when were hot cheetos invented

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Nature

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were developed around 1989–1990 and rolled out nationally in 1992.

Key dates

  • Product development for the spicy “Flamin’ Hot” flavor at Frito-Lay began in 1989 as part of an internal project.
  • Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were tested in select markets around 1990–1991.
  • They became available across the United States in 1992, which is generally cited as their official national introduction date.

Original vs. Flamin’ Hot

Product| Type| Intro year
---|---|---
Original Crunchy Cheetos| Cheese puff snack| 1948 19
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos| Spicy variant| 1992 19