7 Alternatives to Hot Cheetos to Get You Through This Shortage

As a lover of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, I, too, have been on the hunt for them since they seem to disappear from the shelves just as soon as they arrive.

Look, I know they're not the greatest, and they're terrible for you (and terrible for monkeys) but every now and then I need some Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

If you're having a hard time finding them in stores, you're not alone. Many are reporting a shortage of Flamin' Hot Cheetos- it's not a shortage per se, but the are flying off the shelves quickly. As a result, there is now a Flamin' Hot Cheeto black market. Some bags are being sold for as much as $35!

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If you don't want to shell out the $35, but do have a craving for that Flamin' Hot flavor, you've come to the right place.

I have ventured out of my usual chips order to test out what other Flamin' Hot chips could come close to the love I have for Flamin' Hot Cheetos. I ended up loving some of the alternatives probably more than Hot Cheetos, but some, well, they take the craving away but it should be a lesson that not everything should be given the Flamin' Hot treatment.

Here are seven alternatives to Flamin' Hot Cheetos, starting from least favorite to favorite.

7. Flamin' Hot Ruffles.

In a crunch, these will do. They're good, but are lacking that oomph that Flamin' Hot Cheetos have.

6. Flamin' Hot Smartfood Popcorn

This is only on the low end of the list because I'm not particularly fond of already made popcorn- but this one isn't bad.

5. Flamin' Hot Fries 

Of course, this is a classic. However, these are starting to also disappear from shelves quickly!

4. Flamin' Hot Lays

These are so simple yet, delicious!

3.. Flamin' Hot Baken-Ets 

These are delicious! If you already enjoy the chicharrones and like Hot Cheetos, then you're in for a treat with these!

2. Flamin' Hot Puffs 

Somehow, these are the ones still left on the shelves, but I feel like people are missing out- these are good!

1. Flamin' Hot Kettle Cooked Lays

These are becoming hard to find too! And obviously it's because they are so good! The crunch, the flavor I seriously think these are BETTER than Hot Cheetos- and they're my new favorite.