Singing the Praises of Cheesy Crackers
Cheese and crackers make for a splendid pair, but somewhere near the dawn of history, someone put cheese IN the crackers and created an iconic, simple snack.
Cheesy crackers
Cheese has long been used as a flavor ingredient in many kinds of crunchy snacks, and for the humble little cheese-enhanced cracker, a basic orange cheddar has typically been the standard. But in recent years new flavors, shapes and textures have led to an array of consumer choices that go beyond the one-inch square. Technically, for the leading brand anyways, it’s a rectangle measuring 26 by 24 millimeters. And, if you are wondering if real cheese is used in cheesy crackers, the simple answer is “yes.” In most cheese-flavored snacks, the cheese flavor comes from a ubiquitous product known as cheese powder. This stuff starts out as natural cheese and is converted to powder through dehydration processes which typically involves mixing pulverized cheese with water and then spray-drying the mixture. Basic natural cheddar is usually the cheese of choice for the cheese powder that adorns snacks. But in recent years, as consumer interest in a broader variety of cheeses has grown, cheese powder types have become more diverse.
Below is our take on 11 of the dozens of cheesy crackers currently available at the grocery store.
Annie's Organic Cheese Squares
Annie’s Inc. of Minneapolis has been making natural and organic food products since 1989. Annie’s Cheddar Squares have the same familiar 1-inch square(-ish) form as the original Cheez-It brand, but are made with all natural ingredients, right down to the annatto in the cheese, and the expeller-pressed sunflower oil. They carry the Certified Organic USDA seal, and are a staple at Whole Foods Markets and widely available at other retailers. With a light crunch and a balanced saltiness, they make for a pleasant snack, but the cheese flavor is pretty understated. We give it a grade B.
Back to Nature Cheezy Crackers
This is basically a vegan Cheez-It, from a company that specializes in vegan snacks. Crispy, buttery, with an onion-powder flavor, they are better than your average "vegan cheese." In fact, they were very good with creme fresh, caviar and chives, but there goes the vegan cred. We give it a B+, with bonus points for the clean, yet punchy package graphics.
Cheddar Bunnies Baked Crackers
Annie’s also offers Cheddar Bunnies Baked Crackers, which might bring Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers to mind. Like the Squares, the bunnies in White Cheddar flavor are USDA Organic, but made without the annatto. They are also cute as can be, and hard to put down, no matter how long it has been since you rode in a car seat. Grade B+
Cheez-It Original
This classic is among the best-sellers in the category for several reasons. It’s cute and bite-sized. It is made from 100% real cheese, and the flavor is a fine, simple balance of tangy cheddar and salt. It also has a long fascinating history. Introduced in 1919 by Green & Green Company, Dayton, Ohio, the brand changed hands numerous times through corporate acquisition, and is now part of Kellogg’s Kellanova Company which is itself about to be gobbled up by Mars, Inc. In a mult-billion-dollar deal. Great for snacking, a half cup of Cheez-It originals can also add texture when crumpled on a mac ‘n’ cheese or any other casserole. We grade it a B- or a B+ for its familiarity, because familiarity breeds contempt or comfor depending on one’s attitude.
Cheez-It Snap'd Double Cheese Chips
This spin on the iconic vending machine indulgence is thin and crispy, made with flour and potato starch. Wikipedia says there have been more than 50 differnt flavor and form variations under the brand that have appeared on the shelves since the 1980s. Despite label claims of "double cheese flavor," we did not get enough cheese flavor. There was certainly onion powder flavor in there, and the texture is nice, but don't expect any cheese exclamations from your taste buds. Grade C-
Cheez It Grooves Sharper White Cheddar
Flat and crispy with grooves and ridges, this extension is familiar, but fresh.
Expect a nice "cheese powder" flavor, similar to what you get with Smartfood Cheese Popcorn. With great crunch, and full flavor, we had to exercise my best portion control/self control. Do NOT eat these from the box while reading Everybody Loves Our Town, an Oral History of Grunge. Grade A
Cheez-It Smoked Gouda
This is a new flavor but in the original form. Any Gouda worth a damn presents a flavor balance that leans toward the sweet. You will certainly catch that here along with a whiff of smoke. Gouda and cheddar are listed in the ingredients, and “natural flavor (including smoke).” Grade A-
Goldfish Mega Bites Cheddar Jalapeño
Goldfish baked crackers were rolled out by Pepperidge Farm in 1962 and the tiny crackers have been eaten with tiny hands ever since. The Mega Bytes are about twice the size of the original Goldfish and they come in the Cheddar Jalapeno and a Sharp Cheddar flavor. Perhaps the larger size might be intended for bigger kids? Whatever the case, we liked these, and we think they might make a good crust for a mac ‘n’ cheese or tuna casserole. The Cheddar Jalapeno features a buttery baked flavor and a hint of spicy cheese. Grade A-
Pretzelized Snacks Cheddar Pretzel Crackers
These crunchy, bite-sized snacks are labeled "two snacks in one!" by maker Still Snackin Inc. Yes, they will serve as a cracker. And yes, they are crunchy and coated with salt like a pretzel. But we might have to ask “where is the cheese?" Buried under the salt a little bit, perhaps. Great crunch, and as a nice vehicle for a slice of Havarti or young Gouda. With a bit more Real Cheddar and "Romano cheese" (indicated on the ingredient list) this would be even better. Grade C-
Sargento Cheese Bakes Parmesan and Oregano Crackers
Sargento Cheese, Plymouth Wis., teamed with Nabisco (now part of Mondelez International ) to bring this unique to the snack aisle. While cheese is the “#1 ingredient” these dense, chunky crackers also contain wheat flour, corn starch and oat fiber. We chose the parmesan and oregano flavor and they reminded us a bit of pizza, albiet the pizza you might have had in the school cafeteria in the 1970s—now we are dating ourselves! Grade C+
Quest Cheese Crackers Cheddar Blast
California nutritional food specialist Quest Nutrition, LLC offers a line of snack crackers fortified with fiber and protein. A serving of Quest Cheese Crackers delivers 130 calories, five grams of fiber, and 10 grams (20% of RDA) of protein. Whey protein accounts for the extra grams and the crackers are low in carbohydrates. The Cheddar Blast Cheese Crackers offer real cheese flavor and a great crunch. The company also sells nutrient-boosted potato chips, protein nutrition bars and protein powders. Grade N for nutrition, err... okay, call it Grade B.