Tag: Chips

REVIEW: Rold Gold Recipe No. 4 Zesty Buffalo Pretzel Twists

Sean 9 Comments

Rold Gold Recipe No 4 Zesty Buffalo Bag

What are Rold Gold Recipe No. 4 Zesty Buffalo Pretzel Twists?

Recipe No. 4 is autumn’s inverse follow up to summer’s absolutely bangin’ Recipe No. 5. Rold Gold’s latest soft and slightly sweet braided pretzel twist gets a punchy makeover with a little help from zesty buffalo seasoning.

How are they?

Rold Gold Recipe No 4 Zesty Buffalo Out of the Bag

These Buffalo-flavored pretzels are heavy on the tangy, zesty buttermilk, and relatively light on the spicy tingle I associate with the word “Buffalo.” They taste like a proper hot wing dunked in a very generous amount of ranch, with a lot less of the pretzel sweetness coming through than with the first incarnation of the “No.” line. Garlic and onion linger in the background of a surprisingly creamy and unsurprisingly salty snack that finishes with a touch of peppery heat.

Anything else you need to know?

I was absolutely in love with the No. 5 pretzels. No joke, I smashed eight bags over two months. I was addicted in a way I had never been addicted to a pretzel before, so I came into this review with pretty massive expectations. My expectations weren’t met, but that doesn’t make these bad. They’re actually well executed, but I would never in a million years pick them over my beautiful and precious No. 5.

Conclusion:

Rold Gold Recipe No 4 Zesty Buffalo Line

Does the arrival of No. 4 indicate Rold Gold will be counting backwards to eventually reach No. 1? Will No. 1 be the best? Since I found No. 5 to be better than No. 4, maybe they’ll get gradually worse until we reach the end. But I highly doubt that’s the case, and I will continue to have high hopes for this premium pretzel line.

As for numbers 1-3? Here are my suggestions/desires: cinnamon sugar, honey mustard, and spicy queso.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product from Frito-Lay. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 16 oz bag
Purchased at: Received from Frito-Lay
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (14 pretzels) 130 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Ruffles Baked Flamin’ Hot Potato Crisps

Marvo 4 Comments

Ruffles Baked Flamin Hot Potato Crisps Bag

Frito-Lay’s Ruffles Baked is like Val Kilmer Batman. They’re both okay, but it hard to get excited when I know there are tastier options out there. Original Ruffles is like George Clooney Batman because both are hard to resist snacks. Nom nom nom. NOM.

If Ruffles Baked is like Val Kilmer Batman, then adding Flamin’ Hot seasoning to the potato crisps is like the addition of nipples on the Batsuit in Batman Forever. Both make things spicy.

I’ll admit I don’t regularly buy snacks from Frito-Lay’s Baked line, but I’m not dissatisfied when I do. But any Baked version of a Frito-Lay chip lacks the one thing fried chips have — addictiveness.

Okay, maybe addiction is too much on one side of the spectrum because I would not do unmentionable things to get my hands on a bag of Ruffles.

But, if a Ruffles Baked bag is placed in front of me, I’ll gladly munch on it. However, there’s an excellent chance there will still be some left. With, let’s say, a bag of regular Ruffles, there’s a 100 percent chance I will demolish that bag’s contents unless it’s taken away from me by force or if my doctor happens to be in the same room and he gives me a disapproving look.

Ruffles Baked Flamin Hot Potato Crisps Closeup

With that said, the familiar, slightly cheesy, and spicy Flamin’ Hot seasoning instantly makes these potato crisps my favorite variety in the Baked line that I’ve had so far, which I will admit is not many. Maybe four or five? And that doesn’t include the Cheetos Baked Flamin’ Hot.

But, even though these Ruffles are nicely coated in the red seasoning, it doesn’t completely hide the baked potato crisps’ flavor, which I’ve always thought tastes more like a cracker than a potato chip.

Ruffles Baked Flamin Hot Potato Crisps Closerup

Nevertheless, these crisps are hard to put down thanks to the flavor and heat from the red seasoning. But, oddly, I didn’t feel the need to put them down to drink something because, and maybe this is just my imagination, these don’t seem to be as spicy as regular Ruffles Flamin’ Hot or Flamin’ Hot Crunchy Cheetos.

While I very much enjoyed Baked Ruffles Flamin’ Hot, I can understand why others might not feel the same way because of the underlying crisp’s flavor. But, if you’re okay with Frito-Lay’s Baked line, which I imagine is a lot of people because it’s been around for years, then this is definitely worth a try.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 6 1/4 oz bag
Purchased at: Received from Frito-Lay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (28 grams/about 11 crisps) 120 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips

Vin 10 Comments

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips Bag

What are Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips?

The next evolution of Frito-Lay’s “Hint of” Tostitos is good ol’ guac.

How are they?

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole pack a big flavor for a chip that only promises a little. They’re essentially “Hint of Doritos,” and for that reason, I loved them.

There’s a fresh avocado taste despite no avocado in the ingredient list, which was a bit weird. I guess that’s an expense thing? Either way, the taste came through.

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips Bowl

There’s a nice “hint of” heat that I was able to decipher, and then confirm, as jalapeno. The flavor reminded me a bit of Jalapeno Fritos, which I can absolutely demolish in one or two sittings.

I also noticed a – I guess the name really fits – a “hint of” cheese, which the ingredients confirmed as cheddar and Swiss. I wasn’t expecting that, but it definitely enhanced the overall flavor.

These have all the elements of a great guacamole. Except for peas, which everyone knows is the key ingredient to a great guacamole dip. (Relax internet, I’m just kidding… although I would try that with zero remorse.)

Anything else you need to know?

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips Closeup

Tostitos Hint of Lime might be my favorite tortilla chip, but the size and shape are annoying. You can easily break them into pieces, but let’s be real, we all try to shove the entire massive triangle into our mouths in one bite.

Hint of Guac are the ideal size. I don’t dip flavored chips, so I want them to be snackable, and I gotta give Frito-Lay credit for opting to make these “bite sized rounds.”

As I mentioned above, some chips are so caked in flavor, they might as well be guacamole-flavored Doritos – a variety I know exists, but has somehow eluded me my entire life. Maybe if enough people like these, Frito-Lay will take the hint and make those a year-round release.

Conclusion:

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole Tortilla Chips Bag Bowl

Despite the mild spice and an overload of sodium, I found these deliciously snackable.

I think I’ve had most of the “Hint of” line, and would probably slot these just under Lime. I’d actually really like to try mixing these, Queso, and Lime together for a big “Hint of” Mexican dinner flavored mix. Someone test that out and get back to me.

Purchased Price: $4.29
Size: 12 oz
Purchased at: Acme
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (20 Chips) 150 calories, 8 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 150 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of total carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of total sugars, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Twisted Lime Doritos

Brandon 11 Comments

Twisted Lime Doritos Bag

What are Twisted Lime Doritos?

Provided you’ve had Doritos at some point in your life, you probably already get the basic premise here: America’s favorite flavored tortilla chip (according to me, but not like, science or polling or anything) gets a lime twist. Earlier this year, Doritos introduced Flamin’ Hot Limón Doritos, which makes me think that this is its version of a less violent baby-brother, you know, with no prison rap sheet and fewer face tattoos.

How is it?

I have a culinary aversion to things labeled as “EXTREME!” or “TWISTED!” (insert face-shredding guitar solo.) I do not want my snacks to be aggressive or be, in any fashion, “to the max!!!” So, I’ll admit: I wasn’t expecting to like these Twisted Lime Doritos. (And I say this as someone who would consider emblazoning my tombstone with “he liked Doritos more than an adult man should.”) But guess what? These were fantastic!

Twisted Lime Doritos Closeup

It was almost as if Doritos took a pared-down Cool Ranch base, infused it with a hint of lime, then made the resulting chip prance through a field of jalapeños. I wasn’t expecting the ranchiness and the heat, but it was all right there in the ingredients list: jalapeño powder, buttermilk, and sour cream. All of these things coalesced in just the right amounts resulting in a fine new offering to the Frito-Lay family.

Anything else you need to know?

The tanginess from the lime is perfect without being overwhelming, but also, THE HEAT! These chips pack a punch. It’s a slow-building burn that takes a few seconds to hit, but once it does, you’re gonna need a quick swig of animal milk to put out the fire. This also came as a surprise, which, well, I suppose it shouldn’t have, given that the packaging is adorned with flames.

Conclusion:

While I’m not sure this is a new Everyday Dorito (see: Nacho Cheese, Spicy Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch), this is a great model to take out for the occasional weekend spin (Taco, Spicy Sweet Chili). You know, supposing its kept around for any length of time.

Purchased Price: $1.69
Size: 2.75 ounce bag
Purchased at: QuikTrip
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Per Bag) 400 calories, 20 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 510 milligrams of sodium, 48 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of dietary fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Smartfood Caramel & Cinnamon Apple Mix Popcorn

Marvo 3 Comments

Smartfood Caramel Cinnamon Apple Mix

What is Smartfood Caramel & Cinnamon Apple Mix Popcorn?

It’s a new seasonal mix that combines caramel popcorn with cinnamon apple-flavored popcorn. While the cinnamon apple is a new flavor, the caramel one can be found in Smartfood’s Caramel & Cheddar Mix Popcorn. According to the folks at Frito-Lay, it’ll be available during the fall and winter months.

How is it?

Well, it depends on how you eat it. Much like Smartfood’s Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries Popcorn Mix that came out during the summer, I had to be mindful of what I pulled out of the bag.

Smartfood Caramel Cinnamon Apple Mix Closeup

There are two types of pieces — lightly seasoned apple cinnamon kernels and heavily coated caramel kernels. Visually, the ratio looks like it’s two apple cinnamon kernels for every one caramel.

Although there are more of them, try to avoid eating only the apple cinnamon pieces because their flavor is too faint. They’re so unsatisfying that if someone gave me a bag of only those kernels, I’d hand the bag back to them, remove them from my holiday card list forever, block them on Facebook, and spurn any future greetings from them in public.

However, when eaten with the caramel-coated popcorn, the apple cinnamon flavor is exponentially better, making it hard to put down the bag. There’s some seasoning on the confection coated pieces, but they’re there because they happen to share the same bag with the other. There’s also a pleasant butteriness that makes my mind think pie crust. So, yes, this tastes like apple pie-flavored popcorn.

Anything else you need to know?

If you ever wanted to huff an apple pie, but couldn’t because of the logistics of it, this bag will help you accomplish that. It smells so wonderful that the scent should be available as a candle because strapping this bag to my face using binder clips and a rubber band is probably not safe.

Along with this seven-ounce bag with a $3.99 suggested retail price, there’s also a two-ounce bag with a $1.89 suggested retail price. But don’t mess around with the smaller one. Go for the bigger bag. Your mouth won’t regret it.

Conclusion:

I love Smartfood’s Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries Popcorn Mix, but I love this Caramel & Cinnamon Apple Mix more. I’m disappointed it’s seasonal. But since it tastes like apple pie, it could come back during the Fourth of July-apple pie season.

DISCLOSURE: I received free samples of the product. Thanks, Frito-Lay! Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 7 oz bag
Purchased at: Received from Frito-Lay
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 1/2 cups) 140 calories, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 105 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.