The crisp giant Walkers has stirred up a storm of debate with the release of its unexpected hot honey flavour, unveiled as part of a sweeping 2026 rebrand that includes new packaging and a refreshed product range. Available in a 6-pack for £2.15 from all major supermarkets since 12 January, this innovative crisp has quickly become a talking point in offices and homes across the UK.
A Flavour That Divides Opinion
Hot honey, a blend of sweet honey with spicy elements like crushed red chilli flakes or hot sauce, has cemented its place in the food industry over recent years. From supermarket condiment shelves to brunch menus and pizza toppings, its popularity shows no signs of waning. Now, Walkers is capitalising on this trend with a crisp version that aims to capture the essence of this polarising flavour profile.
The IndyBest Team's Verdict
When the IndyBest team conducted an exclusive taste test, reactions were decidedly mixed. While some appreciated the pleasant punch of spice, others found the sweet notes overwhelmingly dominant, craving more of the traditional salty seasoning that crisp lovers expect. For enthusiasts of milder hot honey variations, however, these crisps could prove irresistibly moreish.
This divisive response echoes the 'Marmite effect' – you either love it or hate it – that has come to define many bold flavour innovations in the snack industry. The hot honey crisp joins Walkers' 'inspired by flavours of the world' series, which already includes offerings like masala chicken and sticky teriyaki, showcasing the brand's commitment to global culinary influences.
Walkers' Comprehensive 2026 Rebrand
The hot honey launch is just one element of Walkers' extensive rebranding initiative. Packaging now features a new sun-inspired logo and the signature of founder Henry Walker, while product ranges have undergone significant reshuffling. From mid-February, the 45 per cent less salt selection will be rebranded as Walkers Lightly, and the Walkers Baked line has already transitioned to Oven Baked since December.
New Additions to the Range
The Oven Baked range itself welcomes two new flavours: slow roasted beef and sun dried tomato & basil, both announced earlier this month. These additions reflect Walkers' strategy to cater to evolving consumer tastes while maintaining its position as a market leader in the crisp sector.
Golden Potato Promotion Launches
To celebrate all things potato-related, Walkers has initiated a major promotional campaign called 'Golden Potato', kicking off on 26 January. This hunt-style promotion offers more than 500,000 prizes to lucky snackers. Participants need to find a ticket featuring a golden potato inside selected Walkers multipacks, including ready salted, cheese & onion, and variety packs containing these flavours.
Discovering a golden potato ticket could land you one of five £10,000 cash prizes, while finding a gold pack secures an e-voucher worth £1.10. This voucher can be used to try the new hot honey flavour and is valid until 24 May 2026, providing a perfect incentive for curious consumers to sample the controversial crisp.
As Walkers continues to innovate and refresh its brand identity, the hot honey crisp stands as a bold statement of culinary experimentation. Whether it becomes a beloved staple or a short-lived novelty remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it has already succeeded in getting people talking about crisps in a whole new way.
