Snack brands discontinuing your favorite flavor can leave you feeling like you’ll never find anything comparable. Lay’s is one brand that has released flavors people love only to discontinue them later.
These flavors, many stemming from Lay’s “Do Us a Flavor” promotion, still have a dedicated following, with many fans craving a comeback. The contest involved customers recommending unique ideas for creation, with the person who suggested the winning flavor receiving one million dollars.
Combing through the Lays archives, we came across many flavors of chips that have long since disappeared from store shelves. Here are the top flavors Lays fans miss the most.
1. Wavy Fried Green Tomato
This flavor was never intended to stick around since it was a limited edition, but that doesn’t stop fans from being disappointed. Lay’s used tomato powder, brown sugar, onion and garlic powders, paprika, and other seasoning for a nice balance.
These flavors were paired with a brown batter buttermilk flavor with some zest added in. We need this chip back because the flavor complexity and uniqueness are incomparable.
2. Pico de Gallo
While fans mostly agree that these chips don’t actually taste like pico de gallo, they were still a favorite chip flavor. The standout flavor in this limited edition chip was tomato powder with hints of lime, onion, garlic, and sour cream.
Cilantro was missing from the pico de gallo flavor, although some fans said it was present in the aftertaste. Sour cream was a confusing addition, which isn’t in real pico de gallo, and it seemed to be missing a spicy kick. Regardless, fans haven’t forgotten them or their delicious flavor.
3. Crispy Taco
Lay’s created a Crispy Taco flavor in 2017, and the delicacy surprised customers. This flavor was one of the three finalists, wowing fans with the similarity to beef tacos.
Not only did they have taco seasoning flavors, but they also contained hints of lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and beef. Since other taco-flavored snacks don’t pick up on the flavors of the toppings, Lay’s version is incomparable.
4. Garden Tomato and Basil
This discontinued favorite blended tomato and basil seasoning with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika extract, sun-dried tomato, and sour cream. The flavor combination was savory and light, making them a quick favorite.
They were the perfect snack or side for a sandwich before they were discontinued. Lay’s fans would be ecstatic to see them return to grocery store shelves.
5. Wavy Milk Chocolate
Lay’s gave potato chip lovers a Valentine’s Day gift in 2021 when they released their original flavor covered in milk chocolate. The perfect mix of salty and sweet won people over, leaving us wanting more when they discontinued them.
While you could try to make your own, nothing compares to the ones released by Lay’s. Since fans still haven’t forgotten these chips and continue talking about them, we need them back.
6. Chicken and Waffles
Lay’s nailed the flavor combination of chicken and waffles, amazing fans before discontinuing them. These chips are thicker than the original Lay’s, which made them crunchy like you’d find with chicken breading. They have a maple syrup flavor followed by the taste of fried chicken batter.
Plus, hints of garlic and onion bring a subtle chicken flavor, similar to what you taste in the real dish because of the other intense flavors. With this level of deliciousness, there’s no denying we need this Lay’s flavor back.
7. Wavy Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt
This Lay’s flavor blended buttery roasted garlic and sea salt. Fans loved that they aren’t so salty you need a cup of water when eating them, unlike similar flavored chips.
These chips also had some spice, packing a bit of a subtle heat. They were crunchy with wide ridges, so they were also great for dipping.
8. Greektown Gyro
If you’ve had a gyro before, you’d have noticed that these chips accurately had the fresh taste of veggies and herbs. Plus, they had the tang you get from the sauce on the real food.
Pepper, chili powder, cumin, and garlic further contributed to the bold flavor of Lay’s Greektown Gyro chips. These fan favorites are a flavor Lay’s should bring back right away.
9. Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger
Lay’s Wasabi Ginger chips were a unique creation in the 2014 “Do Us a Flavor” contest. These were a fan favorite because of the mixed flavors of wasabi and ginger without the overwhelming spice generally accompanying wasabi.
Another taste that fans noticed (and loved) in this flavor was soy sauce. With the perfect mix of spicy, savory, sweet, and salty, this flavor is one we need Lay’s to bring back.
10. West Coast Truffle Fries
This Lay’s flavor from the 2015 “Do Us a Flavor” promotion brought together hints of Parmesan cheese, oil, and garlic. They’re full of flavor but not overbearing on the truffle taste, which fans were thankful for as it can overpower other flavors.
Fans loved them and need these back because they closely compare to real West Coast truffle fries. This snack is the way to go when you want the taste of truffle fries.
11. New York Reuben
The New York Reuben-flavored Lay’s chips had an intense Thousand Island dressing flavor with a light mix of sour kraut. It also tastes of rye bread, dill pickle, and a little spice at the end.
These flavors mixed truly mimic a traditional Reuben sandwich. With this unique chip flavor, fans would be ecstatic to see them again.
12. Southern Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy are a traditional favorite breakfast food, especially when looking for comfort food. Lay’s turned it into a chip flavor in 2015, and people loved it until it got discontinued.
Fans say these chips have a pepper flavor mixed with a creamy or buttery flavor. Whether or not you think they taste like the traditional dish, Lay’s should bring this delicious flavor back.
13. Deep Dish Pizza
Lay’s deep-dish pizza flavor quickly became a fan favorite because it mimicked the taste of pizza so closely. From the tomato and cheese to the crust flavor, Lay’s nailed this limited-time release.
This flavor also had hints of garlic and onion, setting it apart from other options. The cheesy deliciousness has fans wanting it back ASAP.
