The Chips, Crackers & Puffs That Totally Crushed the Competition

These yummy corn snacks from LesserEvil are made with real Cheddar and avocado oil for a healthier spin on classic cheese puffs.

TEST RESULTS: Food blogger Lindsay Ostrom said the snack was a hit in her house, adding, “I love that they’re not a crispy chip, but they’re also not entirely a puff. The texture is so unique and likable.” And GH nutrition pros appreciated that this snack is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives without sacrificing taste or texture.

Mi Niña blends tomato, lime, cilantro, and cayenne for an irresistible bite that’s like a tortilla chip and pico de gallo in one. These elite chips are delicious on their own and sturdy enough to stand up to salsa, guacamole, or queso dips.

TEST RESULTS: “These are light and crispy, with a flavor reminiscent of big brand nacho-style chips, but better,” raved judge and TV personality Alejandra Ramos. Taste testers described them as zesty, flavorful, and crispy, unanimously giving them five-star ratings for both taste and texture.

Hippeas keeps legumes front and center in its plant-forward snacks, and its newest puffs deliver plenty of crunch and bold flavor. The Jalapeño Cheddar Blaze puffs, made from chickpeas, are light and airy with a warm, spicy kick, and the Protein Crunch Puffs pair a savory Cheddar profile with an extra-crispy texture and 8 g of protein per serving.

TEST RESULTS: GH’s nutrition director appreciated the fact that the snacks are baked instead of fried and contain fiber for added staying power. She also highlighted that the Protein Crunch Puffs are the first in the brand’s lineup to be baked in avocado oil. Most important, both varieties outperformed other puffs on the shelf in comparative taste tests.

Lundberg Family Farms transforms its premium rice cakes into bite-sized snacks, then finishes them with authentic birthday cake and salted caramel seasonings without using artificial dyes, flavors, or preservatives.

TEST RESULTS: Adult and kid taste testers praised the snack for its perfect level of sweetness and satisfying crunch and were wowed by how flavorful the rice cakes were without containing artificial ingredients. GH’s nutrition director also appreciated the fact that it’s made with Regenerative Organic Certified brown rice.

Siete pairs the crunch of kettle-cooked potato chips with the creamy, tangy flavor of Mexican crema for a bold, satisfying snack with big flavor in every bite.

TEST RESULTS: GH’s dietitians appreciated the fact that the chips are cooked in avocado oil, and taste testers couldn’t get enough of them, unanimously giving them five stars for both flavor and texture. “Seemed very high quality and craft-made,” one said.

You’ve never had popcorn like this. Bessou pairs Japanese-inspired flavors with perfectly popped kernels, and this savory umami seaweed seasoning just works. The crisp, airy snack delivers plenty of flavor and makes a standout addition to movie nights, snack boards, or cocktail-hour spreads.

TEST RESULTS: “One of the most unique popcorn flavors I’ve ever tried, and I’m here for it,” said judge and influencer Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie. “The combination of the nori seaweed with the popcorn is a total hit!” Taste testers welcomed the flavor combination, too.

This gluten-free snack mix from Marimix features petite cassava flour pretzels and whole-grain puffs tossed in a Hatch chile lime seasoning with a bright, zesty blend of green chile heat, citrusy lime, and savory spice.

TEST RESULTS: Taste testers said it delivered the perfect level of spice and heat without overpowering the mix, and they also enjoyed the satisfying crunch from both the puffs and the pretzels. GH’s nutrition director appreciates that the gluten-free mix contains no artificial ingredients or high-fructose corn syrup as many others do.

These perfectly poppable crackers from Simple Mills are made with organic butternut squash and red beans, sneaking in a 1/3 cup of vegetables per serving—though you’d never know it from the taste.

TEST RESULTS: GH food and nutrition pros said the snack nails an authentic sour cream & onion flavor, while taste testers loved the bite-size shape, noting it’s easy to portion into snack bags and take on the go. And the ingredients stand out as a refreshingly wholesome option in an otherwise heavily processed category.

Sunnie gives classic cheesy crackers a much-needed upgrade with this gluten-free version made from avocado oil, cassava flour, and real cheese. The crackers deliver a satisfyingly crunchy bite and are not made with nuts, making them an easy school-friendly snack.

TEST RESULTS: “I found myself returning to the bag again and again because the flavor is so incredibly good! My kids loved them, too,” said food influencer Lindsay Ostrom. Fellow judge Kevin Curry agreed, noting that the crackers tasted homemade and had an excellent ingredient list to match.

These are far from your average pita chips. Terranean takes double-layered pita bread and bakes them twice in avocado oil to create a crisp, airy crunch. They're seasoned with bold za'atar, delivering a uniquely flavorful bite.

TEST RESULTS: Chef and TV personality Alejandra Ramos called them “light, crispy, the absolute perfect texture with a generous amount of their wonderful seasoning,” and also loved the brand’s tip to use the broken bits and extra seasoning at the bottom of the bag on salads.

Featuring a carefully curated blend of six nutrient-rich seeds, Top Seedz crackers are organic, naturally gluten-free, and now available in convenient family-size packs perfect for sharing or stocking the pantry.

TEST RESULTS: Judge and food influencer Yumna Jawad discovered the brand during last year’s Snack Awards judging and has been a fan ever since. “They are just so good with the perfect seed texture that’s not crumbly at all,” she said. Taste testers agreed, adding that the crackers tasted great on their own and also held up well to dips.

Made from a blend of yellow peas, brown rice, cassava, and sweet potato, these veggie straws from Jackson’s stand out for their simple ingredient list and the fact that they’re cooked in avocado oil.

TEST RESULTS: The gluten-free snack was a hit with taste testers, who praised its satisfying crunch and especially enjoyed the cheddar variety. GH’s Nutrition Director also appreciated that, unlike many veggie straws made primarily from potato starch, this version uses a more thoughtful blend of real ingredients.

Creamy peanut butter sits at the center, surrounded by FitJoy’s gluten-free cassava-flour shells, for a crunchy, better-for-you version of a favorite snack.

TEST RESULTS: Judges found them healthier (and tastier) than many gluten-free snacks on store shelves, praising the balance of creamy peanut butter filling and crispy exterior texture. Taste testers also said the bites were surprisingly filling and satisfying, making them an easy grab-and-go option for afternoon snacking.

Like Air’s crispy, light puffcorn delivers rich white Cheddar flavor with a meltaway texture that will keep everyone coming back for more.

TEST RESULTS: Testers of all ages raved about the snack, praising the balanced flavor and airy crunch. Judges also appreciated that the sturdy puffcorn pieces held their shape through the bottom of the bag without crumbling, making them especially satisfying for snacking and sharing.

LOVE CORN’s new sweet-and-salty flavor is made from whole crunchy corn kernels roasted right off the cob, with a touch of real honey and a sprinkle of salt for a classic kettle-corn balance.

TEST RESULTS: Registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman said she loved the snack, adding, “Roasted corn has always been a childhood favorite in my Ghanaian culture, so I knew I’d love this. The sweet-and-salty flavor is delicious, and the portioned pouch delivers the perfect crunch to satisfy a craving without overdoing it.”