Cheese flavored corn snacks, reduced fat
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A crunchy, extruded corn puff coated in a savory, cheesy powder, delivering a satisfying snap and a salty, umami-rich flavor. This reduced-fat version maintains the classic texture while cutting fat by over 50% compared to standard varieties, making it a lighter snack option. It's a calorie-dense, carbohydrate-forward treat designed for quick energy and bold taste.
Calorie split: 8% protein · 67% carbs · 25% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the intensely savory, cheesy flavor and the addictive, airy crunch that makes it a go-to comfort snack. Its versatility shines at parties, movie nights, or as a quick topping for salads and soups.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate and low fiber content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it a poor choice for diabetics or those managing blood glucose. It is also typically high in sodium and may contain common allergens like milk derivatives. To counteract, pair a small handful with a source of protein (like Greek yogurt or nuts) or healthy fat (like avocado) to slow digestion, and drink water to help manage sodium intake.
Key benefits
- Significantly lower in fat than regular cheese puffs.
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein.
- Can satisfy salty, savory cravings with portion control.
- Lightweight and portable for on-the-go snacking.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The cheese powder coating is often made from a blend of real cheese cultures, whey, and natural flavors, but its vibrant orange color is typically derived from annatto or paprika extract, not cheese itself.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 3.0 g |
| Energy | 432 kcal |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 72.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 357 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 41.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 357 mg |
| Potassium, K | 286 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 842 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 9.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 21.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.54 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.61 mg |
| Niacin | 7.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.71 mg |
| Folate, total | 97.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 97.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 97.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 13.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 44.0 ug |
| Retinol | 38.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 58.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 30.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 643 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.41 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.31 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 1.0 mg |
FAQ
Is this healthier than regular cheese puffs?
Yes, the reduced-fat version contains significantly less fat per serving. However, it remains a processed snack high in refined carbs and sodium, so it should still be consumed in moderation.
Why is it so orange?
The bright orange color comes from food-grade colorants like annatto (from the achiote tree) or paprika, which are added to the cheese seasoning blend to give it an appealing, classic 'cheesy' look.
Can I use this as a breading or topping?
Absolutely. Crush the puffs into coarse crumbs to use as a crunchy coating for chicken or fish, or sprinkle them over mac and cheese or chili for added texture and flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.32 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 3.6 g fiber · 7.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.94 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.