Home Certifiedscandal48

The $1 Million Chip: A Complete List Of Every Lay's Do Us A Flavor Winner, Including The 2025 Champion

• minute read
Contents

As of December 20, 2025, the legendary Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest has once again crowned a champion, solidifying its place as one of the most successful crowdsourced innovation initiatives in snack history. After a seven-year hiatus that left chip enthusiasts craving a new competition, the campaign made a monumental return in 2024, inviting fans to submit their dream potato chip flavor for a chance at a life-changing $1 million prize.

The latest flavor to join the exclusive lineup is the decadent Bacon Grilled Cheese, a savory mashup that captured the hearts—and taste buds—of America. This victory marks the continuation of a tradition that has repeatedly proven that the best flavor ideas often come straight from the snackers themselves, transforming everyday meals into crunchy, limited-edition sensations.

The Million-Dollar Flavors: A Complete List of US *Do Us A Flavor* Winners

The Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest, originally launched in the U.S. in 2012, is more than just a competition; it is a cultural phenomenon. It challenges consumers to think outside the box, turning regional dishes, comfort foods, and bold international tastes into commercial potato chip flavors. Each winner not only secures a spot on store shelves but also earns its creator a hefty $1 million grand prize.

Here is a definitive list of every flavor that has won the coveted title in the United States:

  • 2025 Winner: Bacon Grilled Cheese
    The newest champion, this flavor combines the smoky, salty taste of bacon with the creamy, sharp notes of a classic grilled cheese sandwich. It beat out two other bold finalists in the highly anticipated 2024-2025 return of the contest.
  • 2017 Winner: Crispy Taco
    Submitted by Ellen Sarem, the Crispy Taco flavor captured the essence of a crunchy, seasoned beef taco, complete with notes of cheese and a hint of spice. This flavor was the last winner before the contest's long break.
  • 2015 Winner: Southern Biscuits and Gravy
    Hailey Green's submission brought a taste of Southern comfort food to the snack aisle. This unique flavor aimed to replicate the rich, peppery taste of sausage gravy poured over a warm biscuit.
  • 2014 Winner: Kettle-Cooked Wasabi Ginger
    The first winner to feature the Lay's Kettle-Cooked chip style, this flavor offered a bold, complex profile. It balanced the fiery kick of wasabi with the sweet, aromatic warmth of ginger, appealing to a more adventurous palate.
  • 2012/2013 Winner: Cheesy Garlic Bread
    The inaugural winner of the U.S. contest, this flavor set the standard for comfort food inspiration. It successfully married the rich, buttery, and savory notes of freshly baked garlic bread with a strong cheese finish.

The 2024-2025 Comeback: How Lay's Reignited the Chip Craze

After a seven-year period of dormancy following the 2017 Crispy Taco win, Frito-Lay dusted off the "Do Us A Flavor" concept, proving that the appetite for crowdsourced innovation and a $1 million incentive remains strong. The 2024 contest saw over 700,000 unique flavor ideas poured in from consumers across the country, highlighting the power of fan challenge marketing.

The return of the contest was a massive success, generating significant buzz and social media engagement. Lay's narrowed the field down to three extraordinary finalists, which were released as limited-edition flavors for the public to try and vote on in late 2024 and early 2025.

Meet the 2025 Finalists That Almost Won

The competition for the grand prize was fierce, with the Bacon Grilled Cheese flavor emerging victorious over two equally creative and daring contenders. These finalists demonstrate the incredible range of culinary inspiration Lay's is willing to explore:

  • Valentina & Lime: Inspired by the popular Mexican hot sauce, this flavor delivered a tangy, spicy, and zesty kick. The combination of chili heat and bright citrus offered a vibrant, bold profile that resonated with fans of authentic international snacks.
  • Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken: This flavor was a nod to the global popularity of Korean cuisine. Using the Lay's Wavy chip for a heartier crunch, it aimed to replicate the savory, slightly sweet, and umami-rich notes of the beloved Korean-Style Fried Chicken dish.

Global Flavour Quests: The Wildest International Lay's Creations

While the U.S. "Do Us A Flavor" contest is the most famous, the campaign—often branded as "Do Us A Flavour" (with a 'u') outside the US—is a global phenomenon. Lay's, which operates under the PepsiCo umbrella, has used this crowdsourced strategy in dozens of countries, resulting in a fascinating array of truly unique and sometimes bizarre potato chip flavors that build incredible topical authority.

These international competitions showcase the diversity of global cuisine and the willingness of Lay's to adapt to local tastes. Some of the most notable and intriguing international flavors include:

  • Canada's Bacon Poutine: A tribute to the iconic Canadian dish of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. This flavor is a testament to embracing national comfort food.
  • UK's Cheese & Onion: While a staple flavor in the UK, it was featured in a global "World Flavourites" campaign, highlighting the enduring popularity of classic British chip tastes.
  • Thai Sweet Chili: A popular flavor in various international markets, this chip offers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory notes, a common profile in Thai cuisine.
  • India's Magic Masala: A vibrant and spicy flavor that captures the complex blend of Indian spices, reflecting the country's rich culinary tradition.
  • China's Banana: Perhaps one of the most unexpected flavors, the Banana chip flavor has been spotted in the Chinese market, demonstrating a truly adventurous approach to snack innovation.

The success of the "Do Us A Flavor" campaign lies in its brilliant marketing strategy. By turning product development into a massive, interactive fan challenge, Lay's generates millions of submissions, massive free publicity, and a built-in audience eager to try the limited-edition finalists. It’s a masterclass in consumer engagement, ensuring that every new flavor launch, especially the 2025 Bacon Grilled Cheese, becomes a national conversation starter. The next million-dollar chip flavor could be yours.

The $1 Million Chip: A Complete List of Every Lay's Do Us A Flavor Winner, Including the 2025 Champion
do us a flavour lays
do us a flavour lays

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Monte Treutel MD
  • Username : jrohan
  • Email : marcellus.mcglynn@heaney.com
  • Birthdate : 1994-08-21
  • Address : 708 Delia Parkways Suite 134 Montanafort, DE 93247
  • Phone : +1-281-598-6330
  • Company : Gottlieb, Koss and Wolf
  • Job : Curator
  • Bio : Et explicabo dolore distinctio et. Quisquam eligendi vero autem aspernatur. Eaque perferendis reiciendis corrupti repellendus et voluptatem rem.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/ryanh
  • username : ryanh
  • bio : Et quas eos eum fuga. At delectus ad blanditiis non.
  • followers : 2689
  • following : 1509

linkedin:

Random Posts