Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Vegan White Cheddar — ENGINEERED

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

Organic, vegan and gluten-free, and every one of those claims is true. But this is still an extruded puff built on refined rice flour, tapioca starch, sunflower oil and a touch of cane sugar, with the cheddar taste coming from an undisclosed flavor blend. The 4g of plant protein is real yet modest. A better cheese-puff swap, not a whole food.

Why this verdict

• Refined-starch base: rice flour plus tapioca starch
• Hyper-palatable puff formula: sunflower oil plus cane sugar plus refined starch
• NOVA 4 ultra-processed extruded snack
• Cheddar taste carried by undisclosed organic flavors

Ingredients (11)

• 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.
• Organic flavors (moderate) — Undisclosed flavor system delivering the 'white cheddar' note without dairy.
• ONION POWDER (safe) — Dried aromatic for flavor.
• GARLIC POWDER (safe) — Real seasoning.
• Rosemary Extract (safe) — Natural antioxidant used to keep the oil fresh.
• citric acid (safe) — Acidity and tartness adjuster.
• 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