Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Vegan Nacho Vibes — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Vegan Nacho Vibes by Hippeas ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

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) — Refined starch that completes the fast-carb triad.
• Sunflower Oil (moderate) — Refined seed oil; fine in the modest amounts used here.
• TAPIOCA STARCH (moderate) — Refined starch used for binding and chew, nutritionally empty.
• Cane Sugar (moderate) — Added sugar in the breadcrumb — one of two distinct sweeteners in the list.
• YEAST EXTRACT (moderate) — A hidden source of free glutamate, stacked with MSG for 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) — Acidity and tartness adjuster.
• Rosemary Extract (safe) — Natural antioxidant used to keep the oil fresh.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.

Healthier alternatives

• Vegan Cheese Popped Water Lily Seeds
• HIMALAYAN PINK ORGANIC POPCORN, HIMALAYAN PINK
• Popcorn by SkinnyPop
• SkinnyPop Original Popcorn
• SkinnyPop Organic Original Popcorn