The newest flavors of the iconic snack include a “bright and electrifying” lime version.
It’s hard to think of a snack that’s more addictive than Takis. The rolled tortilla chips are known for bringing the heat with endless flavor combinations that make them a favorite of social media algorithms and Gen Z snackers alike.
But at a certain point, it seems, there are only so many types of spicy to explore, and the path of continued snack innovation must lead to a new flavor category where heat isn’t the selling point. Such is the case with one of the six new flavors of Takis that the brand recently released.
The new non-spicy Takis flavor, Xtreme Lime, follows in the footsteps of 2023’s Intense Nacho and 2024’s Buckin’ Ranch as one of the brand’s rare experiments with mildness. It has a very acidic, sour and zesty bite that’s quite different from the typical Takis flavor profile. But are non-spicy Takis actually as good as the traditional offering? And do they stand up to their spicier colleagues? I recently put the new flavors to the test to find out.
What are the new Takis flavors?
Here are the tasting notes from the full lineup of Takis flavors just released in stores:
- Xtreme Lime: Tangy, sour and citrus-forward.
- Smokin’ BBQ: Smoky, warm and slightly sweet.
- Crazy Buffalo: Creamy with a hint of vinegary heat.
- Pickle Punch: Briny, sharp and dill-forward.
- Hot Honey: That buzzy combo of sweet and heat.
- Jalapeno: Fiery, peppery, no holds barred.
Are the new non-spicy Takis good?
I structured my taste test by starting with the least spicy and working my way up to the most spicy, Hot Ones style. This meant that my first bite would be of Xtreme Lime, the brand’s newest non-spicy flavor.
I found the Xtreme Lime Takis to be extremely off-putting. While many of the existing Takis flavors are also lime-forward in their taste, they are typically combined with other flavors that balance out their acidity. That balance was missing in these Takis, and the “mild” branding is a bit misleading. Eating more than a couple of these would be like a Warheads candy experience in tortilla chip form.
Next, I tried the new Smokin’ BBQ Takis, another of the brand’s more mild new offerings. I’m usually a fan of barbecue-flavored foods, and I found these to be strangely addictive. They have a surprisingly complex taste featuring layers of smoke, a delicate heat, and a hint of a sweet acidic tomato flavor as well. These were one of my favorites of the entire test—but not quite in first place.
The Crazy Buffalo Takis promised a medium heat level, but I didn’t find them to be particularly spicy at all. They were, however, very snackable. I could easily see myself finishing a whole bag of them in no time without even realizing.
The other new Takis with an advertised medium heat level are the Pickle Punch Takis, which I found to be just OK. While they had that unmistakably tangy pickle flavor, I didn’t detect much spiciness.
Now for the “hot” Takis. First, I tried the Hot Honey Takis. Of course, hot honey is suddenly everywhere—and with good reason. The fusion of rich sweetness and deep heat is hard to deny, but these Takis just weren’t up to snuff. The honey flavor tasted so synthetic that it overpowered the heat element, turning the dial all the way to “sweet.”
Finally, the Jalapeno Takis offered that level of pure, clear, balanced heat that Takis are known for. As a lover of spicy food, I could snack on these all day long. These were my favorite of the six new flavors.
Where can I find the new Takis flavors?
Four of the new Takis flavors—Xtreme Lime, Smokin’ BBQ, Pickle Punch, and Jalapeno—are now available in stores nationwide. Crazy Buffalo Takis are being sold exclusively in Kroger stores, while Hot Honey Takis can only be found at Walmart. The new Takis are sold in both 3.25-ounce and 9.9-ounce bags.
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