Gardettos are a popular snack mix made by General Mills. The spicy Italian flavor contains a variety of ingredients that give it a zesty, Italian taste. Keep reading to find out the full list of ingredients that make this snack mix so delicious!
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients in Spicy Italian Gardettos are:
- Rye chips
- Wheat chips
- Sesame breadsticks
- Mini breadsticks
These provide the crunch and carbohydrate base for the snack mix. The combination of rye chips, wheat chips and breadsticks gives a variety of textures and flavors.
Seasonings
The seasonings used to give Spicy Italian Gardettos its signature zing include:
- Maltodextrin
- Salt
- Sugar
- Yeast extract
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Spices
- Paprika
- Citric acid
- Parmesan cheese
- Romano cheese
- Tomato powder
- Natural flavor
The combination of savory, cheesy and spicy seasonings gives these snack mixes their robust Italian taste. Onion and garlic powder provide flavor depth, while paprika and tomato powder add vibrance. Parmesan and Romano cheese lend an authentic Italian flair.
Oils
The oils used in Spicy Italian Gardettos include:
- Soybean oil
- Sunflower oil
These vegetable oils are likely used during the cooking process to achieve the crunchy texture of the rye chips, wheat chips and breadsticks.
Preservatives
To maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, Spicy Italian Gardettos contains:
- TBHQ (Tertiary butylhydroquinone)
- Citric acid
TBHQ is an antioxidant that prolongs shelf life. Citric acid also acts as a preservative.
Contains Wheat and Milk Ingredients
The Spicy Italian Gardettos mix contains wheat-based ingredients (wheat chips, sesame breadsticks) and milk-based ingredients (Parmesan and Romano cheese). It is produced in facilities that also process peanuts and tree nuts. This means the snack mixes may contain trace amounts of these allergens.
Those with wheat, milk or nut allergens should exercise caution before consuming this product.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for a 1 ounce (28g) serving of Spicy Italian Gardettos:
| Amount Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Calories from Fat | 70 |
| Total Fat 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 180mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate 18g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 2g | |
| Protein 2g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 40mg | 4% |
| Iron 1mg | 6% |
| Potassium 55mg | 2% |
As you can see, Spicy Italian Gardettos packs a lot of flavor for 140 calories per serving. It offers taste satisfaction with 2g of protein and 1g of fiber. The mix provides a good source of iron and calcium as well.
Conclusion
Gardettos’ Spicy Italian snack mix contains a medley of rye chips, wheat chips, sesame breadsticks and mini breadsticks seasoned with savory Italian spices and cheeses. Key ingredients include wheat, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Parmesan, Romano, and a blend of vegetable oils. The mix provides a crunchy, zesty snacking option with 140 calories and 6% of iron per serving. Those with wheat, milk or nut allergies should check the label carefully before consuming. Overall, the combination of textures and robust seasoning makes Spicy Italian Gardettos a crave-worthy Italian-inspired snack.