11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (2024)

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    11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Jan. 23, 2022

      Crispy, crunchy and covered in an irresistible neon orange powder, Doritos are one of America's favorite snacks. Find out some surprising facts about these tasty triangles here.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (2)Shutterstock (2)

      They were invented at Disneyland

      Legend has it, we have Mickey Mouse to thank for these crispy treats, according to BusinessInsider. Doritos’ parent company, Frito-Lay, operated a restaurant named Casa de Fritos inside the park in the1960s. When a salesman noticed that Casa de Fritos was throwing away stale tortillas, he suggested they fry them for chips instead. When marketing executive Arch West saw this, he loved the idea and convinced Frito-Lay to start selling the chips nationally in 1966. Celebrate the Dorito with these 14 recipes that make the most of your favorite chip.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (3)Shutterstock (2)

      Doritos means “little golden things” in Spanish

      Well, kind of. While the name has been said to mean “little golden things” by Frito-Lay executives, it doesn’t actually translate that way. Instead, the name was made up by Arch West, who decided to combine theSpanish word for gold, “oro,” with Frito’s suffix “-ito”and tacked a “D” in front because he felt like it. Theresulting Doritos was approved and it’s been thename of these tortilla chips ever since. Heads up! Here are 20 food names you may be mispronouncing.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (4)Shutterstock (2)

      The first Doritos weren’t flavored

      Originally marketed as a standard, salted tortilla chip, the Doritos sold in 1966 were without their now-iconicneon orange cheese powder. It wasn’t until the next year that Doritos sold their first flavored chip, which was dusted in taco seasonings. Here’s how to make your own taco seasoning at home.

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      Nacho Cheese Doritos are almost 50 years old

      First released in 1974, Nacho Cheese Doritos consist of three main flavors:Romano cheese, garlic powder and salt. The bright, cheesy chip quickly became a favorite of consumers and now accounts for half of Doritos’ sales.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (6)via doritos.com

      There are some wild flavors

      There have been well over 100 different flavors. These range from classic, like Spicy Nacho and Cool Ranch, to wacky with flavors like Late-Night Cheeseburger, Ranch-Dipped Chicken Wings and Mountain Dew. If you’re traveling abroad, be sure to check out Olive, Yogurt and Mint or Clam Chowder flavored Doritos.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (7)via doritos.com

      You won’t find Cool Ranch Doritos abroad

      At least they won’t be called Cool Ranch. In countries where ranch dressing isn’t a common condiment, like parts of Europe, these Doritos are called “Cool American” or “Cool Original.”

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (8)Shutterstock (2)

      They’ve had a major makeover

      In 1994, Frito-Lay spent $50 million—the most in the country’s history—to revamp their most popular product, according to The New York Times. The overhaul included market research with chip eaters and grocery stores. The result? Doritos that have rounded corners, more seasoningand were 15% thinner and 20% longer.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (9)via doritos.com & Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock

      The Super Bowl is a big deal

      Doritos has spent some major dough on their Super Bowl commercials for years. In 2007, they changed the game by introducing the “Crash the Super Bowl” contest which challenged fans to create a Doritos ad for the chance to win $100,000 and attend the big game. The competition ran for nine years, with two fan-made commercials earning the highest number of views of all Super Bowl ads, according to theUSA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter.

      Don’t miss our 100 best Super Bowl party food ideas.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (10)Shutterstock (2)

      Doritos have been to space

      When theEISCATSpace Center in Svalbard, Norway, was short on research funds in 2008, they turned to advertisers. In exchange for the necessary funding, the Space Center broadcasted a 30-second Doritos commercial to the star 47 Ursae Majoris, which is about 46 light-years from Earth.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (11)Shutterstock (2)

      They’ve also been to the grave

      In 2011, the marketing executive credited with bringing Doritos to the country, Arch West, passed away at age 97. Since he was an avid lover of Doritos, and was involved with taste-testing new flavors up until a month before he passed, West’s family members sprinkled Doritos on his urn before burial.

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      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (12)Shutterstock (2)

      Doritos can help with a campfire

      Get to your campsite and realize you forgot kindling? Just pull out a bag of Doritos. According to Reddit, Doritos’ high oil and carb content catches a flame quickly and easily, making the chip a solid kindling option when you’re in a pinch. Next, check out the things you never knew about McDonald’s Big Mac.

      Originally Published: January 30, 2019

      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (13)

      As Editor, Caroline writes and edits all things food-related and helps produce videos for Taste of Home. When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Caroline cooking up a feast, planning her next trip abroad or daydreaming about her golden retriever, Mac.

      11 Things You Didn’t Know About Doritos (2024)

      FAQs

      What is unique about Doritos? ›

      Doritos were the first tortilla chip to be sold nationwide. If it weren't for Doritos, tortilla chips wouldn't be at the forefront of all snack foods. These cheesy triangles were the first tortilla chips to be nationally released for mass production.

      What is the oldest Doritos flavor? ›

      The original Doritos were not flavored. The first flavor was Toasted Corn, released in 1966, followed by Taco in 1967 and Nacho Cheese in 1972. Other specialty flavors began to make their debut during the late 1980s. The concept for Doritos originated in a restaurant at Disneyland.

      What does Doritos stand for? ›

      Doritos means “l*ttle golden things” in Spanish

      Instead, the name was made up by Arch West, who decided to combine the Spanish word for gold, “oro,” with Frito's suffix “-ito” and tacked a “D” in front because he felt like it. The resulting Doritos was approved and it's been the name of these tortilla chips ever since.

      Which Doritos are girlfriends? ›

      Simply Organic White Cheddar Flavored Tortilla Chips are the only Doritos chip products with a gluten-free label. All others have the risk of cross-contamination with other products that contain gluten, so they cannot be included on the official Frito Lay list of gluten-free Doritos.

      Why is Doritos so addictive? ›

      "A bite of Doritos starts with a crunch but quickly dissolves in your mouth. This is a phenomenon known as "caloric density vanishing”. Feeling food “disappear in your mouth” signals to the brain that you “need” more.

      What is the spiciest dorito ever? ›

      Flamin' Hot Cool Ranch

      These are even spicier than the bag of Flamas, which is hard to believe because cool ranch implies some sort of cooling effect. Not here though—this bag of chips is a full-on oxymoron. The heat from the Flamin' Hot dust pervades everything, yet I can't stop reaching for another chip.

      Does Doritos make a Taco flavor? ›

      Amazon.com: Doritos Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips, 9.75 Ounce.

      What are the most expensive Doritos? ›

      How would you feel if you found a tortilla like this in your bag of Doritos? Most of us would just have eaten it and enjoyed the extra crunch, but not 13-year-old Australian, Rylee Stuart. She managed to make 20,000 Australian dollars by selling it back to the company!

      Are Doritos real potatoes? ›

      A quick glance at the ingredients lists suggests the two are on even footing: Doritos are made from whole corn, vegetable oil and salt, with no preservatives. Lay's are made from potatoes, vegetable oil and salt, also with no preservatives.

      What do British people call Doritos? ›

      AmE) convenience store in the video, the Doritos are crisps, but when referring to Doritos and the like on their own, BrE speakers often use the American import tortilla chips.

      Who is the human Dorito? ›

      Here you have Chris Evans, "The Human Dorito" eating Doritos from a bag of Doritos that he's on. What more could you ask for? And just so that you know—Cool Ranch is Chris Evans' favorite flavor. This fad didn't just end with The Avengers.

      Does Doritos support LGBT? ›

      "With Doritos Rainbows chips, we're bringing an entirely new product experience to our consumers to show our commitment toward equal rights for the LGBT community and celebrate humanity without exception."

      Do Rainbow Doritos exist? ›

      They were actually introduced back in 2015 in collaboration with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization that supports the LGBTQ+ youth community. According to Bustle, "Doritos Rainbows" were a limited edition item given only to those who donated $10 or more to the It Gets Better Project's website.

      Do Doritos have milk in them? ›

      Nearly every variety of Doritos contains dairy products, including cheese, milk, and butter. Additionally, the Salsa Verde (which is dairy-free) and Flamas Doritos varieties include animal-derived flavors.

      What is the mystery Dorito flavors? ›

      The flavors are, in order of popularity: Spicy Street Taco (red bag), Chocolate Chipotle Bacon (blue bag) and Caribbean Citrus Jerk (orange bag). Spicy Street Taco was voted the most popular of the three flavors on BoldFlavorExperiment.com combining the flavor combo of Sriracha, taco spice, and sour cream.

      Is there a purple Dorito? ›

      Spicy Sweet Chili purple Doritos are vegan. They were released in April 2008 during the Super Bowl and were once recalled for undeclared milk by the FDA which meant they were not vegan and posed harm for people with milk allergies and sensitivities. Most Doritos flavors contain milk or chicken based ingredients.

      Did they discontinue purple Doritos? ›

      No, spicy Doritos are not discontinued.

      What is Dorito dust made of? ›

      For Nacho Cheese: Mix together 5 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. For Cool Ranch: Same as above, but this time, add 1/2 tsp of ground chipotle powder and 1/2 tsp red-pepper flakes. Sprinkle over anything. Anything.

      Why can't I stop eating Doritos? ›

      Doritos are designed to be addictive

      But the truth is, Doritos are made with addictive ingredients such as sugar, salt, and a chemical flavor enhancer, better known as Monosodium glutamate (MSG). Doritos also contain acids, which cause a release of saliva and trigger the urge to eat.

      Do black Doritos exist? ›

      A snack vampires will definitely not enjoy.

      Now Doritos is introducing a black-hued version of its popular chips — they are actually garlic-flavored.

      Are spicy Doritos girlfriends? ›

      Doritos aren't considered gluten-free by Frito-Lay because there's a chance of cross-contamination with wheat during the production process.

      Are purple Doritos girlfriends? ›

      Doritos do not appear to contain any gluten ingredients. The only Doritos variety that is labeled gluten free is the Simply Organic White Cheddar-flavored Doritos.

      Are Doritos in Mexico different? ›

      It manufactures and markets several brands such as Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Fritos, Crujitos, Poffets, Rancheritos and Sabritones. The ingredients are the same when compared to chips from the U.S. but the taste seems stronger and the consistency of the chips are crunchier when bought from Mexico.

      Why do Doritos taste so good? ›

      The chips have the powerful savory flavor known as umami, and also what Mr. Witherly calls “long hang-time flavors” like garlic that create a lingering smell that stimulates memories. The recipe balances these powerful tastes so well that no single flavor overpowers and lingers in the mind after you've eaten a chip.

      Does Doritos have a BBQ flavor? ›

      Doritos Bold BBQ Tortilla Chips, 255g/9oz., 3-Pack {Imported from Canada}Doritos Bold BBQ Tortilla Chips, 255g/9oz., 3-Pack {Imported f…

      How big is the biggest Dorito? ›

      Here's How to Get Them. Restricting yourself to eating just one Dorito just got a little easier.

      Why are Dorito bags half empty? ›

      Indeed, this “slack fill” is purposefully added to chip bags by snack manufacturers in order to act as a sort of cushion around potato chips and other delicate products. The top half (or two-thirds) of the bag is pumped full of gas before it's sealed.

      Why are Dorito bags so empty? ›

      In the manufacturing industry, “slack fill” is empty space that's intentionally placed around a product. The idea is that the extra room can as a buffer to protect your Lays, Ruffles or Tostitos from damage. The trip from the production facility to your office's vending machine can be quite bumpy!

      Are pickle Doritos real? ›

      Prior to their American release, pickle-flavored Doritos were available in Canada and a handful of other countries, though they were called Intense Pickle Doritos instead.

      Is Doritos Baked or fried? ›

      First we bake the triangles and then fry them. Last but not least is the flavor. Here each triangle gets a dash of salt or special spice and officially becomes a Dorito!

      Do Doritos have milk or eggs? ›

      They contain ingredients like cheese, milk, buttermilk, whey, and other milk-based ingredients. The non-vegan flavors include the two classics: Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch. Other non-vegan flavors of Doritos include Taco, Salsa Verde, and Spicy Nacho, to name a few more common flavors.

      What are Mexican Doritos called? ›

      Mexican Doritos. Chicharrones de Harina are also labeled Duros, Duritos, Mexican Wagon Wheels, or Mexican Wheat Snacks. You can find them in the Latin aisle of most grocery stores or in Latin markets. The chicharrones dough has salt already added so I didn't add it to the spice mix.

      What do Americans call fries? ›

      In the US these are “French Fries”, or often just “fries”.

      What are chips called in Australia? ›

      Definition. In Australia, chips can refer to 'hot' chips; fried strips of potato. Chips also refer to what are known in other countries as crisps.

      Who was the original Doritos girl? ›

      Ali Landry is an actress, model, pageant queen, and business owner—but chances are if you lived through the '90s, you remember her best as "the Doritos Girl." After becoming a household name in 1996 for winning the Miss USA beauty pageant, Landry was tapped to star in a series of now-iconic commercials for the chip ...

      Where is the Doritos girl now? ›

      She has continued acting and hosting.

      Additionally, she has hosted the TV Guide Network show Hollywood Moms' Club, as well as Hollywood Today Live. She appeared on several episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and has shared with People that she has "talked" with producers about formally joining the cast.

      Who owns Doritos now? ›

      PepsiCo generated $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream.

      Does Doritos have a slogan? ›

      The global Doritos slogan is 'For the Bold', this because it focuses on a very young target group (16-24-year-olds).

      Why did Doritos choose their logo? ›

      According to the company, the rebrand was intended to highlight one of the most unique differentiating factors of the tortilla chips created by Doritos – their triangular shape.

      What celebrity only eats the seasoning off Doritos? ›

      Model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen is just like you: she loves Doritos. Only she eats them in the most bizarre way. In an interview with Delish, Teigen told us that she licks the seasoning off of each chip, then puts them back in the bag.

      Do Doritos have fake dyes? ›

      More On: food safety

      The additive, denoted as Red 40 or Allura red on ingredients label, is the most prevalent dye used in many popular snacks and drinks, including Skittles, Doritos and Pepsi, as well as some cosmetics.

      Do 3D Doritos still exist? ›

      Doritos 3D Crunch snacks are still available.

      Is Doritos removing their logo? ›

      The snack food brand plans to ditch its logo, replacing it with a recognizable triangle shape superimposed by the words; “Logo Goes Here” across it's above the line, packaging and social channels.

      Do Doritos have animal products? ›

      Unfortunately, the Nacho Cheese Doritos are not vegan. This product contains several dairy ingredients, including cheddar cheese, whey, buttermilk powder, Romano cheese, lactose, milk protein concentrate, milk powder, and skim milk.

      Which Dorito is vegan? ›

      Doritos mild and hot salsa are both completely vegan friendly, with no mention of being made in the same milk handling factory. So even the most stringent vegan can still have Doritos dip. Just stay away from Nacho Cheese and Cool Sour Cream and Chives, for obvious reasons!

      Are Doritos tested on animals? ›

      Doritos contain artificial colors, which do not come from animals, but they are sometimes tested on animals. Again, this is something that some vegans are okay with, while some vegans strictly avoid any food that contains artificial colors.

      How are Mexican Doritos different? ›

      Here's an example on Amazon for Doritos, which the seller describes as “a more intense, concentrated, and distinct cheese and jalapeño flavor than our domestic version in the United States.”

      Why is Doritos so successful? ›

      The use of celebrities in the Doritos commercials made them memorable and exciting, and as a result, millions of consumers talked about the ads online. Doritos' success comes from its ability to create, rather than follow, marketing trends.

      What is Doritos brand personality? ›

      Brand Values

      Doritos has a distinct personality within the Walkers family. Whilst the Walkers brand itself is seen as a down to earth, populist brand with family values, Doritos has a more adult personality -more daring, irreverent, and uninhibited.

      Why are Doritos bags empty? ›

      The reason you're looking at a bag half-full

      In the manufacturing industry, “slack fill” is empty space that's intentionally placed around a product. The idea is that the extra room can as a buffer to protect your Lays, Ruffles or Tostitos from damage.

      What flavor of Doritos are in Japan? ›

      Japan has special sesame chicken-flavored Doritos and they're certainly worth your money. The bag even pairs an appetizing photograph of perfectly prepared sesame chicken alongside a stout pint of beer.

      What Doritos taste like Takis? ›

      More Taki flavors? No, you're looking at an entirely separate snack product: Dinamita, which is made by Doritos, a competitor brand to Barcel's line of taquito-shaped chips.

      Is there an original Doritos flavor? ›

      The very first Doritos were sort of plain-flavored. American consumers found the chips kind of plain without sauce, so Frito-Lay gave them a sort of Mexican seasoning called “Taco” in 1968. What we think of as the “original” flavor, nacho cheese, debuted in 1974.

      How healthy are Doritos? ›

      When it comes to levels of sodium and fat in a small serving size, don't let your guard down—these chips can't satisfy any serious hunger and only provide empty calories. Doritos relatively large serving of saturated fat and total fat do nothing for your diet, and only prove to add excess nutritional waste to your day.

      What are the 3 main ingredients in Doritos? ›

      CORN, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER, CANOLA, AND/OR CORN OIL), MALTODEXTRIN (MADE FROM CORN), AND LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WHEY, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, BUTTERMILK, ROMANO CHEESE (PART-SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), ROMANO CHEESE (COW'S MILK ...

      Why is Doritos logo a triangle? ›

      A Triangle:

      Doritos first used it in the 1985 logo update. Since then, it has become an idolized shape for the food chain. Chiefly, the triangle represents the delicious chips the brand sells. In addition, a triangle signifies stability, trinity, and power.

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