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Frito-Lay
Note: Some dates are approximate based on available information, as official company records for all discontinued chip flavors are not always publicly available.
Discontinued: Late 1990s (Brief return 2012)
In the mid-80s, ranch dressing was becoming America’s favorite condiment. So Frito-Lay decided to capture the creamy, tangy sauce in a corn chip.
Wild’ n Mild Ranch was unlike other chips that simply dusted seasoning on top; these corn chips had the ranch flavor woven directly into the chip itself. The result? A perfect balance that let you taste both the corn and the ranch without one overpowering the other.
These Fritos came with the slogan: “creamy ranch flavor that no Fritos rustler can resist.”
Discontinued: Early 1990s
The late 80s were wild times for snack innovation, and Non-Stop Nacho represented Frito-Lay’s bold attempt to bring the Dorito experience to their corn chip empire.
These Fritos featured a “big nacho crunch” that combined the substantial texture of corn chips with the irresistible appeal of nacho cheese. The TV commercials embraced a Mexican fiesta theme, complete with vibrant colors and festive music.
Discontinued: 1997
Some snacks try to look fancy. Texas Grill Fritos actually had grill marks on each chip.
Released in 1995, Texas Grill was Frito-Lay’s most visually ambitious flavor experiment. These BBQ flavored chips were thicker than regular Fritos and featured printed grill marks on every single chip. The “crisscross of dark lines” made each chip look like it had just come off a backyard barbecue.
The marketing campaign was equally ambitious, featuring country music superstar Reba McEntire in commercials that celebrated the chip’s authentic BBQ appearance. The honey barbecue flavor was robust enough to match the visual theatrics.
Texas Grill became such a cultural phenomenon that comedian Mitch Hedberg included them in his stand-up routine, sarcastically quipping about firing up the barbecue to throw down some Fritos.
Discontinued: Late 1990s
In the late 90s, NASCAR was king, and Frito-Lay decided to take snack innovation into the fast lane.
Fritos Racerz were a race car-themed corn chip shaped like Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR vehicle. This was peak ’90s advertising. Take a popular snack, partner with a sports celebrity, and create something new.
The collaboration with Jeff Gordon was pure genius. Kids could eat their favorite driver’s car while watching him race on Sunday afternoons. The marketing campaign featured a surreal TV commercial, in which a giant boy attempted to catch and eat a race car during a dream sequence. Yeah, the ’90s were a bit weird.
Fritos Racerz had a brief but memorable run before giving way to the more practical Twists line.
Discontinued: Early 2000s
The late ’90s brought us Y2K fears, boy bands, and one of the most beloved Fritos flavors ever created.
Cheddar Ranch Twists were formulated with sharp cheddar cheese and ranch dressing in a spiral shape that provided extra texture and crunch. For nearly a decade, these twists were the perfect snack. Both ranch lovers and cheese heads loved the Twists.
The spiral design created more surface area for flavor and a more satisfying crunch. Each bite delivered layers of taste that evolved as you chewed, from the initial sharp cheddar hit to the creamy ranch finish.
Discontinued: 2003
Jalapeño Cheddar Twists mastered the art of being perfectly spicy.
These weren’t just spicy chips, they were a carefully calibrated experience. Frito-Lay’s food scientists created jalapeño heat without being overwhelming, allowing the cheddar flavor to shine through. And they gave just enough kick to keep things interesting.
The twist shape added another dimension to the experience, creating a playful crunch that made each bite feel substantial and satisfying. You could enjoy the flavor without needing “a fire extinguisher,” as one reviewer noted. These twists are possibly one of the most accessible spicy snacks ever.
Discontinued: 2009
Country music and corn chips might seem unlikely, but in 2008, Tim McGraw proved that collaboration could work.
McGraw’s Spicy Jalapeño was part of a larger partnership between the country superstar and Frito-Lay, featuring Tim McGraw’s smiling face on every bag. The flavor itself was intense. Designed for serious spice lovers who wanted more than just a tingle.
Food blogger Nate’s Plate captured the experience perfectly: “The first bite tastes like genuine jalapeño for an instant, then disappears. Next, a moment of subdued Tex-Mex flavor is followed by a brief tingle of the tongue and throat.” The heat was so intense that it could make you sneeze.
Discontinued: Around 2013
Innovation sometimes means taking the familiar and making it surprising. Tangy Roasted Corn did exactly that.
These chips featured light orange-colored seasoning that started as mild barbecue, transformed into a distinct lime aftertaste as you chewed. The tangy seasoning was not overwhelmingly strong, but it was strong enough to pretty much cover up the regular Fritos taste.
The concept was brilliant. Roasted corn flavor on corn chips should have been a natural winner. The execution was unique enough to earn a three-star rating from Chip Review, with reviewers noting how the flavor evolved throughout the eating experience.
Discontinued: Mid-2010s
Mexican hot sauce culture was exploding in the early 2010s, and Frito-Lay wasn’t the type to be left behind.
Tapatío Flavor Twists brought the sweet, tangy flavor of the beloved hot sauce to both Fritos and Doritos varieties. These chips captured the essence of Tapatío hot sauce, a household favorite across America.
Fans were immediately hooked: “These are so tasty and spicy!!! Love them so much. They are good on their own, no dip needed!” The flavor was complex enough to stand alone, with one reviewer noting they “reminded me a lot of the Doritos Tapatíos” while maintaining the distinctive Fritos corn chip texture.
Discontinued: Around 2018
By 2016, ranch dressing had become so popular that Frito-Lay decided to give it another shot. This time with a twist.
Classic Ranch was the spiritual successor to Wild’ n Mild Ranch, but with a more visible approach to seasoning. You could see the flavor: “small green and red seasoning bits” dotted each chip. It created a visual experience like no other.
These Fritos had a tasty ranch flavor on the first bite, not particularly strong but still a good ranch taste, slowly transitioning into a more standard Fritos taste as the ranch wore off.
Discontinued: 2022
The most recent casualty in the Fritos lineup of snacks.
Lime & Chile offered a mild level of lime and chile flavoring that allowed the Fritos to still be tasted. Some say it had the perfect balance of flavor for the Fritos corn base. The combination of citrus and chile heat created something both familiar and exotic.
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