Have you ever wondered what fear tastes like? Well, Blumhouse and Cheetos are out to answer that question. The studio has partnered with Frito-Lay to bring a terrifying new taste sensation, The Flavor of Fear: Phantom Heat Puffs Cheetos. This sweet and spicy blend has more than a few trick ups it’s sleeve, and kicks off the joint The Flavor of Fear campaign.
This limited-time snack is created using compounds from Sichuan pepper, which makes a unique and safe chemical reaction that creates tingling, fizzing, and numbing sensations. In terms of flavor, it’s being reported that these new treats open with a cinnamon sugar flavor. That sweetness is followed by heat gradually taking over. The sensations caused by the Sichuan pepper actually intensify as you chew, making it perfect for novelty foods.
Delish was able to sample an early batch of the Phantom Heat Puffs Cheetos. “The sweet and spicy work together really well, and at first bite, you only get those cinnamon sugar notes. The longer I kept it in my mouth, I did notice a very subtle fizziness,” the review reads. “Then the heat builds and builds, finally having you breathe fire. But for some reason, I just kept going back for more—and I wasn’t alone.”
You can check out this and other upcoming projects from the Blumhouse and Cheetos collaboration here. Phantom Heat Puffs Cheetos will debut on August 31, 2026.
