Cheddar Chex Mix is a popular snack mix made by General Mills. It contains Chex cereal pieces, pretzels, bread sticks, and cheese crackers. The cheese crackers are an important ingredient that gives Cheddar Chex Mix its distinct flavor.
Types of Cheese Crackers in Cheddar Chex Mix
There are a few different types of cheese crackers that can be found in Cheddar Chex Mix:
Cheddar Cheese Crackers
The most common cheese cracker is a small, crunchy cracker made with real cheddar cheese. These crackers are baked with a blend of wheat flour and cheddar cheese to give them a bright orange color and a tangy, cheesy flavor. They have a crispy texture that adds crunch to the snack mix.
Nacho Cheese Crackers
Some varieties of Cheddar Chex Mix include nacho cheese flavored crackers. These crackers are made with nacho cheese powder and seasonings to give them a spicy kick and the flavor of nacho cheese Doritos. While not made with real cheese, they provide a more pungent cheesy flavor.
Parmesan Cheese Crackers
Other types of crackers include those flavored with parmesan cheese. These crackers have a sharper, more aromatic parmesan flavor. They contain parmesan cheese powder and are often shaped into curved wedges or sticks.
Cheddar Sour Cream Crackers
A more tangy variation are the cheddar sour cream crackers. These crackers are made with cheddar cheese and sour cream to give them a creamy, tart flavor profile. They have a light golden color and are small and crispy.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for the cheese crackers in Cheddar Chex Mix can vary based on the specific type. However, most cheese crackers contain roughly the following macros per 1 ounce serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Protein | 3g |
The cheese crackers are high in calories and fat from the cheese and wheat flour. They also provide carbs mostly from refined grains. The cheese contributes small amounts of protein.
Ingredients
A typical ingredient list for the cheese crackers includes:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Canola and/or soybean oil
- Salt
- Paprika
- Yeast
- Coloring (yellow 6)
As you can see, the main ingredients are enriched wheat flour, cheddar cheese, and oil. Natural and artificial coloring and yeast are also commonly used.
Flavors and Varieties
There are many different flavor varieties of cheese crackers beyond just cheddar that may be included in Chex Mix:
- Swiss
- Pepper jack
- Gouda
- Monterey jack
- Parmesan
- Romano
- Asiago
- Gruyere
Pungent cheeses like blue cheese or brie are not typically used for the mass-produced crackers in snack mixes. The most popular flavors are cheddar, nacho cheese, and parmesan.
Manufacturing Process
Cheese crackers are made using a simple manufacturing process:
- Blend the dry ingredients like flour, cheese powder, salt, and seasoning.
- Add in wet ingredients like oil and water to form a dough.
- The dough is sheeted and stamped into crackers shapes.
- Crackers are baked until crisp.
- Cool the baked crackers.
- Inspect, package, and distribute the crackers.
The crackers are made to be crunchy and sturdy so they can withstand being tossed around in the snack mix without crumbling.
History of Cheese Crackers
Cheese crackers were first created in the early 1900s as a shelf-stable snack item. The National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco) first introduced packaged cheese crackers in the 1920s. They became popular as a handy and inexpensive snack food.
Cheese crackers were included in early trail mixes as a crunchy, flavorful addition. Chex Mix was invented in 1937 and was the first snack mix to include cheese crackers. Today, cheese crackers are widely included in most savory snack mixes.
Popularity and Usage
Cheese crackers have maintained popularity over the years as a beloved snack due to their great taste and versatility:
- They can be eaten alone as a snack.
- Added to snack mixes like Chex Mix.
- Accompaniment for soups or salads.
- Toppings on casseroles or baked dishes.
- Included in homemade trail mixes.
- Stuffing for chicken, meatloaf or burgers.
Cheese crackers are a staple snack food in many households. Cheddar Chex Mix remains one of the most popular snack mixes, with the cheesy crackers being an integral ingredient.
Conclusion
The cheese crackers provide important cheesy flavor in Cheddar Chex Mix. They come in cheddar, nacho cheese, parmesan and other cheese flavors. Cheese crackers add a tasty crunch and saltiness that balances the other ingredients. They have been a beloved part of snack mixes since the invention of Chex Mix in the 1930s. The simple wheat and cheese ingredients make them a versatile, shelf-stable snack on their own or combined in mixes. Cheese crackers remain popular today as an affordable snack food people continue to enjoy.