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Kettle Foods
*Buffalo Bleu was brought back in 2019 as a "seasoned veteran" limited edition.
Discontinued: Mid 1980s
When Cameron Healy developed his kettle-cooking technique for potato chips, Red Chili was one of his original flavors.
This fiery chip proved that natural ingredients could deliver serious heat without the need for artificial additives. Red Chili represented everything Kettle Brand stood for in those early days. Authentic, bold, and way different than all the other mass-produced snacks on the market.
Discontinued: Mid 1980s
Before Greek yogurt conquered America, you could get Yogurt & Green Onion as a chip flavor.
Drawing inspiration from Healy's cheese-selling background, this tangy creation combined creamy yogurt seasoning with sharp green onion notes.
Discontinued: Early 2000s
In the 1990s, the Tex-Mex boom was taking over America. Salsa with Mesquite answered the call.
These Kettle chips had a salsa flavor with a smoky twist. The mesquite wood notes added depth that regular salsa chips couldn't match.
As Tex-Mex moved from trendy to mainstream, Salsa with Mesquite chips was quietly discontinued. But the company took inspiration to launch other chili-based chips for future rollouts.
Discontinued: 2006
Cheddar Beer made history as co-winner of Kettle Brand's first-ever People's Choice contest, but it was "ahead of its time" in ways that mattered.
The yeasty, malty beer flavors paired with sharp cheddar created something completely new in the chip world. Reviewers were fascinated by how Kettle Brand captured the actual notes of beer without the presence of alcohol.
After three successful years, Cheddar Beer disappeared just as craft beer culture was beginning to explode.
Discontinued: 2009
Another People's Choice, Jalapeño Jack perfectly balanced spicy jalapeño heat with creamy Monterey Jack cheese. A combo that seemed obvious in hindsight.
Discontinued: 2009
Tuscan Three Cheese represented Kettle Brand's sophisticated side during the early days of the foodie movement.
These cheesy-flavored chips were created to offer a gourmet experience with three distinct Italian cheeses and herb seasoning. The 2006 People's Choice winner appealed to Americans developing more refined palates.
Discontinued: 2009 (Returned 2019)
The original buffalo-flavored kettle chip that defined a category.
Buffalo Bleu featured classic Buffalo wing heat with a cooling blue cheese finish. Perfect for football seasons and late-night snacking.
When Kettle Brand brought it back in 2019, they called it a "seasoned veteran" and positioned it perfectly for tailgate season.
Discontinued: 2007
Twisted Chili Lime brought Mexican-inspired heat with bright citrus notes. These chips would later inspire countless chili-lime variations across the snack industry.
Though these chips were discontinued after the 2007 contest, Twisted Chili Lime's DNA lives on in virtually every chili-lime chip that followed.
Discontinued: 2007
Perhaps the most adventurous flavor ever tested by an American chip company.
Dragon 5 Spice featured an authentic Chinese five-spice blend, which included star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, and Sichuan pepper.
It was a flavor that was willing to push American palates toward completely unfamiliar territory.
Discontinued: 2007
The People's Choice finalist that inspired genuine grief from food critics.
Royal Indian Curry featured authentic Indian spices including turmeric, cumin, and garam masala. When it lost the 2007 vote, a Sonoma Magazine critic mourned its loss, calling it his "man" and saying, "Rest in peace, friend."
Discontinued: 2009
Island Jerk delivered authentic jerk seasoning with a barbecue-meets-allspice profile that beat out three other international finalists in a hotly contested vote.
The flavor represented the mid-2000s trend toward fusion cuisine. It brought tropical island heat to American snacking.
Discontinued: 2010
The final champion of the People's Choice era.
The Fully Loaded Baked Potato was introduced in 2009, featuring sour cream, cheddar, green onion, and smoky bacon notes. It was comfort food in chip form during a recession when Americans craved familiar, hearty flavors.
When the People's Choice campaign ended in 2010 due to Kettle Brand's acquisition by Diamond Foods, Fully Loaded Baked Potato disappeared with it.
Discontinued: After limited run
Ahead of its time, before breakfast-flavored everything became a trend.
Maple Syrup with Bacon combined sweet maple notes with smoky bacon.
The experimental seasoning proved that Kettle Brand was willing to test the boundaries of what chips could be.
Discontinued: After limited run
The mysterious burger-inspired flavor that kept everyone guessing.
Special Sauce represented Kettle Brand's continued willingness to experiment with unusual flavors even after the People's Choice era ended.
Like many limited editions, Special Sauce was discontinued as quickly as it arrived.
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