Is Oven-Baked parm crisps cheddar Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the source of ingredients rather than just the name. When we examine the label for Oven-Baked parm crisps cheddar, the classification is immediate. The product is fundamentally a cheese-based snack, not a vegetable-based one.

The primary flag here is the dairy content. The ingredients list includes cheddar cheese, aged parmesan cheese, and asiago cheese. All three of these are derived strictly from animal milk using cultures and enzymes. While enzymes are sometimes a point of confusion, in this context, they are part of the cheese-making process (rennet) and do not negate the fact that the base ingredient is milk.

The only non-dairy ingredient listed is cassava flour. This likely acts as a binder or a crispness agent to hold the cheese together. However, because the cheese is the dominant ingredient, the product cannot be considered vegan. It also contains annatto, a natural food coloring often used in cheese to give it that orange hue, which is plant-derived but irrelevant to the vegan status given the milk content.

Nutritional Value

Because this product is essentially baked cheese, the nutritional profile is high in fat and protein but low in carbohydrates. You can expect a significant amount of saturated fat per serving, which is typical for snacks made with cheddar and parmesan. There is likely zero added sugar, as cheese crisps do not require sweeteners to taste good.

For those on a Keto or low-carb diet, these crisps generally fit well due to the high fat and low net carb count from the cassava flour. However, if you are monitoring your sodium intake, be aware that cheese crisps are notoriously high in salt to preserve the cheese and enhance flavor.