Kevin and I recently tried the Doritos Flamin' Hot Mystery Flavor, which we found at Walmart for $3.98. Despite searching in Winchester and Lexington, Kentucky, we only discovered these chips while on vacation. Interestingly, it seemed like fate, as we snagged the very last bag on the shelf.
These chips were somewhat hidden, not part of a special display, and placed among the regular Doritos. It felt like someone had second thoughts and left this bag behind for us to find.
The 9 oz bag contains about nine servings, with each serving being 11 chips (28 grams) at 140 calories. These chips are produced in Plano, Texas. In our experience, mystery flavors often remain elusive, and this was no exception.
Upon opening the bag, we noticed a unique smell—something sweet, almost like french toast or caramel corn. This unusual aroma made us curious but hesitant, given the bright red color indicating the intense heat to come.
As we tasted the chips, a surprising sweetness hit first, reminiscent of syrup. However, this sweetness quickly gave way to a creeping heat, which built up to a significant intensity. Kevin likened the gradual increase in heat to the boiler in "The Shining," where the pressure "creeps" until it’s almost unbearable.
The ingredient list includes corn, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, dextrose, monosodium glutamate, red pepper, and artificial coloring, among others. The sweetness likely comes from the sugar and possibly some natural flavors.
In terms of taste, the initial sweetness makes way for a fiery kick that might be too intense for some. While I could manage to eat a few more, I wouldn’t enjoy it, preferring snacks that are pleasant from the first bite. Kevin agreed, suggesting that while you might get used to the heat over time, it’s not something we’d choose to acclimate to.
Our best guess for the flavor? It seems like a Flamin' Hot kettle corn. The combination of sweet and spicy is unusual but intriguing. If you've tried these chips, let us know your thoughts in the comments. We’re curious to hear your guesses.
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