Assist! I’m Obsessed With Catalina Crunch’s Excessive-Protein Cheddar Snack Combine

The Eater employees just lately had a spirited alternate about our favourite gasoline station snacks, and mine, unequivocally, is cheddar-flavored Chex Combine (ideally bought with a York Peppermint Patty, a canned iced tea, and an unpleasant pair of wrap sun shades from the rack close to the checkout stand). There’s simply one thing in regards to the umami explosion of tacky taste crystals coating a medley of crunchy textures, from pretzels to little sourdough crostinis.

That is how I ended up hooked on Catalina Crunch’s cheddar-flavored Protein Snack Combine. I’m actually consuming a bag of it as I sort this.

There comes a time in each millennial’s life when you need to gloomily admit to your self that you ought to be, like, caring what you eat, and doubtless consuming much less gasoline station meals, and guaranteeing that you simply eat sufficient protein and all that jazz. There was a very long time when this offered a conundrum, as a result of the thought of genuinely “wholesome” chips or sweet that didn’t style like barnyard hay or endocrine disrupters appeared ridiculous. Like, I do know higher than to maintain my pantry stocked with Cheetos, however bear in mind after we all ate kale chips in 2015, pretending to take pleasure in these fish-food-flavored flakes as they joylessly lodged in our enamel? That was unhappy. All of us watched with horror as the nice Olestra drama of the late 90s transpired, and it appeared like meals expertise might go no additional. However then, the 2010s introduced us a wave of protein-rich and low-carb variations of our previous favorites, a lot of that are suspiciously good. We’re undoubtedly in an period of “protein mania,” however that’s arguably higher than being in an period of mindlessly consuming merchandise loaded with completely unchecked fats, salt, preservatives, and empty energy.

Hilary Pollack

Maybe no high-protein cereal and snack model has gotten extra consideration than Catalina Crunch, based in 2017 by Krishna Kaliannan, who has type-1 diabetes and seen a chance available in the market for tasty breakfast cereals that wouldn’t spike his blood sugar. Thus was born Catalina Crunch’s flagship product, a darkish chocolate breakfast cereal, and the model’s line quickly expanded as demand went gangbusters and its merchandise grew to become an enormous hit at Costco. Final 12 months, the corporate surpassed $100 million in retail gross sales — actually staggering stuff — and have become the fastest-growing well being cereal firm. Now, along with 9 various kinds of sugar-free, high-protein, high-fiber cereal, Catalina Crunch additionally makes 4 various kinds of Oreo-esque sandwich cookies and 5 totally different flavors of snack combine, the latter of which is mainly means more healthy Chex Combine.

Look, Chex Combine isn’t horrible so that you can start with, however for those who might eat a model that has 5 instances as a lot protein and fiber, considerably fewer carbs, and half the sugar… why wouldn’t you? Effectively, the quick reply is since you’re anxious it doesn’t style good. However this “better-for-you” snack combine truthfully tastes simply nearly as good, if not higher, than my gasoline station go-to. It additionally occurs to be keto-friendly and gluten-free, if that’s essential data for you.

Have a look into a bag. We’ve acquired the cheese crunchies. We’ve acquired the quadrilateral crispy little Chex-like thingies. We’ve acquired pretzels, made out of chickpeas and nonetheless extraordinarily pretzel-y! And we’ve acquired cashews, the one nut I genuinely take pleasure in consuming entire.

Hilary Pollack

It is a top-tier snack combine and it additionally occurs to be very tacky — essential issue — and the seasoning is made with all the best hits: Cheddar cheese (duh), bitter cream, milk, salt sugar, buttermilk, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder — , all of the substances that make a savory snack so delightfully flavorful and snacky. I’ve not but efficiently been capable of get my palms on the Honey Mustard and Creamy Ranch (!) flavors, however after I do, they’ll hate to see me coming.

With Easter 4/20 (I believe we will simply acknowledge it) this weekend and a forecast of heavy snacking, it looks like an opportune time to share my obsession with these items. In any case, for those who’re going to gleefully plow by means of a bag of Cheddar snack combine, it’d as effectively assist you to hit your protein and fiber quotas.

Catalina Crunch Cheddar Snack Combine is offered at Catalina Crunch.