Let’s be honest: most people have a favorite Dorito flavor and rarely stray from it. Nacho Cheese loyalists defend their orange-fingered snack with pride, while Cool Ranch fans won’t hear a word against their zesty blue bag. But what happens when you put brand loyalty aside and actually taste every flavor on the market?
That’s exactly what I did.
Armed with a fully stocked snack drawer and an open mind, I set out to try every Dorito flavor I could get my hands on — from classics like Nacho Cheese to fiery wild cards like Flamin’ Hot Limón and underrated gems like Poppin’ Jalapeño. What started as a casual chip sampling turned into a flavor-packed journey through unexpected spice combos, nostalgic seasonings, and bold profiles that completely rewired the way I think about flavored chips.
What shocked me the most? It wasn’t just the heat levels or creative twists — it was how nuanced some of these flavors actually are. Some tasted like full meals in chip form (hello, Taco Flavor), while others brought layer after layer of complexity that kept me going back for more. Even the ones I thought I’d hate managed to win me over after a few bites.
Whether you’re a die-hard Dorito fan or just snack-curious, this ranked review breaks down the flavors that genuinely surprised me — for better, for bolder, and in a few cases, for spicier than I was ready for.
Here’s how each flavor stacked up, what made them stand out (or fall flat), and which bags are absolutely worth adding to your snack stash next time you hit the chip aisle.
1. Nacho Cheese: The OG That Still Packs A Punch
Sometimes classics become classics for a reason. The iconic orange dust coating each triangular chip delivers that perfect umami-cheese combo that’s been winning fans since 1972.
What surprised me most wasn’t the flavor itself—it was how it held up against all these newfangled competitors. The balance of tangy cheese, tomato undertones, and that mysterious “Dorito dust” chemistry creates something greater than the sum of its parts.
Fun fact: Nacho Cheese Doritos were actually the second Dorito flavor ever released, after the original plain tortilla chip. The simplicity of this flavor has outlasted decades of food trends for good reason!
2. Cool Ranch: The Unexpected Herb Garden
Biting into Cool Ranch Doritos transported me back to childhood sleepovers, but with adult taste buds, I noticed something fascinating. The flavor isn’t just creamy tanginess—it’s a sophisticated herb blend mimicking actual ranch dressing with dill, garlic, onion, and a touch of buttermilk.
The white and blue specks aren’t just for show; each carries distinct flavor notes. What shocked me was the complexity hiding in this seemingly simple chip.
Ranch dressing was invented in the 1950s, but Cool Ranch Doritos didn’t appear until 1986. In the UK and other countries, this same flavor is called “Cool Original”—proving ranch isn’t universally recognized!
3. Spicy Nacho: The Perfect Heat Balance
Approaching Spicy Nacho with caution (my spice tolerance is mediocre at best), I was pleasantly surprised by its restraint. Rather than overwhelming heat, these chips deliver a slow-building warmth that complements rather than overpowers the familiar nacho cheese.
The genius lies in how the spice enhances the cheese notes instead of fighting them. There’s a slight red pepper kick that arrives fashionably late to the flavor party, making each chip more addictive than the last.
Many spicy snacks go for shock value over flavor depth. Spicy Nacho Doritos break that mold by prioritizing taste harmony, creating what might be the most perfectly balanced chip in the entire lineup.
4. Flamin’ Hot Nacho: The Flavor Chameleon
The first crunch revealed something unexpected—this isn’t just Nacho Cheese with Flamin’ Hot dust sprinkled on top. The flavor transforms completely, creating an entirely new experience that dances between familiar and novel.
My taste buds detected layers unfolding sequentially: first comes cheese, then a wave of that signature Flamin’ Hot tang, followed by a slow-building heat that lingers longer than expected. The heat level hits a sweet spot that keeps you reaching for more instead of milk.
What surprised me most was how the cheese and heat elements seem to take turns in the spotlight with each chip, sometimes emphasizing one note, sometimes the other. No two bites felt exactly the same!
5. Blaze: The Sneaky Inferno
Don’t let the understated packaging fool you—Blaze Doritos ambushed me with their intensity! Unlike other spicy varieties that announce their heat immediately, these chips employ guerrilla warfare tactics on your taste buds.
The initial flavor is deceptively mild with smoky chipotle notes and a hint of tomato. Then suddenly—WHAM!—a serious capsaicin punch hits mid-chew and builds to a five-alarm fire. What makes these truly surprising is how the heat doesn’t mask the underlying flavors.
Despite the burn, I found myself going back for more, experiencing that peculiar pleasure-pain phenomenon that spice enthusiasts chase. These aren’t everyday snacking chips—they’re more like a dare in triangular form!
6. Poppin’ Jalapeño: The Smokehouse Surprise
My expectations for Poppin’ Jalapeño centered around fresh, green pepper heat. Instead, I discovered something far more interesting—a complex profile dominated by smokiness rather than spice.
The flavor reminded me of roasted jalapeños with a tangy cream cheese filling. The heat level stays remarkably restrained, allowing subtle notes of garlic and onion to shine through. After several chips, a gentle warmth builds that never overwhelms.
Most surprising was the almost buttery quality that emerges after the initial crunch. Unlike many jalapeño-flavored snacks that rely on artificial pepper flavor, these chips capture the depth of a properly charred pepper. They’re less about the burn and more about the rich, rounded flavor experience.
7. Spicy Sweet Chili: The Unexpected Addiction
The purple bag caught my eye, but the flavor captured my heart. Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos deliver exactly what the name promises—yet somehow remain completely surprising with each bite.
The initial sweetness hits first—not candy-sweet, but a subtle Asian-inspired sugar note reminiscent of Thai sweet chili sauce. This quickly gives way to garlic and onion depth before a gentle heat arrives fashionably late. The genius lies in how these elements never fully resolve, creating a continuous flavor loop.
Most chip flavors eventually become one-note, but these maintain their complexity down to the last crumb. I found myself unconsciously reaching for chip after chip, trying to decode the perfect balance that makes these so dangerously snackable.
8. Flamin’ Hot Limón: The Citrus Firestorm
My taste buds weren’t prepared for the flavor rollercoaster of Flamin’ Hot Limón. The first sensation is surprisingly bright—genuine lime zest rather than artificial sourness—followed immediately by an aggressive heat wave that made my eyes water.
The genius of this variety lies in how the citrus cuts through the heat, creating a self-contained flavor cycle. Just as the spice threatens to overwhelm, the lime swoops in with refreshing acidity that somehow makes you ready for another fiery chip.
These chips perfectly capture the Mexican street food tradition of adding lime and chile to everything. I found myself unable to stop at just one handful despite the building heat—the citrus component creates an almost thirst-quenching quality that keeps you coming back for more punishment!
9. Taco Flavor: The Nostalgic Time Machine
Biting into Taco Doritos was like opening a time capsule from my childhood. This retro flavor—one of the earliest Dorito varieties—delivers a surprisingly accurate taco seasoning experience that transported me straight back to Tuesday night dinners.
The seasoning blend captures all the elements of a classic American taco kit: cumin, chili powder, onion, and that distinctive yellow cheese note. What amazed me was how these simple chips managed to evoke not just taco flavoring, but the complete taco experience.
Originally introduced in 1967, Taco Doritos were actually the first flavored Dorito ever created! While they’ve disappeared and reappeared over the decades, the flavor remains remarkably unchanged—proving that sometimes food nostalgia is based on genuinely good ideas, not just sentimentality.
10. Salsa Verde: The Garden-Fresh Revelation
Salsa Verde Doritos delivered the biggest flavor surprise of my entire chip-tasting marathon. Unlike most Doritos that lean heavily on cheese or heat, these chips capture something remarkably fresh and authentic—actual roasted tomatillo salsa.
The tang hits first—bright, almost pickle-like—followed by herbal notes of cilantro and a hint of lime. There’s subtle heat that builds gradually, never overwhelming the main green chile character. The flavor manages to be both bold and refreshing simultaneously.
What impressed me most was how these chips avoid the artificial taste trap. They genuinely taste like someone transformed homemade salsa into chip form. For anyone who thinks Doritos can only do variations on cheese and heat, Salsa Verde proves the brand has serious culinary range!
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