Crackers, standard snack-type, sandwich, with cheese filling
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic snack cracker, often a buttery, flaky square or round, sandwiched with a smooth, savory cheese-flavored filling. It delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a creamy, salty, and distinctly 'cheesy' taste, reminiscent of processed cheddar or American cheese. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense energy source, with over 60% of its calories coming from carbohydrates and a significant portion from fat.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the nostalgic, comforting combination of salty cheese and crispy cracker, a flavor profile perfected by brands like Ritz and Lance. It's a versatile snack that pairs easily with drinks or can be part of a quick lunchbox addition.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate content (especially from refined flour) and added fats can lead to blood sugar spikes and aren't ideal for low-carb diets. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein (like a handful of nuts) or fiber (like an apple) to slow digestion. Those monitoring sodium intake should also be mindful, as cheese fillings are typically high in salt.
Key benefits
- Quick and convenient source of energy
- Provides a satisfying textural contrast (crunchy + creamy)
- Offers a small amount of protein from the cheese filling
- Shelf-stable and portable for on-the-go snacking
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The most iconic brand, Ritz, was introduced in 1934 during the Great Depression, marketed as an affordable luxury with its name evoking the glamour of the Ritz Hotel.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 3.9 g |
| Energy | 477 kcal |
| Energy | 1996 kj |
| Protein | 9.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 21.1 g |
| Ash | 4.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 61.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 257 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 36.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 406 mg |
| Potassium, K | 429 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 978 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.62 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.29 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.45 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.68 mg |
| Niacin | 3.8 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.51 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 100 ug |
| Folic acid | 86.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 160 ug |
| Choline, total | 27.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 16.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 62.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 10.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.22 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 8.3 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.4 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 11.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 11.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.15 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 | 2.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.12 g |
| Threonine | 0.27 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.35 g |
| Leucine | 0.65 g |
| Lysine | 0.29 g |
| Methionine | 0.17 g |
| Cystine | 0.19 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.45 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.28 g |
| Valine | 0.40 g |
| Arginine | 0.36 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.29 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.41 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.31 g |
| Proline | 1.0 g |
| Serine | 0.47 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Are the cheese filling and crackers made from real cheese?
The filling is typically a processed cheese product made from cheese, oils, and emulsifiers, designed for stability and flavor. The crackers themselves contain little to no actual cheese.
Why are they so addictive?
They hit a 'bliss point' of salt, fat, and refined carbs, which stimulates pleasure centers in the brain. The satisfying crunch and creamy texture also play a key role.
Can I use them in cooking?
Yes! They make a classic, easy crust for cheesecakes or key lime pies. Crushed, they can also add a savory crunch to casseroles or as a topping for baked mac and cheese.