos Flamas but, I think they need to be put into consideration
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.
so why don’t we talk about Hot Cheetos?
Route 11 Mama Zuma’s are the best. You are missing out
Chesters flaming hot fries are the best for me. So addicting and not so hard like the others mentioned.
A personal fave of mine.
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
Pringles scorching chili and lime. King of nuanced flavor. The chili, the lime, the potato without the greasy fry.
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.