Product Review: Snack Factory Gluten Free Original & Salted Caramel Pretzel Crisp Minis

Product: Snack Factory Gluten Free Original & Salted Caramel Pretzel Crisp Minis – $2.99/each+

Ah, my dear Kroger store.  You don’t carry much that I get excited about.  So, trust me, when you have a product that I didn’t even know existed and I spot it on a shelf or end cap, it’s more than likely making the journey home to by pantry.

And, yes, that is exactly what happened a couple of months (yes, months) ago when my roommate and I spotted these little packages of pretzels on a display at our local Kroger store.  I love pretzels…and not only were these thin…they were mini and came in two different flavors: salted caramel (HELLO!) and original.

The company responsible for this treat…is none other than Snack Factory, who you might recognize from their regular (and glutenous) Pretzel Crisp snacks.  Well, this fantastic company took it upon themselves to create gluten-free versions.  But why stop with just the original flavor?  Do a bit more.  And they did well, opting for Salted Caramel as well.  AND…I have discovered that since then, they have also introduced Gluten Free Vanilla Yogurt Pretzel Crisp Minis and Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Pretzel Crisp Minis.  Which…the dark chocolate version needs to be found stat and get in my belly, for real!

That being said, the fact that they offered a Salted Caramel version was more than enough to catch my attention.  And, while these were purchased awhile back, I had other things going on and just now got to them.  But, the delay was worth it, because I am beyond over-the-moon enamored with these things.  Seriously!!

Snack Factory was started by Sara and Warren Wilson, who met while selling funnel cakes at the amusement park.  After creating smash snack hits with New York Style Pita and Bagel Chips, then turning it over to RJR Nabisco, they decided on another venture that would make people “rethink your pretzel.”  And, in 2004, a new brand was born…and all the snackers in the world rejoice.  The Wilsons brought a modern twist to an old favorite – the pretzel.  They combine the best part of the pretzel…all the flavor and crunch…but in a lighter, crispier and more versatile package – a thin pretzel, as it were.  It’s the world’s first pretzel-shaped cracker that is thin, crunchy, and made with high quality ingredients, in both sweet and savory flavors.  And this past year, they introduced 4 new flavors to their Pretzel Crisp Minis line…all of them gluten-free!

I picked up the Original and Salted Caramel gluten-free varieties, because that’s all my Kroger store carries.  But…I am so totally going to find the coated ones.  I am now on a mission, because I now just found out about them! HA!  Anyway, these past two weeks have meant pretzels for dessert.  A salty treat has replaced the sweet..and what a change.

The Snack Factory Gluten Free Original Mini Pretzel Crisps is where I’ll start (because you should always start with the original).  These little pretzel thins pack a lot of crunch, a lot of flavor, and a lot of everything I want in a snack.  Seriously.  The flavor is amazing.  Salty, with the actual taste of a pretzel.  None of that buttery flavor that covers up the fact that something is gluten-free.  This, for real, tastes like an actual pretzel.  What a treat.  I loved popping this wholesome treat as a follow-up to my meal.  Simple ingredients, and a delicious snack on top of it.  It was hard not to just devour the entire bag in one sitting.  A serving was plenty, of course, but these are just so freakin’ good!

The same can be said about the Snack Factory Gluten Free Salted Caramel Mini Pretzel Crisps.  OH…MY…GOD.  If you are a salty/sweet lover, than this is the snack for you.  Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe how good these are.  Salty and sweet is the perfect combination (hence why I was addicted to chocolate covered pretzels…and still am…just now the gluten-free versions), and this gives it all.  The caramel flavor is the sweetness, without overwhelming the rest of the miniature pretzels.  And the salty pretzel itself gives it that full balance.  I loved the rich caramel flavor, making this definitely feel more like a dessert than the originals.  But both are beyond amazing.

Let’s talk ingredients!  Starting with the Snack Factory Gluten Free Original Mini Pretzel Crisps!  This treat is made from corn starch, potato starch, long grain white rice flour, corn fiber, palm oil, sugar, salt, cellulose gum, sunflower lecithin, yeast extract, baking soda, sodium acid, pyrophophate, citric acid, and chicory root extract.  These pretzel thins are gluten-free and contain less fat than potato chips and tortilla chips, as well as other popular snacks.

The Snack Factory Gluten Free Salted Caramel Mini Pretzel Crisps are made from corn starch, potato starch, long grain white rice flour, seasonings (fructose, sucrose, salt, butter (cream, annatto), non-fat dry milk, natural flavor), corn fiber, palm oil, non GMO canola oil, sugar, salt, cellulose gum, sunflower lecithin, yeast extract, baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid, and chicory root extract.  It is gluten-free, cholesterol free…and super amazing.

Now…for nutrition.  A serving of Snack Factory Gluten Free Original Mini Pretzel Crisps is about 35 of the pretzel thins (or 28 grams, if you weigh things like I do) and there are 5-6 servings per package.  This serving will provide you with 110 calories, 3 grams fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, 20 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar, and 0 grams protein.  Not filling, but oh…so good!

A serving of the Snack Factory Gluten Free Salted Caramel Mini Pretzel Crisps is about 30 pieces (or 28 grams, if you weigh things like I do) and there are 5-6 servings per package.  A serving will give you 120 calories, 4 grams fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 410 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 3 grams sugars, and 0 grams protein.  So, it is sweet without sugar overkill.  Seriously, they are like candy…without the guilt!

I am so happy for having discovered Snack Factory’s line of new Gluten Free Mini Pretzel Crisps.  They are totally amazing.  I was blown away.  I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.  What a great surprise when a product (or two) surpasses all expectations.  This was the best surprise I’ve had in a long time.  Now…to track down the yogurt and dark chocolate covered versions to test them out.  I bet they’re amazing.