20 Flavors of Chips That Shouldn’t Have Existed
Here's a roundup of 20 real chip flavors from around the world that went too far in their experiments and ended up more bizarre than appetizing.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Chip companies constantly push boundaries to capture attention, but not every experiment works. From Lay’s Cappuccino to Doritos Mountain Dew, these strange flavors show how quickly novelty can turn into regret. While some became cult curiosities, most disappeared quickly, proving that sometimes, classic salt is the safest bet.
1. Lay’s Cappuccino (USA, 2014)
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Lay’s Cappuccino chips were part of the “Do Us a Flavor” contest, and while innovative, they baffled most snackers. The coffee flavor was overly sweet and clashed with the salty potato base. It quickly became more of a joke than a snack.
2. Pringles Prawn Cocktail (UK, 1990s)
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Inspired by a classic British appetizer, Pringles released a prawn cocktail flavor. Many found it too fishy and artificial, with an overwhelming tang. It remains one of the oddest flavors still occasionally spotted on shelves.
3. Lay’s Cucumber (China, 2000s)
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China has experimented with many unusual Lay’s flavors, and cucumber was one of the most surprising. The chips tasted like watery, lightly salted cucumbers, which confused snackers used to bold seasoning. Refreshing for some, but too strange for most.
4. Pringles White Chocolate Peppermint (USA, 2012)
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Released as a holiday special, these chips were coated in sweet peppermint flavoring. Fans of dessert-style snacks were curious, but most agreed it tasted like toothpaste on a potato chip. It disappeared quickly after the season ended.
5. Lay’s Blueberry (China, 2000s)
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Lay’s once introduced blueberry-flavored chips in China. The clash between fruity sweetness and fried potatoes was unsettling. They became infamous online for their unusual pairing.
6. Doritos Mountain Dew (Australia, 2008)
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Australia saw a Doritos flavor collaboration with Mountain Dew. The lime-citrus tang on a corn chip was jarring, leaving most people confused. It was discontinued after a limited release.
7. Pringles Pumpkin Pie Spice (USA, 2012)
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Another holiday edition from Pringles, this one leaned into the pumpkin spice craze. The sweet cinnamon-nutmeg flavor clashed with the salty potato base. Even pumpkin spice lovers couldn’t fully embrace it.
8. Lay’s Hot and Sour Fish Soup (China, 2010s)
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Inspired by a traditional dish, Lay’s launched this flavor in China. The strong fishy aroma and tangy spice were too much for many snackers. It remains one of the strangest Lay’s experimentations.
9. Doritos Wasabi (Japan, 2000s)
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Doritos tried wasabi as a flavor in Japan. While adventurous, the burning horseradish heat mixed oddly with the cheese-like chip base. It divided snackers between “genius” and “gross.”
10. Pringles Pecan Pie (USA, 2013)
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This was part of Pringles’ dessert holiday series. It had a buttery sweetness that didn’t belong on a crisp. Most people tried it once just for novelty.
11. Lay’s Cajun Squirrel (UK, 2009)
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As part of a fan contest, Lay’s (Walkers in the UK) introduced Cajun Squirrel. The flavor was supposedly “meaty” with Cajun seasoning, but mostly came off as weirdly artificial. It became a cult oddity rather than a favorite.
12. Pringles Milk Chocolate (USA, 2012)
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This sweet-and-savory combo attempted to mimic chocolate-covered snacks. The result was cloying and confusing, with an odd aftertaste. It quickly disappeared after its release.
13. Lay’s Grilled Cheese and Ketchup (Canada, 2013)
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This flavor tried to mimic a childhood classic but ended up strange. The ketchup tang overpowered everything, with the cheese notes tasting artificial. Canadians didn’t embrace it long-term.
14. Doritos Late Night All Nighter Cheeseburger (USA, 2010)
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This Doritos flavor attempted to capture the taste of a cheeseburger. It bizarrely had notes of ketchup, pickles, and charred beef. Most found it unsettlingly accurate but unappetizing.
15. Lay’s Mango Salsa (USA, 2014)
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Another “Do Us a Flavor” finalist, Mango Salsa chips were fruity and tangy. The problem was the overpowering sweetness mixed with salty crunch. They were quickly retired.
16. Pringles Sweet Cinnamon (USA, 2012)
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Pringles rolled out cinnamon-coated crisps as part of their sweet line. The sugar and spice combination clashed with the fried potato base. Even sweet snack fans couldn’t make sense of it.
17. Lay’s Nori Seaweed (Asia, 2010s)
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This Asian market flavor mimicked roasted seaweed. While seaweed is popular in other snacks, it didn’t translate well to potatoes. Many described it as oddly “ocean-like” and unappealing.
18. Doritos X-13D Mystery Flavor (USA, 2007)
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Marketed as a “mystery” taste, this Doritos actually tasted like a cheeseburger with pickles. People were shocked at how meaty and strange it was. The promotion was memorable, but the chips weren’t tasty.
19. Lay’s Yogurt and Mint (Middle East, 2010s)
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A Middle Eastern-exclusive, these chips mimicked a yogurt dip. The sour-minty profile was divisive, with many saying it felt more like toothpaste than a snack. It never gained wide popularity.
20. Pringles Mozzarella Sticks and Marinara (USA, 2013)
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This flavor tried to replicate mozzarella sticks dipped in tomato sauce. The artificial cheese notes overpowered the tomato flavor, leaving it unbalanced. Snackers called it a failed experiment.