The Indian spiced puffcorn snack launched in 1999 and owned by PepsiCo through Frito-Lay is Kurkure.
Kurkure was introduced in India in 1999 as a crunchy snack made from a mixture of rice, lentil, and corn ingredients. PepsiCo owns the brand through its Frito-Lay business, which develops snack products for local tastes as well as international markets. The name is associated with “crunchy” in Hindi and Urdu.
Its flavour range has included Masala Munch, Green Chutney Style, Chilli Chatka, and Schezwan Chutney. The brand later expanded beyond India, including a launch in Pakistan in 2008 and availability in selected markets with sizeable South Asian communities.
Kurkure is sometimes confused with Cheetos because both are brightly seasoned puffed snacks, but they are distinct brands. Funyuns are onion-flavoured corn rings, while Bamba is a peanut-flavoured puffed snack associated with Israel. Kurkure’s identity is specifically tied to Indian spice profiles and PepsiCo’s Indian snack operation.