Oreo unveils three bizarre new flavors including one that tastes like MEAT... and fans are already divided

Oreo has never been afraid of getting experimental in the snack aisle - but its latest creations may have taken things to a whole new level.

The iconic cookie brand is launching three limited-edition flavors at once, and they range from nostalgic to downright unexpected: Banana Pudding, Deep Fried and Chicken & Waffles.  

The new releases will hit stores across the US from August 24, with online presales beginning August 17. The real twist is that shoppers will get to decide which of the three deserves to return in 2027.

Oreo is calling it its 'Twist, Lick, Vote' campaign, with voting running from August 17 through October 12. The winning flavor will be announced October 13.

But while some Oreo fans are already declaring their favorites, others are decidedly less convinced that every flavor belongs between two cookies. 

Banana Pudding combines sweet banana and vanilla pudding flavors in a dual-layered creme, sandwiched between vanilla wafer-style cookies. It has already has some serious fans online.

One Reddit user described the flavor as tasting 'just like boxed banana pudding mix with Nilla wafers,' while another declared: 'Banana pudding gonna slap.' 

Another fan said they felt they had been waiting their whole life for banana pudding Oreos, although they were still mourning the disappearance of Oreo's Peanut Butter Pie flavor. 

Not everyone is sold on the banana, though. One commenter warned that 'artificial banana flavoring is always ass', while another simply said: 'all of these are whack.'

Another option, Deep Fried Oreo, features fried-dough-flavored cookies, dark chocolate creme and a fried-dough-flavored creme. In other words, it's an Oreo that is trying to taste like a deep-fried Oreo.

One Reddit comment questioned why Oreo would bother making a deep-fried flavor when actual deep-fried Oreos already exist.

Another fired back that it was arguably no more ridiculous than Cookies 'n Cream Oreos, joking that those are essentially 'Oreo flavored Oreos.'

One Reddit user said their money was 'on deep fried,' while another who allegedly tasted them said that 'it's crazy how much this tastes like the real deal. It does not disappoint.'

The Chicken and Waffles Oreo is easily the most eyebrow-raising flavor of the three, combining sweet and savory notes inspired by the classic American dish. The cookies feature a waffle-textured embossment and dual-layered creme designed to deliver the flavor combination of fried chicken and maple syrup. 

Oreo describes it as a 'first-of-its-kind innovation' for the cookie aisle. And, somewhat surprisingly, Reddit appears to have a sizeable Chicken & Waffles fan club already.

One commenter simply wrote they're 'very excited for chicken and waffles.'

Another said they had tried all three and thought they were 'actually all amazing. Especially the Chicken & Waffles. Not kidding.'

Rohit Sakhamuri, senior brand manager for Oreo Innovation, said the team spent more than a year researching and developing the three flavors. The goal, according to Oreo, was to tap into the growing appetite for playful and unexpected flavor combinations.

'Delivering on complex flavors requires a rigorous, insights-driven R&D process,' Sakhamuri said, adding that the team worked to balance the unusual flavors with the taste consumers expect from Oreo.

And the brand certainly isn't new to pushing the boundaries. Over the years, Oreo has released everything from birthday cake and red velvet to more unusual limited-edition varieties, turning the humble sandwich cookie into something of a laboratory for snack experimentation.

Fans can vote for their favorite between August 17 and October 12 by scanning the QR code on the packaging or visiting Oreo's voting website. The winning flavor will return to stores for a limited time in 2027.