Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies

Common questions

Is Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies healthy?

Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies scores 5/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. This product is ultra-processed and contains industrial seed oils, which are linked to inflammation and other health concerns.

Does Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies contain seed oils?

Yes — Scout's ingredient analysis flags seed oils in Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies, and that is reflected in its score.

How processed is Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies?

Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies compare to other salty snacks?

Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies ranks #93 of 118 salty snacks in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is Jesse & Ben's House-Cut Fries Tallow & Sea Salt at 93/100.

Which ingredients drive Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Butter (cream, salt), Buttermilk count in its favor; Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Trader Joe's Baked Cheese Crunchies

Trader Joe's
Contains seed oils
5 Poor

Near you

Trader Joe's is carried at Trader Joe stores. Find one within 25 miles.

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by Aldi Nord
Category Salty Snacks
Summary

This product is ultra-processed and contains industrial seed oils, which are linked to inflammation and other health concerns. The presence of 'natural flavors' adds to the processing level, and the use of refined ingredients like cornmeal further reduces its nutritional quality. Despite being baked, the combination of these factors places it in a low health category for packaged snacks.

Key ingredients 9

Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil
Very Bad

Sources: sunflower oil and/or safflower oil and/or canola oil. This oil is highly processed and contains unhealthy fats, which can contribute to negative health effects if consumed in excess.

See more about Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil →
Cornmeal
Neutral

Cornmeal is a basic grain ingredient that provides carbohydrates and texture to the product without adding significant health concerns.

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Salt
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

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Enzymes
Neutral

Part of Cheddar cheese seasoning. Cheddar cheese seasoning adds flavor and some nutritional value from dairy, making it a beneficial ingredient in moderation.

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Whey
Neutral

Liquid whey as a minor dairy ingredient — benign.

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Annatto and turmeric (for color)
Neutral

Annatto and turmeric are natural colorants that improve appearance without affecting flavor or nutrition significantly.

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Cultured Pasteurized Milk
Good

Part of Cheddar cheese seasoning. Cheddar cheese seasoning adds flavor and some nutritional value from dairy, making it a beneficial ingredient in moderation.

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Butter (cream, salt)
Good

Butter adds flavor and some beneficial fats, contributing to the product's taste and texture.

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Buttermilk
Good

Buttermilk offers a source of probiotics and nutrients, enhancing the flavor and nutritional profile.

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Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Amazon pricing & content

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