Simply NKD vs Original Doritos & Cheetos: Blind Taste Test Results
- Tips Trove
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
When PepsiCo announced its new Simply NKD lineup of Doritos and Cheetos, I had one big question:
Would removing artificial dyes and flavors actually change the taste?
After all, some of these snacks have been around for decades. The bright orange Nacho Cheese Doritos and fiery red Flamin' Hot Cheetos are practically iconic.
To find out, I put the new Simply NKD versions head-to-head against the originals in a blind taste test.
The results were surprisingly close.
What Is Simply NKD?
The "NKD" stands for "Naked," referring to the fact that these snacks are made without artificial dyes or artificial flavors.
The initial lineup includes:
Simply NKD Doritos Nacho Cheese
Simply NKD Doritos Cool Ranch
Simply NKD Cheetos Puffs
Simply NKD Cheetos Flamin' Hot
Importantly, these are not replacements for the original products. PepsiCo has stated that the NKD line is intended as an additional option for consumers who prefer snacks without synthetic dyes and artificial flavors.
Are They Actually Healthier?
This is where things get interesting.
Many people see the white packaging and immediately assume these are "healthy" versions of Doritos and Cheetos.
That's not really the case.
When comparing nutrition labels, the calorie counts, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium
levels are generally very similar between the original and Simply NKD versions.
The biggest change is the ingredient list rather than the nutritional profile.
So while Simply NKD may appeal to people trying to avoid certain additives, they are still very much snack foods.
What Ingredients Changed?
The most obvious change is the removal of synthetic food dyes.
Depending on the flavor, the original products may contain dyes such as:
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Blue 1
These dyes are responsible for the bright orange, red, and blue coloring that many people associate with Doritos and Cheetos.
For example:
Original Nacho Cheese Doritos
Traditionally contains artificial colors such as:
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Red 40
Simply NKD Nacho Cheese Doritos
Instead uses ingredients such as:
Cheddar cheese
Romano cheese
Tomato powder
Garlic powder
Bell peppers
Natural flavors
Spices
No artificial dyes or artificial flavors are used.
The Less Obvious Changes
One of the more surprising discoveries is that some NKD products appear to remove additional flavor-enhancing ingredients commonly found in processed snack foods.
These may include:
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Disodium inosinate
Disodium guanylate
These ingredients are often used to boost savory or "umami" flavors. Some consumers who have compared ingredient labels have noted that their removal may contribute to subtle taste differences between NKD and original products.
This could help explain why some people notice small differences despite PepsiCo's efforts to keep the flavor profiles as close as possible.
Why Are Some People Concerned About Artificial Dyes?
The debate around food dyes has been ongoing for years.
Research has suggested that certain synthetic food dyes may contribute to behavioral changes in some children, including increased hyperactivity or attention-related issues.
However, the evidence is mixed, and not every child appears to be affected.
Artificial dyes have also faced increased regulatory scrutiny in recent years, leading to pressure from consumers, health advocates, and some government agencies to reduce their use in foods. Several states have considered restrictions or labeling requirements for products containing synthetic additives.
It's important to note that removing dyes does not automatically make a snack healthy. Many nutrition experts point out that factors such as excess sodium, saturated fat, and overall calorie intake generally have a larger impact on health outcomes than food coloring alone.
The Blind Taste Test
To keep things fair, I tried each snack blindfolded and without knowing whether I was eating the original or the Simply NKD version.
The four matchups were:
Doritos Nacho Cheese
Doritos Cool Ranch
Cheetos Puffs
Cheetos Flamin' Hot
My goal was simple:
Could I reliably tell which version was which?
In most cases, the answer was no.
The flavors were much closer than I expected.
Ranking the Similarity
After tasting all four varieties, here's how I would rank them from most similar to least similar:
1. Doritos Cool Ranch
The closest match of the entire group. If someone handed me these without showing the bag, I'd have a hard time telling them apart. Both have the signature zesty and tangy taste.
2. Cheetos Puffs
Very similar to the original. The signature cheesy flavor with the powdery, crunchy texture remained intact.
3. Cheetos Flamin' Hot
Still delivered the familiar heat and seasoning profile, although some subtle differences were noticeable. The original tasted tangier.
4. Doritos Nacho Cheese
The flavor was still recognizably Nacho Cheese Doritos, but this was the easiest one for me to distinguish from the original. The NKD version tasted more like the tortilla chip itself than the cheese.
Even then, the difference was much smaller than I expected going into the test.
Final Verdict: Are They Worth Buying?
For me, the answer is yes.
If you're specifically trying to avoid artificial dyes or artificial flavors, Simply NKD offers a compelling alternative without dramatically changing the taste experience.
What surprised me most was how flavorful these snacks remained despite their much plainer appearance.
Looking at the pale chips and puffs, I expected a noticeable drop-off in flavor.
That simply wasn't the case.
While none of the NKD versions tasted exactly identical to their original counterparts, the differences were generally subtle enough that many people may never notice.
If you're curious, they're definitely worth trying for yourself.
After all, taste is truth.
Watch the Full Blind Taste Test
Want to see how well I actually performed in the blind taste test?
Check out the full Tips Trove video where I compare every flavor side-by-side and reveal which versions were easiest—and hardest—to identify.
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