Welcome to “McDaniel’s Bite-Sized Reviews” | Cauliflower Crackers
It’s a weekly series we’re calling “McDaniel’s Bite-Sized Reviews!” Every other week, we’ll share a popular food, drink or supplement one of our MNT Registered Dietitians tried, reviewed and rated. With the growing number products on the grocery store shelves, figuring out which items are getting you the most nutritional bang for your buck can feel overwhelming? Our hope is that we can make grocery shopping at least 0.5% easier!
FYI – these posts aren’t sponsored. They are opinions of unpaid tastebuds.
Check Out Our Past Reviews:
- Week One: Banza Elbow Pasta Made with Chickpeas
- Week Two: Lifeway ProBugs Organic Pouches
- Week Three: Sports Research Collagen Peptides
- Week Four: Lúvo Planted Power Bowls
- Week Five: Kodiak Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix: Buttermilk
- Week Six: Beyond Meat Burger
- Week Seven: Litehouse Cilantro Greek Yogurt Dressing
- Week Eight: Clif Whole Lotta Bars
- Week Nine: Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs
Product: Cauliflower Crackers
Cauliflower crackers are a plant-based spin on the traditional cheesy cracker, i.e. Cheez-Its. Made with cauliflower four, rice and cassava and responsibly harvested palm oil, the product aims to make a healthier vegan cracker.
Why Did We Try Cauliflower Crackers?
I’m always on the look out for healthy snack foods that have that “snacky” feel but offer some kind of nutritional benefit. My kids love cheddar crackers, and their summer camp provides the traditional Cheez-Its as an afternoon snack. On the occasion that I pick them up early, and they don’t get their cheesy snack; they complain. So, I thought I would try and find a healthier replacement with a similar crunch and cheddar flavor.
Nutrition Facts Label
Where to Find Cauliflower Snacks
Use their store locator to find out where to purchase them. In the Midwest, you can find Cauliflower Snacks at Dierbergs, Whole Foods or Fresh Thyme. Here is a link to get a 6 pack of snacks on Amazon.
Cauliflower Crackers, Are They Worth the Bite?
Our 5 Star Rating
Taste: 2/5 stars
I really, really wanted to love the taste of these cauliflower crackers. And, I wanted the boys to love them as well. Unfortunately, while the look and crunch was on point, the taste was not. I’ve tried and liked it all: riced cauliflower, cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower mashed potatoes. But, for some reason, the use of cauliflower in this recipe didn’t work for me.
Nutrient Density: 2/5
Nutritionally speaking, the cauliflower crackers had 1 gram more fiber. Does cauliflower flour provide more antioxidant power compared to enriched wheat flour? Not really. When any veggie is reduced to powder, you just can’t expect to get the same produce power. Want to reap the health benefits of cauliflower? Eat the real thing. The other cheddar crackers had less sodium, less saturated fat and added sugars. This review made me actually feel better about camp snacks!
Comparison for Similar Types of “Healthier” Cheddar Crackers
Value: 2/5
The average cost per serving of the cauliflower crackers was significantly more expensive compared to “healthier” cheddar crackers that were either baked or vegan. To summarize the chart above, there are 4 servings per box in the Cauliflower Crackers for $1/serving. This is 2 times more expensive compared to the other vegan brand, and 3 times more expensive compared to baked crackers.
Overall Rating of Cauliflower Crackers: 2/5 Stars
Moral of the Cauliflower Cracker story, if you’ve got a craving for cheddar crackers, go with the real thing. If you’re seeking better nutrition from cauliflower, hit up the cruciferous section of your produce aisle.