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Cheese Stick Roundup

We analyzed 55 products to help you choose the healthiest & safest options.

Finding the perfect Cheese Stick shouldn't feel like a guessing game. At CakeID, we take food transparency seriously. We have analyzed over 55 products in this category, breaking down every ingredient list to uncover hidden additives, excessive sugar levels, and potential allergens.

Whether you are searching for strictly Vegan options, Gluten-Free snacks, or simply want to avoid high-processed foods, our algorithm ranks products based on a comprehensive Health Score. Below is our definitive ranking of the safest and healthiest Cheese Stick you can buy in 2026, sorted by their ingredient purity.

Editor's Quick Picks

Detailed Reviews

Calories
381
Protein
24g
Cracker Barrel

Marbled Cheddar and High-Moisture Monterey Jack Cheese Sticks

Ingredients: PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (COLOR)

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
1880
Protein
113g
Cracker Barrel

Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sticks

Ingredients: PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (COLOR)

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
316
Protein
14g
FarmRich

Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients: Low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese (pasteurized part skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzyme), enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, soybean oil, yellow corn flour, modified corn starch, contains 2% or less of each of the following: artificial flavors, caramel color, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onions, guar gum, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda), methylcellulose, natural flavor, nonfat dry milk, paprika extract (color), salt, spices, sugar, yeast.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
276
Protein
13g
Petite Cuisine

Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients: MOZZARELLA CHEESE STICK (PART SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES]), BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, YELLOW CORN FLOUR. CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, PARSLEY FLAKES, WHEY, SOY FLOUR, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), YEAST, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA, SUGAR, SALT, GUAR GUM, METHYLCELLULOSE, CARAMEL COLOR, SOYBEAN OIL.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
1860
Protein
28g
J.R. Dippers

Cheese Dip And Bread Sticks

Ingredients: ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOLFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID], CHEDDAR AND OTHER NATURAL CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (VEGETABLE COLOR)], SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, WHEY. CANOLA OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SALT, LACTIC ACID, SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), APO-CAROTENAL (COLOR), XANTHAN GUM, YEAST EXTRACT, SODIUM BIRCARBONATE, SODIUM ALGINATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, DISTILLED MONOGLYCERIDES, ASCORBIC ACID, CITRIC ACID.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
  • ● High Sugar Content
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Unknown

Natural a blend of colby & monterey jack cheese sticks

Ingredients: Pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto (vegetable color).

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Food Club

Cheddar cheese sticks

Ingredients: CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (VEGETABLE COLOR). CONTAINS: MILK.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
419
Protein
23g
Jack Links

Jalepeno Cheese Stick

Ingredients: PASTEURIZED PROCESS AMERICAN CHEESE WITH JALAPEΓ‘OS: CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, WATER, RED AND GREEN JALAPEΓ‘O PEPPERS, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE], NATURAL FLAYORING, ENZYMES. MEAT STICK: PORK, BEEF, WATER, SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT, FLAVORS, CHILI PEPPER, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, DEHYDRATED TOMATO, RICE BRAN, ENCAPSULATED LACTIC ACID, SAFFLOWER OIL, ENCAPSULATED CITRIC ACID, SODIUM NITRITE. CONTAINS: MILK

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Cabot Creamery

Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese Snack Sticks

Ingredients: Fresh pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
367
Protein
14g
Kwik Trip

Cheese filled breadsticks

Ingredients: Cheese Filled Breadstick (Crust (Flour Blend (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme, Folic Acid), Whole Wheat Flour), Water, Sugar, Corn Oil, Salt, Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate), Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)), Margarine With Garlic (Liquid & Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Dehydrated Garlic, Vegetable Mono - & Diglycerides, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Citric Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA Added To Protect Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate Added), Parmesan Cheese ((Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Powdered Cellulose (Anti-Caking)). Contains Milk, Soy, Wheat.

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Great Value

Colby & Monterey Jack Cheesesticks

Ingredients: PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO COLOR (IN COLBY CHEESE) CONTAINS MILK

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Happy Farms

Cheddar Cheese Snack Sticks

Ingredients: cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, annatto (vegetable color)

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
376
Protein
20g
Unknown

Genoa Salami, Provolone Cheese & Breadsticks

Ingredients: GENOA SALAMI (PORK, SEA SALT, LESS THAN 2% OF: DEXTROSE, STARTER CULTURE, SPICES, NATURAL FLAVORING, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRATE, SODIUM NITRITE, WINE), PROVOLONE CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), BREADSTICKS (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SOYBEAN OIL, YEAST, SALT, CORN AND MALT SYRUP, DRIED BREWERS YEAST).

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Contains Sodium Nitrate
View Full Analysis
Calories
474
Protein
21g
Trader Joe's

CheeseSticks cheddar

Ingredients: Unbleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour), Cheddar & Asiago Cheeses (Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes), Unsalted Butter (Milk), Yeast, Sugar, Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Rosemary Extract (To Preserve Freshness). Contains Wheat and Milk. May Contain Sesame.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
204
Protein
29g
Trader Joe's

Light string cheese

Ingredients: ORGANIC PASTEURIZED PART SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, MICROBIAL RENNET, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, MILK

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
279
Protein
14g
Bosco Stick

Cheese Stuffed Bosco Stick

Ingredients: Crust: flour blend [enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, enzyme, folic acid), whole wheat flour], water, sugar, corn oil, dough conditioner (soybean oil, vegetable glycerides, soy flakes), salt, yeast, l-cysteine. mozzarella cheese: pasteurized part skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes. topping: natural oil blend (soybean, palm fruit and canola oils), water, salt, mono and diglycerides, potassium sorbate, natural and artificial butter flavor, lactic acid, vitamin a palmitate and beta-carotene. topping with cheese: parmesan cheese [(pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), powdered cellulose, potassium sorbate], corn starch, salt, dehydrated garlic and contains less than 2% silicon dioxide.

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Contains Mono- and Diglycerides
View Full Analysis
Calories
506
Protein
23g
FarmRich

Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients: LOW MOISTURE PART SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYME), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WHEY, SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SALT, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA), DEHYDRATED ONIONS, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, SUGAR, SPICES, METHYLCELLULOSE, CARAMEL COLOR, DRIED YEAST, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), GUAR GUM, WATER, TOMATOES, SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, DEHYDRATED ONIONS, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS (POTASSIUM SORBATE), TURMERIC.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
1460
Protein
113g
Cracker Barrel

Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sticks

Ingredients: PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (COLOR), VITAMIN A PALMITATE

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
381
Protein
24g
Cracker Barrel

Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Sticks

Ingredients: CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), JALAPENO PEPPERS (JALAPENO PEPPERS, SALT, ACETIC ACID)

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
375
Protein
25g
Frigo Cheese Heads

Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese / Turkey Sticks Combo Pack

Ingredients: trkey stick ingredients: turkey, mechanically separated turkey, contains 2% or less of: salt corn syrup solids, spices, dextrose, lactic acid starter culture, carrageenan, sodium erythorbate, garlic powder, sodium nitrite, in beef collagen casing. colby jack cheese stick ingredients: cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, color added.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
286
Protein
25g
375 whole foods market

Organic String Cheese

Ingredients: organic cultured pasteurized part-skim milk, salt, microbial enzymes

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
312
Protein
12g
TGI Fridays

Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce

Ingredients: Cheese stick: part-skim mozzarella cheese (cultured part-skim milk, salt, enzymes), wheat flour, water, enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), soybean oil, modified food starch, contains less than 2% of: salt, dextrose, egg whites, dried garlic, spices, caramel (color), paprika extract, sugar, yeast, yellow corn flour, methylcellulose, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), nonfat milk, onion powder, sodium alginate, marinara sauce: water, tomato paste, white distilled vinegar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, contains less than 2% of: salt, spices, garlic powder, onion powder, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives).

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Contains High Fructose Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
200
Sugar
1g
PEPSICO INC,FRITO-LAY INC

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese imp

Ingredients: Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Falc Acid), Vegetable Gil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower On Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese (Milk Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes]. Canola Oil, Maltodextrin ([Made from Corn), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutate, Lactic Acid, Citric Artificial Color [Yellow 6), and Salt. CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS.

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
208
Protein
29g
Crystal Farms

String Cheese

Ingredients: Pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, vitamin a palmitate.

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
292
Protein
11g
Coles

Mozzarella cheese filled breadsticks

Ingredients: Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), mozzarella cheese (skim milk, cultures, salt, enzymes), water, soybean oil, palm oil, dextrose, salt, wheat gluten, yeast (ascorbic acid), parmesan (cultured skim milk, salt, enzymes, powdered cellulose), enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), ascorbic acid, malted barley flour, enzymes, garlic powder, pepper blend (black pepper, salt, brown sugar, dehydrated onion, parsley, dehydrated bell pepper, spice), onion powder, butter (cream, salt), natural flavor, annatto.

The Good

  • ● Low Sugar

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
304
Protein
23g
Sargento

Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese Stick

Ingredients: Low Moisture Part Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, salt, enzymes)

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Low Sugar
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
357
Sugar
11g
Aldi

Cheese dip and cracker sticks

Ingredients: cracker sticks [enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, canola oil, salt, yeast extract, baking soda), cheese dip [water, pasteurized milk, pasteurized cream, reduced minerals whey, whey, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, corn syrup solids, palm oil, contains less than 2% of apo-carotenal (color), cheese culture, distilled monoglycerides, enzymes, lactic acid, naturalflavor, salt, sodium alginate, sorbic acid (preservative) , sugar, xanthan gum, contains: milk, wheat

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
350
Protein
25g
Sargento

Colby jack natural cheese sticks with jalapeno

Ingredients: Pasteurized milk, jalapeno peppers, cheese culture, salt, habanero peppers, enzymes, annatto (vegetable color).

The Good

  • ● Excellent Health Score
  • ● Sugar Free
  • ● Clean Ingredients

The Bad

  • ● Ultra Processed
View Full Analysis
Calories
357
Sugar
11g
Kroger, The Kroger Co.

Cheese dip 'n' cracker sticks

Ingredients: Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, cheddar and other natural cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto [ for color]), sugar, whey, milkfat, canola oil, contains 2% or less of: maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, corn syrup solids, salt, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, lactic acid, sorbic acid (preservative), apo-carotenal (for color), xanthan gum, yeast extract, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, natural flavor, distilled monoglycerides, ascorbic acid, citric acid.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis
Calories
333
Sugar
14g
Clover

Cheese Dip with Cracker Sticks

Ingredients: Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, cheddar and other cheeses (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), sugar, whey, pasteurized cream, canola oil, contains less than 2% of apo-carotenal (color), baking soda, corn syrup solids, distilled monoglycerides, lactic acid, maltodextrin, natural flavor, palm oil, salt, sodium alginate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid (preservative), xanthan gum, yeast extract.

The Good

  • ● Convenient Snack

The Bad

  • ● Contains Corn Syrup
View Full Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Are products in the Cheese Stick category always vegan?+
Not necessarily. We analyzed over 55 products in the Cheese Stick category on CakeID. While some are plant-based, many contain hidden animal ingredients like milk powder, whey, or gelatin. Always check the "Is Vegan" status on our product pages.
How does CakeID rank the best Cheese Stick?+
We rank Cheese Stick based on their nutritional value, ingredient cleanliness (fewer additives), and vegan compatibility. Products with lower sugar and simpler ingredients rank higher.
Can I find low-calorie Cheese Stick here?+
Yes! Our list highlights the nutritional details of each product. Look for the "Calories" badge on the product cards above to find low-calorie options.
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