New Bugles flavors don’t pop up every day, but this classic cornucopia-shaped corn chip has graced us with a fiery new addition: Bugles Tabasco Pepper Sauce. Right now, these Tabasco Bugles are the only spicy Bugles on this cult-favorite snack brand’s roster of flavors. Needless to say, we had to try them. Immediately.
Since the snack’s inception in 1964, Bugles has released 19 flavors, many of which have come and gone over the decades. Spicy Bugles flavors in particular seem to be a fleeting phenomenon—and understandably so. When kids (and adults) wear them like edible nail extensions, the risk of getting spicy flavor dust in your eye must skyrocket. Still, this flavor combo feels like a long time coming. Hot sauce and corn chips are a no-brainer. I’m expecting an almost lightweight, less spicy Takis snack with that distinctly maize-y Bugles flavor. But can these hold their own against the other classic Bugles flavors people know and love? Let’s find out.
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- Bugles Tabasco Pepper Sauce
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Look, I’m pretty pleased with these spicy Bugles. I’m going to play devil’s advocate for the people in the Sporked office who didn’t vibe with them as much, but on the whole, I’m a fan.
Pros: Tabasco is vinegary and a little sweet, and these Bugles emphasize that without overdoing it. They’re a great balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. It’s a fairly mild spiciness (definitely not Takis-level heat), but that’s part of what makes them so oddly addictive. Toss these in a bowl with some ranch Bugles, and you’ll end up with a flavorful buffalo ranch-style snack. Yummy.
Cons: Bugles are supposed to be airy and light—these are more dense and crunchy. That’s not a big deal to me personally, but for some Bugle fans, that lightweight crunch is part of the appeal. Here’s the bigger question, though: Why Tabasco? When I passed these spicy Bugles around the office, a few people mourned the choice of Tabasco over other hot sauces like Tapatio or Frank’s. I get where they’re coming from: These don’t have a ton of depth. Since the packaging also advertises a “cheesy” flavor that you simply can’t taste at all, these ultimately feel like they’re missing something. Still, I’m a sucker for that tortilla chip and hot sauce flavor combo. I ate most of the bag…and brought home the rest. And that’s gotta count for something.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!