Doritos 3D were puffed, hollow, 3D tortilla chips launched in 1998, offering a lighter, airier crunch with classic flavors like Nacho Cheese, Zesty Ranch, and Jalapeño Cheddar, but were discontinued in the early 2000s due to high costs and declining sales, despite a brief relaunch as Doritos 3D Crunch around 2020-2023. They were described as a fun, crispy, hollow chip, but weren't great for dipping, eventually fading from shelves as sales couldn't compete with standard Doritos.

Key Characteristics:

Shape: Inflated, puffed, hollow chips, creating a unique 3D structure.

Texture: Light, airy, and super crunchy.

Flavors: Original flavors included Nacho Cheese, Zesty Ranch, and Jalapeño Cheddar.

Experience: A novelty snack that provided a louder crunch and different mouthfeel.

Why They Were Discontinued (Original):

High Production Costs: The complex manufacturing process was expensive.

Declining Interest: Sales dropped as the novelty wore off and consumers preferred classic Doritos.

Not Ideal for Dipping: Their shape made them difficult to scoop dip.