Snacks, corn-based, extruded, puffs or twists, cheese-flavor
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
These are airy, crunchy corn-based snacks shaped into puffs or twists, coated in a vibrant, savory cheese-flavored powder. Their texture is light and melt-in-the-mouth, delivering a bold, salty, and umami-rich cheese taste. Nutritionally, they are a high-calorie, high-fat treat, providing over a third of their calories from fat per 100g.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 38% carbs · 58% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for the intensely satisfying combination of airy crunch and bold, salty cheese flavor that hits a savory craving spot-on. They are a classic, no-fuss snack for movie nights, parties, or a quick bite straight from the bag.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Their high fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrate content can lead to blood sugar spikes and offer little satiety, making overeating easy. To counteract, practice strict portion control (e.g., measure a single serving), and pair them with a source of protein (like a handful of nuts) or fiber (like an apple) to slow digestion and increase fullness.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Provides a small amount of protein
- Convenient, shelf-stable, and portable snack
- Offers a satisfying crunch and savory flavor
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The cheese powder coating is often made from a blend of real cheese solids, whey, and seasonings, but its iconic bright orange color typically comes from annatto, a natural dye derived from the seeds of the achiote tree.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.56 g |
| Energy | 567 kcal |
| Energy | 2372 kj |
| Protein | 5.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 36.5 g |
| Ash | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 54.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 3.6 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 50.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 53.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.7 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 126 mg |
| Potassium, K | 180 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 928 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.37 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.1 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 6.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.18 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.38 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.98 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 80.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 80.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 80.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 11.6 mg |
| Betaine | 0.50 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 23.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 29.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 95.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 635 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 17.4 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.49 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.47 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.54 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 2.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 5.3 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.5 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.65 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.48 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.30 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 17.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 17.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 17.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.52 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.50 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.27 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.04 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.04 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.19 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.23 g |
| Cholesterol | 7.0 mg |
| Phytosterols | 276 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.22 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.37 g |
| Leucine | 0.78 g |
| Lysine | 0.42 g |
| Methionine | 0.18 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.37 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.29 g |
| Valine | 0.42 g |
| Arginine | 0.26 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.32 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.45 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.6 g |
| Glycine | 0.15 g |
| Proline | 0.77 g |
| Serine | 0.39 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Are these puffs a good source of vitamins or minerals?
Not significantly. While they may contain small amounts of calcium or iron from the corn and cheese powder, they are not considered a nutrient-dense food. Their primary contribution is calories, fat, and sodium.
Why are they so light and airy?
The corn-based dough is extruded under high heat and pressure. As it exits the machine, the sudden drop in pressure causes the moisture to flash into steam, puffing the snack into its characteristic light, porous shape.
Can these be part of a balanced diet?
Yes, in moderation. They can fit as an occasional treat within a diet focused on whole foods. The key is mindful portioning and not using them as a primary snack due to their low nutritional value.
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 5.67 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 3.6 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: 5.16 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.