3 min read- Frito-Lay launched a new line of Flavor Swap snacks: a limited-time release that puts flavors like Cool Ranch, Cheddar & Sour Cream, and Sweet Southern Heat on unexpected chips.
- The Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue Cheetos were the clear standout, delivering a sweet-smoky flavor with a lingering kick that felt genuinely new.
- The snacks are on sale now on TikTok Shop before expanding to retailers nationwide on March 1.
Frito-Lay just launched its latest limited-edition snack line—and it feels like Freaky Friday in chip form. Flavor Swap takes some of your favorite chips and seasons them with familiar, yet unexpected Frito-Lay flavors.
After several rounds of consumer testing and input from some of Gen Z’s most beloved stars, the brand identified the three best combinations: Cool Ranch Ruffles, Cheddar & Sour Cream Doritos, and BBQ Cheetos.
It feels like one of those ideas that’s so obvious you’re shocked it didn’t happen sooner. I tried all three Flavor Swap snacks to see how they stack up in real life. While the results were mixed, each offering was genuinely fun. Here’s my verdict.
Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream On Doritos
The first chip I tried was a Dorito dusted with Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream seasoning—the preferred pick of YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed. This flavor surprised me the most, mostly because I’ve never been particularly loyal to this variety of Ruffles. On a Dorito, though, the flavor works better than expected. The tortilla chip gives the cheesy notes a warmer, more rounded base, and the cheddar reads creamier instead of sharp.
That being said, this is the least exciting of the three. If you put these in a bowl at a party without context, I’d assume they were just a new Doritos flavor and keep it moving. It’s solid and enjoyable, but not mind-blowing.
Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue On Cheetos Crunchy
This snack takes the beloved crunchy Cheeto base and coats it with Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue seasoning—and it’s the true standout of the bunch. Grammy-nominated artist Madison Beer always keeps Cheetos on hand while she’s on tour, so it only makes sense that she loves this version too.
I’m used to Cheetos being cheesy, salty, and fairly one-note, so the moment that sweet barbecue flavor hit, it felt like my brain had to recalibrate. They start sweet, drift smoky, and then finish with a gentle but noticeable heat that sneaks up on you.
This flavor swap actually changes how you eat the chip—suddenly you’re slowing down instead of inhaling them. They’re dangerously snackable and by far the hardest to stop eating.
Doritos Cool Ranch On Ruffles
The members of the online comedy group Dude Perfect picked perhaps the most exciting flavor combination: Doritos Cool Ranch seasoning on Ruffles. While I love both of these snacks on their own, the whole might not be better than the sum of its parts.
These are intense. Cool Ranch is already a bold flavor, and when you put it on a thick, ridged potato chip, it becomes even louder (almost aggressively so). The tang hits first, followed by a wall of herbs and seasoning that lingers. I liked them, but I also think they’re a little overwhelming after a handful. Personally, I kept thinking how incredible this flavor would be on a kettle chip—thicker, crunchier, and better equipped to handle the seasoning.
While some swaps work better than others, the experiment itself is half the fun. All of the Flavor Swap snacks are available now on TikTok Shop before expanding to retailers nationwide on March 1.