Cheese isn’t just for meatballs and pasta. Anyone can eat cheese as a healthy snack. Whether as a pre-workout, mid-afternoon, travel, or bedtime snack, cheese is already great on its own. But which cheese is best for snacking? What should you know about each type of cheese? Find out more in this article.
Is It Healthy to Snack on Cheese?
Not only is cheese delicious, but it’s also good for you in many ways. Research supports the benefits of cheese, such as strong bones, weight loss, and a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease [*]. So, there’s no reason to cut cheese out of your diet unless you have lactose intolerance or sensitivity to products made with milk.
Depending on your goals and preferences, healthy snacking cheese ideas include pairing them with almonds and pecans for a protein boost — like what we do with our Käze snack mixes — or salad greens if you’re craving a fresh snack.
Best Cheese for Snacking
What’s excellent about cheese is that it comes in different flavors. Some cheeses are more popular than others. Cheddar is an example. Here are the top snack cheese options you’ll undoubtedly love.
1. Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese has a buttery to sharp flavor depending on how long it has been aged. Note that the orange color people associate with cheddar cheese is actually annatto, an orange-red coloring derived from the achiote tree. This makes cheddar look more appetizing.
For its benefits, cheddar cheese is keto-friendly as a standalone snack. But, it also goes well with nuts and almond flour crackers. Also, some people prefer cheese crisps over cheddar cheese in its natural form. In that case, you may want to try our cheddar cheese bites.
2. Gouda Cheese
Gouda cheese has a sweet and creamy taste. It’s wonderful as an everyday snack, although it can be served at breakfast with fresh and dried fruits. Since gouda melts easily due to its higher fat content, you’ll be able to use it for an easy mac and cheese snack.
Another option is to get our gouda cheese bites, eat them straight out of the bag, or use them as salad toppers!
3. Smoked Gouda Cheese
Smoked gouda is a variant of regular gouda cheese. If you’re looking for a nuttier and buttery taste, smoked gouda is the best snacking cheese for you. As the name implies, smoked gouda is made by smoking the cheese on a charcoal grill or smoker.
A perfect snacktime charcuterie board includes smoked gouda, other cheeses on this list, cured meats, nuts, and crackers. Why not add our smoked gouda cheese bites to elevate your charcuterie board? The more variety, the better.
4. Pepper Jack Cheese
Pepper jack cheese is also one of the best snack cheese options, thanks to its spicy, tangy, and buttery flavors that many people appreciate. If you’re bored with plain cheese, pepper jack contains small amounts of jalapeños, habañero peppers, rosemary, and garlic. This would leave you craving more pepper jack.
If you love grilled sandwiches and nachos, know that pepper jack melts well! You can even make pepper jack cheese bites at home by coating cheese cubes in flour and spices, and then frying them. However, you can always opt for convenience with our pepper jack cheese bites.
5. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is a favorite of those who are following a keto diet. As one of the best low-carb cheeses, parmesan is sure to keep you full due to its higher protein content. It’s also interesting to note that parmesan has very low levels of lactose and is easier to digest.
Aside from enjoying parmesan in chunks, you can turn it into yummy crisps by stirring parmesan (along with other shredded cheeses you like) in a bowl, arranging them on a baking sheet, and baking them for 8 minutes.
6. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese is milky and savory, so it’s no wonder why mozzarella is used in many meat recipes. When it comes to snacking, a fun idea would be to try breaded and deep-fried mozzarella cheese sticks. They’re crispy on the outside and melted on the inside!
Summary
All these cheeses are good for snacking. There’s no shortage of ideas on how to eat cheese as a healthy snack, no matter the time or place. Cut it into slices or explore different cheese pairings if you’re feeling creative.
In fact, we’ve made it possible to make cheese more convenient for everyone without altering its taste and nutrition — that’s why we created our very own Käze cheese snacks! Shop all Käze products today.
