![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Cheetos-Crunchy-Flamin-Hot-Chipotle-Ranch.jpg?resize=550%2C750\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which I refer to endearingly as OG Hot Cheetos, and I go way back. Almost three decades ago, its street cred and my love for them was established. They were basically the currency of my elementary school days – traded in snack-size Ziploc bags for durables like shakeable Dr. Grip mechanical pencils (very cool back then too). <\/p>\n
Of course, my enterprising after-school institution caught on. They sold \u201cindividual packs\u201d to us crazed hooligans for 25 cents. Adult me is pretty sure that those one-ounce packs were the kind you buy in a variety pack labeled \u201cnot for individual sale.\u201d Point is – the OG trusty, just-enough-heat deliciousness has never failed me.<\/p>\n
So when the new Cheetos Crunchy Flamin\u2019 Hot Chipotle Ranch hit shelves, I thought, \u201cIf it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!\u201d However, I went in with little to no expectations because I wasn\u2019t quite sure what chipotle ranch was supposed to taste like dusted on a \u201ccheese-flavored snack.\u201d To me, it sounded more like a dipping sauce or something over-slathered on a sad sandwich. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Cheetos-Crunchy-Flamin-Hot-Chipotle-Ranch-2.jpg?resize=550%2C734\")
<\/p>\n
There was no shock value when I opened the bag because they looked like the same ol\u2019 same ol\u2019. When examined closely, I saw more flecks of seasoning so it looked slightly redder, but that was about it. What did shock me was the BBQ-esque smell coming from the bag. I rationalized that chipotle was supposed to evoke a smokier connotation, which could be similar to BBQ. I also couldn\u2019t un-smell Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists. <\/p>\n
Even as I took my first crunch, the more pronounced corn flavor totally reminded me of said Fritos. The initial corn note evolved into a whisper of ranch – thank goodness, the last thing I wanted was cool ranch-esque flavoring – that was rounded out by a slight smokiness from the chipotle, and ended with heat. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Cheetos-Crunchy-Flamin-Hot-Chipotle-Ranch-3.jpg?resize=640%2C367\")
<\/p>\n
I will say that it wasn\u2019t spicy as the OG. The ranch seems to dampen the heat, but I was okay with that because it didn\u2019t completely kill the burn. The diminished heat actually allowed me to shovel them into my mouth at a quicker pace. There was definitely still an undeniable addictiveness. But it was a mind-trip the entire time like when I ate a deconstructed Caesar salad at some hoity-toity restaurant. It tasted like Caesar salad but the form looked nothing like it. But in this case, I was tasting Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists but seeing Flamin\u2019 Hot Cheetos.<\/p>\n
Just to make sure, I did a taste-off between the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chipotle Ranch and Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists. They definitely smelled similar, but said Fritos tasted way more pungently BBQ, sweeter from the honey, and weren\u2019t spicy at all. So there\u2019s definitely a difference.<\/p>\n
If you put a bag of Flamin\u2019 Hot Cheetos in front of me, I\u2019m going to eat them no matter what flavor. But, if I had a choice, I\u2019d stick to the OG. <\/p>\n
(Nutrition Facts – about 21 pieces – 170 calories, 11 grams total fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of dietary fiber, less than 1 gram sugar, and 2 grams of protein.)<\/small><\/p>\n
Purchased Price:<\/b> $3.00
\nSize:<\/b> 8.5 oz. bag
\nPurchased at:<\/b> Target
\nRating:<\/b> 8 out of 10
\nPros:<\/b> Still have an addictive quality. Diminished heat allowed me to shovel Cheetos into my mouth at a quicker pace. Not exactly like Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists. Complex flavor journey – giving R&D props!
\nCons:<\/b> OG Flamin\u2019 Hot Cheetos still taste better. Tasting Fritos but seeing Cheetos. Lots of justification needed for the flavor nuances, like why it\u2019s less spicy, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which I refer to endearingly as OG Hot Cheetos, and I go way back. Almost three decades ago, its street cred and my love for them was established. They were basically the currency of my elementary school days – traded in snack-size Ziploc bags for durables like shakeable Dr. Grip mechanical pencils […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1440],"tags":[1535,1474,1594],"class_list":["post-23090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-cheetos","tag-chips","tag-frito-lay"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22781,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2017\/06\/01\/spotted-on-shelves-cheetos-crunchy-flamin-hot-chipotle-ranch\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":0},"title":"SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Chipotle Ranch","author":"Marvo","date":"June 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"I thought this was the first flavored Cheetos Flamin' Hot, but a quick Google search proved me wrong. There's also a Cheetos Flamin' Hot Lim\u00f3n. (Spotted by Jeremy H at Winco.) If you\u2019re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cheetos Crunchy Flamin Hot Chipotle Ranch","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Cheetos-Crunchy-Flamin-Hot-Chipotle-Ranch.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47973,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2021\/08\/25\/not-food-cheetos-flamin-hot-costumes\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":1},"title":"NOT FOOD: Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Costumes","author":"Marvo","date":"August 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Looking at that Flamin' Hot Cheetos Bag costume makes me want a Flamin' Hot Cheetos pillowcase. Actually, I'd love a Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream pillowcase. (Spotted by Robbie at Spirit Halloween.)","rel":"","context":"In "NOT FOOD"","block_context":{"text":"NOT FOOD","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/not-food\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/flaminhotcheetoscostume.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/flaminhotcheetoscostume.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/flaminhotcheetoscostume.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/flaminhotcheetoscostume.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/flaminhotcheetoscostume.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":74309,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2025\/12\/04\/spotted-simply-nkd-doritos-and-cheetos\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":2},"title":"SPOTTED: Simply NKD Doritos and Cheetos","author":"Marvo","date":"December 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"While it's weird to see all these without dyes, it's especially odd to see Flamin' Hot Cheetos not look like ominous Flamin' Hot Cheetos. (Spotted by Dan at Walmart.) If you\u2019re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mkdcheet.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mkdcheet.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mkdcheet.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mkdcheet.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mkdcheet.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54609,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2023\/01\/17\/cheetos-flamin-hot-tangy-chili-fusion-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":3},"title":"REVIEW: Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Tangy Chili Fusion","author":"Sean","date":"January 17, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m not sure if this is true in every region or state, but in the Bay Area of California, Flamin\u2019 Hot Cheetos reign supreme. I would imagine it\u2019s the same in at least Los Angeles, San Diego, and most of Texas, where the youth get adapted to heat seeking at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cheefhtangychilifus1-600x600.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cheefhtangychilifus1-600x600.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cheefhtangychilifus1-600x600.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68245,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2025\/02\/26\/cheetos-crunchy-flamin-hot-dill-pickle-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":4},"title":"REVIEW: Cheetos Crunchy Flamin\u2019 Hot Dill Pickle","author":"Ann","date":"February 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"There are pickle-flavored things EVERYWHERE. In the same way that the early 2000s brought us bacon-flavored everything, it seems we\u2019re in the middle of a pickle-flavored time period. Perhaps capitalizing on the TikTok trend of dipping a pickle into cream cheese and Flamin\u2019 Hot Cheetos, Frito Lay has recently launched\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/chfhdillpick1-600x600.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/chfhdillpick1-600x600.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/chfhdillpick1-600x600.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":67804,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2025\/02\/10\/spotted-cheetos-crunchy-flamin-hot-dill-pickle\/","url_meta":{"origin":23090,"position":5},"title":"SPOTTED: Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle","author":"Marvo","date":"February 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"It ain't easy being pickle-y. 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