Ariana Losch
Jordan Myrick
The best Takis flavors deliver an intense punch of spicy, savory, intense flavor straight to your mouth. They are worth the regret you may feel a bag or two later, when all the Takis dust starts to settle, and your stomach starts to feel…a little hot. How do we know? We recently tried all the Takis products in one sitting.
Going into our most recent taste test, we had so many burning questions. Literally. Were our stomachs going to survive this taste test? Could the new Takis products measure up to the beloved classics? (Spoiler: Not really. The best Takis flavors are the OG Takis flavors, as it turns out.) From fine to Fuego, here’s how they all ranked. Let’s Taki-bout it.
How many Takis are there?
For context, outside of the classic rolled corn tortilla chips we all know and love, the Takis line of snacks now includes Takis Waves (wavy potato chips), Takis Kettlez (you guessed it, kettle cooked potato chips), Takis Crisps (basically a line of Pringles dupes), Takis Hot Nuts (spicy peanuts in a crunchy coating), and Takis Stix (thin corn sticks).
How did we source all the Takis flavors?
We tracked down all the Takis we could find by hitting up a bunch of major grocery stores, convenience stores that sell harder-to-find, more niche flavors (looking at you, Five Below), and Mexican specialty grocers. Even then, we still couldn’t track them all down. (Where art thou, Takis Kaboom?) But we did our best—and we update this ranking every year, so eventually, we’ll get there.
What we looked for in the best Takis flavors:
- Flavor intensity: Not everyone is partial to the pure, powerful citric acid tang that essentially levels the happy little city of tastebuds on your tongue with every bite. In which case, Takis might just not be the snack for you, and that’s okay. But for the most part, I want flavor that decimates.
- Heat: Takis promise a heat that cripples. We like when brands deliver on what they promise.
- Snack ingenuity: Between corn nuts, corn sticks, and various kinds of potato chips, we want Takis to succeed with their new snack lines—but anything that just tastes like a rushed, cheap version of a classic snack food will be called out as such.
Anyways, with all of that out of the way… let’s talk Takis.
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- Takis Crisps Fuego
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Move over, Pringles! Just kidding. Get back here, stat. Takis may be the king of rolled tortilla chips, but their Pringles dupe simply can’t compare to the real thing. Pros: They actually do have that signature robust, fried-dough taste of Pringles. Cons: The chips are weirdly small and the Takis Fuego heat tastes a lot better on a corn chip than it does on a Pringles dupe. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was eating a Pringles chip made in some rogue mad scientist’s lab. These are a no from me, fam. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / AmazonCredit: Liv Averett / Takis
- Takis Duos
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This bag of Takis Duo combines classic Fuego Takis with a form of snack that’s entirely new to the brand—kettle popcorn. I’m actually calling it “kettle popcorn” for lack of a better term, since it’s essentially popcorn coated in the sweetest, most artificial-tasting candied watermelon syrup I’ve ever had. To be frank, our entire team hated them. But then Mythical’s resident chef Josh Scherer came in with a heartfelt story about how they taste exactly like this spicy Mexican watermelon candy he used to get as a kid, and we all felt like real a**holes. If you can relate, give ‘em a try. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Takis
- Takis Kettlez Fuego
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Do you like the taste of citric acid layered over citric acid and coated in more citric acid? Well count yourself lucky, because we’ve got the best Takis for you! Takis Fuego Kettlez should come with a warning label. (I guess they are bright red, which should tell you something, but still.) Pros: The kettle chip itself is thick and crunchy and not too oily; top-notch, really. Cons: These will burn a hole in your stomach. Unlike the original Takis Fuego (which, as you’ll see, we adore), the Fuego kettle chips are too intense. Daredevils and heat freaks will love these. Everyone else: Beware. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Stix Fuego
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I can understand (disagree with, but understand) the brand’s decision to move into the potato chip game. But for a snack that’s built its entire identity on corn, these airy, lightly crunchy corn sticks are pretty underwhelming. Forgettable, really. I would take regular old Takis over Takis Stix any day. In general, Fuego is still the best Takis flavor in this format—it’s not caustically hot, like others on this list. I could see a bowl of these getting some attention at a party, but in my opinion, Takis can do way better than these Stix. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Hot Nuts Smokin’ Lime Double-Crunch Peanuts
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Of all the different kinds of snacks Takis has put out, as a concept, Takis Hot Nuts makes the most sense to me. To break it down, these are basically peanuts covered in a crunchy, spicy, corn-flavored coating. They are way more unique and interesting than Takis-flavored potato chips. That being said, Takis Hot Nuts flavors miss the mark a bit. Their smoky lime flavor should, in theory, go great with peanuts, but that maize-y corn taste just creates a confusing snack experience. I appreciate the attempt, but this certainly isn’t the best Takis product out there. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Takis Waves Blue Heat
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Personally, I think blue-flavored chips are underrated—an opinion that my lovely and talented co-writer on this article, Jordan Myrick, does not share. I don’t know what that says about me, but these Blue Heat Takis Waves are yummy enough in my book. They have a bit more lime than Fuego, adding an extra zing. Do they border on being slightly too spicy to be safe for consumption? Sure, but after Fuego Kettlez, I can survive anything. (Obviously, if my autopsy shows a completely blue stomach lining, disregard that statement.) —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Takis Buckin’ Ranch
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We wanted to love these non-spicy Takis, we really did, but they didn’t deliver on flavor. They don’t taste bad, but they need more of that salty, garlicky, oniony ranch dust, plain and simple. The corn chip totally overpowers the ranch, and we’re simply not about that life. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Kroger
- Zombie Takis
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Everyone on the Sporked crew vehemently dislikes Zombie Takis except me—and even I only enjoy them with the kind of sick fascination I enjoy, like, dipping french fries into garlic mashed potatoes (feels cannibalistic), or putting ice in my cereal (sorry). It’s not right, but I like it anyway. These cucumber-flavored Takis basically taste like someone dumped a metric ton of citric acid into spa water, and I could still happily eat a whole bag if my gastrointestinal system wouldn’t burst into flames. Imagine Lime Cucumber Gatorade (one of our favorite Gatorade flavors), but really spicy. That’s what you’re getting here. It’s gross. And awesome. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Nacho Xplosion
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There is nothing particularly explosive about Nacho Xplosion, and that’s where this flavor loses points. I was personally hoping for a more flavor-blasted cheesiness to rival Intense Nacho Cheese (which isn’t all that intense to begin with), but it’s just a little spicier, with a cheese flavor that tastes a little old to me. Would I still eat a small bag? You bet. But it’s not anywhere close to the best Takis flavor out there. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Blue Heat
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Blue Heat tastes a little too much like Fuego to stand out from the pack. Yes, it has a very slight blue-razz sourness that, as a blue-flavored apologist, I do enjoy. But they should leave more of an impression than simply staining your mouth and hands blue. Blue Heat lacks a real identity, and for that, we must deduct points. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Waves Dragon Sweet Chili
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Oh, sweet relief. I might make it out of this taste test alive after all! Don’t get me wrong—these Dragon Sweet Chili Takis Waves still have some heat. But there’s real depth to this Takis flavor. They taste a little like sweet and sour sauce, with notes of honey and chili peppers. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Hot Nuts Fuego
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The Fuego version of Takis Hot Nuts might be one of their best snack deviations yet. These giant spicy corn nuts have a crunch that’s still addictive halfway into the bag. I think they’re a little weird, because the citric acid, corn chip coating, spice, and peanut flavor don’t make the most harmonious blend, but compared to the freaky science experiment that is Zombie Takis, this is nothing. They’re different, and I like them. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Dragon Sweet Chili
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If you like Sweet Chili Doritos (one of the best Doritos flavors), you’ll like this Takis flavor. It has that balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour, along with a delicious soy sauce powder flavor. I also love that they taste so different from all the other Takis flavors, making them super unique to the brand. This is the best Takis flavor for Takis haters. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Guacamole
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Guacamole Takis taste good, but there is something distinctly chemical-y about them. I know all Takis flavors are kind of chemical-y, but these are really chemical-y. Plus, the green color is not appealing to me. It reads more as “Run!” rather than fun, if you get what I’m saying. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Kettlez Jalapeño Typhoon
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Oddly enough, unlike Fuego Kettlez—perhaps the spiciest Takis to date—these Jalapeño Typhoon Takis Kettlez are the most mild Takis snacks on the list, hands down. They have a subtle jalapeño flavor that’s bright, pleasant, addictive, and honestly? Not very spicy. That said, to really enjoy these chips, it’s better to think of them as being outside the Takis cinematic universe. When I tried them in succession with all these other bold, flavor-blasted products, it was hard to properly appreciate them. TL;DR: Don’t fry your taste buds with Fuego before giving these a chance! They are pretty darn good. The team loved these Takis Kettlez, especially dunked in a jar of queso we had in the fridge. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Takis Nitro
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These are red. They’re so red that they look like you should absolutely not eat them, which only makes me want to eat them more. They are an un-forbidden forbidden food. And the only thing stronger than the color is the flavor. These are some of the most citrusy Takis we tried. The lime factor is off the charts in Takis Nitro. If you’re part of the citric acid fan club, grab a bag of these because they are the best Takis flavor for lime lovers. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Takis Intense Nacho
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Intense Nacho Takis are nice for anyone who likes cheese and zest and crunch, but doesn’t enjoy spice. That being said, I’m not sure why you’re eating Takis if you don’t like spice. What’s the point?! But, if you are that person, give these a try. They are cheesy and have a great crunch. This is easily the best Takis flavor for people who can’t handle heat. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Crunchy Fajitas
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These Crunchy Fajita Takis are my favorite take on a Takis flavor. They are a little spicy and super savory, but the sour tang is more gentle than it is in most other Takis products. We all agreed they taste like taco seasoning in the best way possible. Cumin is kicking in the Takis Crunchy Fajitas seasoning. Not everyone loved this Takis flavor as much as me, but we all agreed that they are unique. And, hey, since I’m writing this list, I am in charge and I say that these belong near the top of the best Takis flavor list! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Takis Fuego
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Takis Fuego are the classic Takis flavor. They’re the blueprint. The perfect example of Takis. You simply cannot go wrong with Takis Fuego and that makes them the best Takis flavor. Spice and sourness are perfectly balanced. You can’t improve something that’s already perfect. They’re not for the faint of heart, but they are for the strong of taste buds. In my opinion, nothing can trump the OG. Takis Fuego forever!!! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
Crisps Fuego!
Takis Duos!
Kettlez Fuego!
Stix Fuego!
Hot Nuts Smokin’ Lime!
Waves Blue Heat!
Buckin’ Ranch!
Zombie!
Nacho Xplosion!
Blue Heat!
Waves Dragon Sweet Chili!
Hot Nuts Fuego!
Dragon Sweet Chili!
Guacamole!
Kettlez Jalapeño Typhoon!
Nitro!
Intense Nacho!
Crunchy Fajitas!
Fuego!
Justine Sterling
Gwynedd Stuart
