Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Vegan Nacho Vibes — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Vegan Nacho Vibes by Hippeas ENGINEERED — score 35/90.

Same organic chickpea-puff base as the rest of the line, and genuinely vegan, gluten-free and soy-free. But it is built on rice flour, tapioca starch, sunflower oil and cane sugar, with a full nacho flavor system layered on top. Yeast extract does the savory 'cheese' work. Real plant protein, but an ultra-processed snack at heart.

Why this verdict

• Refined rice flour and tapioca starch base
• Hyper-palatable formula: cane sugar plus sunflower oil plus refined starch
• Yeast extract added for the savory 'nacho' punch
• NOVA 4 ultra-processed, 15-ingredient flavor system

Ingredients (12)

• CHICKPEA FLOUR (safe) — Legume flour providing the plant protein and fiber.
• rice flour (moderate) — Another refined starch filler for crunch.
• Sunflower Oil (moderate) — Refined oil, present in a small amount.
• TAPIOCA STARCH (moderate) — Refined starch for stretch and chew; little nutrition.
• Cane Sugar (moderate) — Added sugar in the chocolate coating; the only sweetener.
• YEAST EXTRACT (moderate) — Naturally glutamate-rich flavor enhancer used to boost umami.
• Pea hull fiber (safe) — Added fiber from pea hulls.
• natural extractives of paprika (safe) — Natural coloring, not a synthetic dye.
• Flavor (moderate) — Undisclosed nacho flavor blend.
• citric acid (safe) — Naturally occurring acid used to regulate acidity and preserve color; harmless in this context.
• Rosemary Extract (safe) — Natural antioxidant used to keep the oils fresh instead of a synthetic preservative.
• Salt (moderate) — Adds sodium; the only reason to watch portions if you are sodium-sensitive.

Healthier alternatives

• LesserEvil Organic Popcorn, Himalayan Pink Salt
• Plantain Chips
• Roasted Seaweed Snack with Sea Salt
• POPCORN HIMALAYAN PINK SALT
• Ridge Cut Potato Chips with Sea Salt