Doritos Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese ignites crisp aisles

PepsiCo is set to turn up the heat in the UK snack category with the highly anticipated arrival of Doritos Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese.

After achieving record-breaking success in the US, the new variant officially lands on UK shelves this month, combining the brand’s iconic bold cheese flavour with its signature fiery kick.

The launch comes as spicy snack profiles continue to dominate the market, particularly among Gen Z consumers who prioritise adventurous and intense flavour experiences. Since the introduction of the broader Flamin’ Hot platform in the UK in 2024, the range has already generated a staggering £20 million in sales, according to Nielsen research.

Unlike previous iterations, Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese is a non-HFSS (high in fat, sugar, and salt) variant, designed to offer a more intense flavour profile by blending the spicy heat of the Flamin’ Hot range with the rich, savoury notes of traditional Nacho Cheese.

Lynn Grant, senior marketing manager at Doritos UK, noted that the launch is a direct response to consumer demand.

“Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese is a flavour fans have been asking us to bring to the UK for years, so we’re delighted to finally make it available to shoppers here,” says Grant. “It delivers the bold flavour Doritos is known for, with a level of heat that makes it a great option for shoppers who are curious about spice, as well as loyal Flamin’ Hot fans looking to try something new.”

PepsiCo is positioning the launch as a major growth driver for retailers, citing the variant’s status as the number one Flamin’ Hot performer in the US during its debut year. By offering both sharing and impulse formats, the brand aims to capture various shopper missions, from weekend “big nights in” to on-the-go snacking.

“For retailers, this launch builds on the continued success of the Flamin’ Hot range and the growing demand for spicy snacks,” Grant added. “With both sharing packs and PMP formats available, it offers a strong opportunity to drive sales across multiple shopper missions.”

The new flavour is rolling out nationwide across all retail channels in two key formats: 163g Sharing Bags: RRP £2.50; and a 70g Price-Marked Packs (PMP): RRP £1.35

With the eat-at-home economy continuing to thrive, Doritos expects the fusion of its two most popular sub-brands — Nacho Cheese and Flamin’ Hot — to become a permanent staple of the UK savoury snack aisle.