Off Brand Doritos: 9 Snacks You Must Try
When you think of a spicy, flavorful snack, I bet Doritos are among the first three things that you think of. Coming in many varieties tasting differently yet retaining that magic that makes them recognizable, Doritos are definitely known worldwide. However, in addition to Doritos, there are some off-brand snacks that will do nicely as the substitute.
Some of the off-brand Doritos are Paqui Mucho Nacho Cheese, Quest Tortilla Style Protein Chips, Mission Rounds Tortilla Chips, Hilo Life Tortilla Chip, Late July Cheese Chips, Tostitos Tortilla Chips, On The Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips, Takis tortilla chips, and AriZona Nachos & Chips.
Although you can never replace a classic like Doritos, still the snacks that I’m about to talk about here are worth giving a chance. Here are my whys.
List of Off Brand Doritos
It wasn’t an easy task since there’s an entire sea of Doritos-like snacks, some better than the next one, and some not even worth mentioning. In that endless selection of products, it was very hard not to mention a million, but luckily, I had it narrowed down to nine to make your job easier.
Paqui Mucho Nacho Cheese Spicy Tortilla Chips
Although there have been some complaints about the packaging, there haven’t been any negative experiences with the taste. Paqui Mucho Nacho Cheese Spicy Tortilla Chips are also available on Amazon and come in five different flavors-Haunted Ghost Pepper, Fiery Chili Lemon, Zesty Salsa Verde, Mucho Nacho Cheese, Jalapeno Tropicale.
It made its way to this list because its taste is original and very satisfying. However, its shelf life is only a month, so you need to have that in mind if you make a bulk order.
Quest Tortilla Style Protein Chips
This will be a great solution if you are watching your carb intake. This is a carbless protein chip containing significant amounts of dairy. Quest Tortilla Style Protein Chips also come in several flavors- Chili Lime, Nacho, and Loaded Taco.
Still, I must mention that because it’s carbless, some describe its structure as chalky and not enough crunchy, but many describe it as the perfect corn chips substitute. I decided to add it to this list because it tastes great, has a good amount of protein, and I like its crunchy chalkiness.
Hilo Life Low Carb Keto Friendly Tortilla Chip
Another great low-carb solution that will give you that well-known chips-induced kick. Coming to you in no less than six flavors, Hilo Life Low Carb Keto Friendly Tortilla Chip certainly offers a lot of variety.
Choosing from the Nacho Cheese, Chili Lime, Ranch, Spicy Nacho, Spicy Salsa, or Taco version, you will definitely find one that is suitable for your palate. Crunchy as advertised, this brand of chips will definitely spice up your day.
Mission Rounds Tortilla Chips
Gluten-free and kosher, these snacks are definitely as healthy as they are satisfying. Mission Rounds Tortilla Chips come in four versions- Strips Tortilla Chips, Thin & Crispy Tortilla Chips, Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, and Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips.
Not too strong-tasting, but not too mild either; these chips are great to pair with dipping sauces or melted cheeses, as they will not dominate the flavor but will significantly enhance it.
LATE JULY Snacks Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
The nacho cheese tortilla chips are only one of the six tortilla chips flavors this brand offers. The remaining variants of the Late July Tortilla Chips are Halpeno and Lime, Multigrain and Sea Salt, Sea Salt Dippers, Sea Salt and Lime, and Garden Ranch.
Still, the milk they contain has been indicated as an allergen, so you might want to go another way if you have any milk or dairy intolerances or allergies. Other than that, there’s nothing else to worry about.
Tostitos Bite-Sized Rounds Tortilla Chips
I don’t know what’s up with bite-sized snacks, but I love them. Tiny and cute, these round tortilla chips are incredibly satisfying to nibble on. But be warned, you won’t be able to stop until you’ve finished the entire pack.
Luckily, they are gluten-free if that means something to you.
You can also order them as a package deal with Tostitos dipping sauce, but there have been some remarks about the sauce not being enough or it spilling during shipping. Although that probably won’t be the case with you, still have this in mind if you order the combo.
On The Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips
Gluten-free and vegan-friendly, these chips don’t contain any specified allergens, making them a very safe snack. As a vegan snack, On the Border Café Style Tortilla Chips have been described as somewhat bland, but when combined with zingy dipping sauce, they turn into a superstar.
They have secured their place on this list because they are definitely worth a try, especially for the lovers of milder yet satisfying taste lovers.
Takis Fuego Rolled Tortilla Chips
Fuego indeed! These fiery rolled tortilla chips are even hotter than described, so if you are a fan of spicy and hot food, this is the right choice. Strong-favored and even more strongly-aromatized, you can taste Takis Fuego Rolled Tortilla Chips even before actually tasting them.
Be warned that this snack isn’t for everybody, so if you dare to try it, be prepared for watery eyes and a runny nose. To handle the hotness and spiciness better, try combining them with some mild-tasting dipping sauce. Oh, and also be prepared to get a bigger bad than expected.
Arizona Combo Tray Nachos
Although last on our list, Arizona Combo Tray Nachos are definitely not to be underestimated. If you are a fan of the classic nacho chip, this will be the perfect solution for you. Although some describe the Arizona Combo Tray Nachos as bland or stale, it has nothing to do with the chips themselves but more with the time the bag spent in the warehouse.
When fresh, these chips are flavorful, crunchy, and incredibly satisfying. Definitely worth a try, at the very least.
What Is the Stuff in Doritos that Makes It Addicting?
Doritos contain lactic acid and citric acid. [1] These two acids trigger the secretion of saliva, which in turn makes us eat more and more.
Furthermore, Doritos contains buttermilk solids, which, when mixed with saliva, delivers even more lactic acid, which again triggers the secretion of the saliva, and on the circle goes.
The famous Dorito dust, which is a blend of spices, also plays a significant role here. Sticking on your fingers, making you lick them, triggers your saliva secretion, even more, making you want to eat all the Doritos in the world.
And last but certainly not least, Doritos contains a high-fat content, which gives you the impression that the chip melts in your mouth, which is all the more satisfying.
Are Nachos and Doritos the Same Thing?
Nachos and Doritos aren’t the same things. While nachos are tortilla chips covered in cheese and jalapenos (optional), Doritos is the name of a tortilla chips brand.
People often think that nachos and Doritos are the same because Doritos has a nacho-flavored chips variety.
Which Is Better, Off Brand Doritos or Doritos?
Since taste is a very personal thing and not up for discussion, this isn’t a simple question to answer. First of all, Doritos is a classic, known and loved by many. Still, not everyone enjoys these snacks.
Among the off-brand Doritos, some brands are just as good but not so famous yet. So some people consider them their favorite.
However, what makes Doritos unique is the fatty surface, covered with the famous Dorito dust, which to this day, no other brand has been able to copy.
Therefore, we must give Doritos a special place, but that doesn’t mean that we should disregard the Off Brand Doritos just because they aren’t Doritos.
It is best to give them a try and make the final conclusion yourself.
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.