The Best Puffed Cheese Snacks and Cheats

Bright orange corn sprouts infused with salty, fatty, cheesy goodness are the epitome of junk food—messy, almost devoid of nutrients, and so delicious and crunchy it’s hard to resist.

Accidentally invented in 1935 by a pet food producer, cheese puffs are a snack extruded from corn and oil, then sprinkled with cheese-based powder. They were first introduced as a snack — for humans, not livestock — in the 1950s, then became popular in 1971, when Frito-Lay began marketing them as Cheetos Puffs.

While Cheetos remains the most popular brand in the snack aisle, a good handful of companies have jumped into the category, producing a mountain of messy balls and curls to choose from. Curious, we dove into 10 brands of curls and balls to find out which ones were worth the money.

Good cheese puffs are tender yet crisp, with a tangy touch, a nutty cheese flavor and just enough salt to satisfy. Bad cheese puffs are extremely salty, have a tough, almost chewy texture, or taste like rancid oil. And to be clear, none of them taste like real cheese. Cheese flavoring is usually a combination of powdered cheese and other dairy products. Many use artificial colors and flavors; others rely on spices and natural flavorings to enhance both flavor and appearance.

Here are details on puffs to please, and the sad failures best left on the shelves. The nutritional information refers to 28 grams, or approximately 1 ounce.

Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs

These light-colored curls have big cheesy flavor, a satisfying crunch, and a dangerously delicious tangy taste. This is one of the few cheese snacks we’ve tried that hits the spot on all fronts. 160 calories, 9 g fat, 280 mg sodium, 2 g protein. $4.69 for 8 ounces at Target. (4 stars)

Cheese and sprout puffs

Lovers of sharp cheddar will love these puffs. They are salty, cheesy and both tender and crispy. As a bonus, they contain a little less fat than most. 130 calories, 6 g fat, 240 mg sodium, 2 g protein. $2.99 ​​for 6 ounces. (4 stars)

Trader Joe’s Reduced Fat Cheese Puffs

The extra fresh flavor of these bright corn snacks makes for a satisfying bite. Add more cheese flavor and they would be perfect. 140 calories, 7g fat, 220mg sodium, 2g protein. $2.49 for 5.5 ounces. (3½ stars)

Annie’s Organic Cheddar Cheese Smiles

A touch of grilled cheese and minimal salt make this a delicious bite, but these chunky curls won’t appeal to those who want a crunchy snack. These are soft pillows. 149 calories, 8g fat, 205mg sodium, 2g protein. $4.99 for 4 ounces at Sprouts. (3 stars)

Utz cheese balls

A generous dusting of neon orange cheese powder makes these buttery snacks fun to eat, but they’re more salty than cheesy. 150 calories, 9 g fat, 300 mg sodium, 3 g protein. $7.33 for 23 ounces at Walmart. (2½ stars)

Flaky Cheetos

If looks were the only criterion, these giant neon-colored curls would win. Unfortunately, they taste a lot better than they taste: the salt level cancels out the hint of cheese. 160 calories, 10g fat, 270mg sodium, 2g protein. $4.99 on sale for 8 ounces at Target. (2 stars)

Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar Puffs

If you’re just looking for crunch, these might appeal to you. These are a very crunchy snack, but the flavor of the aged white cheddar is gone. 140 calories, 6 g fat, 170 mg sodium, 2 g protein. $3.50 on sale for 4 ounces at Sprouts. (1½ stars)

Market Pantry Cheddar Cheese Balls

These colorful balls are pleasantly crunchy and colorful, but they are sorely lacking in flavor. 160 calories, 9 g fat, 200 mg sodium, 16 carbs, 2 g protein. $6.79 for 40 ounces at Target. (1 star)