All the Takis Flavors, Ranked (Now with Stix, Kettlez, and Waves, Too)

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. 

For better or worse, we’re on a mission here at Sporked: ranking every single Takis flavor we can find in stores and to find the best Takis flavor of them all. That’s easier said than done, since Takis seems to be on a mission of its own: popping out new snack variations left and right, from spicy peanuts to corn sticks to various styles of potato chips and crisps. As Sporked writer Madison Ramirez wisely said, “It’s weird to imagine the phrase, ‘Pass me the Takis,’ and receiving a bag of potato chips.” Speaking from experience now, she’s absolutely right. 

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). Going into this second taste test, we had so many burning questions. 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.

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Takis Crisps Fuego Potato Crisps Can

Crisps Fuego!

Takis Crisps Fuego

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 a rogue mad scientist’s lab. These are a no from me, fam. —Ariana Losch 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

4.5/10

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Takis Stix Fuego

Stix Fuego!

Takis Stix Fuego

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

Rating:

5/10

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Takis Kettlez Fuego

Kettlez Fuego!

Takis Kettlez Fuego

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

Rating:

5.5/10

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Takis Hot Nuts Smokin' Lime

Hot Nuts Smokin’ Lime!

Takis Hot Nuts Smokin’ Lime Double-Crunch Peanuts

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

Rating:

6/10

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Takis Hot Nuts Fuego Double Crunch Peanuts

Hot Nuts Fuego!

Takis Hot Nuts Fuego Double-Crunch Peanuts

Unfortunately, the Fuego version of Takis Hot Nuts is not much of an improvement. Overall, these are a little more palatable and less heavy on the citric acid. But we still run into the same issue: The corn and peanut flavors don’t really mesh. Double-crunch nuts are an untapped market in my opinion, though, and I think with a few tweaks, Takis could really have something here! —Ariana Losch 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

6/10

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Waves Blue Heat!

Takis Waves Blue Heat Wavy Potato Chips Bag

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

Rating:

6.5/10

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Takis Buckin' Ranch

Buckin’ Ranch!

Takis Buckin’ Ranch

We wanted to love these non-spicy Takis, we really did, but they didn’t deliver on flavor. These 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 / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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takis flavor

Blue Heat!

Takis Blue Heat

I don’t understand this Takis flavor. It tastes so similar to other Takis flavors but the flavor dust turns your teeth blue. You can basically only eat these if you’re living in a bunker underground and don’t have to ever see anyone ever again. These stained my entire mouth and hands and, for that, I simply must deduct points. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Takis Waves Dragon Sweet Chili Wavy Potato Chips Bag

Waves Dragon Sweet Chili!

Takis Waves Dragon Sweet Chili Wavy Potato Chips Bag

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 / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

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Takis Guacamole

Guacamole!

Takis Guacamole

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

Rating:

7.5/10

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Takis Kettlez Jalapeno Typhoon

Kettlez Jalapeño Typhoon!

Takis Kettlez Jalapeño Typhoon

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

Rating:

8.5/10

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takis flavors

Intense Nacho!

Takis Intense Nacho

New 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 the best Takis flavor for people who can’t handle heat. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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takis flavors

Dragon Sweet Chili!

Takis Dragon Sweet Chili

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

Rating:

9/10

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takis flavor

Crunchy Fajitas!

Takis Crunchy Fajitas

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

Rating:

9/10

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best takis flavors

Nitro!

Takis Nitro

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

Rating:

9.5/10

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best Takis flavor

Fuego!

Takis Fuego

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 Feugo forever!!! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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