When I first saw Sprout Organic Curlz, I was skeptical. Cheese puffs for kids? But then I read the ingredient list - and these are genuinely different from conventional alternatives.
The Clean Cheese Puff
Conventional cheese puffs (Cheetos and similar) use:
- Artificial colors (Yellow 6)
- MSG
- Artificial flavors
- Corn that's almost certainly GMO
Sprout Organic Curlz use:
- Organic corn
- Real organic white cheddar cheese
- Organic rice flour
- Organic sunflower oil
- Sea salt
No artificial colors. No artificial flavors. No MSG. This is what cheese puffs should be.
Nutritional Profile
Per serving (about 30 curlz):
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
Zero sugar. Real protein from actual cheese. The sodium is present but not excessive (conventional cheese puffs often exceed 250mg).
These aren't health food - they're snack food. But they're dramatically cleaner snack food.
Taste Reality
They taste like... cheese puffs. My kids couldn't distinguish them from conventional options in a blind test. The organic white cheddar provides genuine cheese flavor without artificial enhancement.
The texture is properly puffy and dissolves appropriately - safe for toddlers transitioning to crunchy foods.
The Toddler Transition
Sprout markets these for toddlers moving from baby puffs to regular snacks. The curlz shape is sized for small hands. The dissolving texture is safer than adult cheese puffs which can be harder and chunkier.
For the 18-month to 4-year window, these fill a real need - kids want what older kids eat, but conventional cheese puffs are too processed.
Ingredient Comparison
Sprout Curlz: Organic corn, organic white cheddar cheese (organic milk, salt, cultures, enzymes), organic rice flour, organic sunflower oil, sea salt.
Cheetos: Enriched Corn Meal, Vegetable Oil, Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese, Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Yellow 6]).
The difference is stark. Sprout has 5 recognizable ingredients. Cheetos has a chemistry lab.
Value Assessment
At $4.99 for a 1.48oz bag (~$3.37/oz), Sprout is premium-priced compared to conventional cheese puffs:
- Cheetos: ~$0.30/oz
- Sprout Curlz: ~$3.37/oz
You're paying 10x more per ounce. But you're also getting:
- Organic certification
- Real cheese vs. artificial flavoring
- No artificial colors (Yellow 6 is linked to hyperactivity)
- No MSG
For occasional snacking, the premium is manageable. For daily consumption, it adds up.
Availability
Find Sprout Organic at:
- Target
- Whole Foods
- Amazon
- Some grocery stores
Distribution is good but not universal. Check before assuming availability.
Who Should Buy This
Families seeking clean alternatives to conventional cheese puffs. Parents of toddlers transitioning to crunchy snacks. Those willing to pay premium for organic, real-ingredient alternatives. Anyone avoiding artificial colors and MSG.
Who Should Skip This
Budget-focused families - the price premium is significant. Those who don't eat cheese puffs anyway. Parents seeking nutritious snacks rather than "cleaner junk food."
The Verdict
Sprout Organic Curlz prove that cheese puffs can be made with real ingredients. Organic corn, actual white cheddar cheese, no artificial anything. For families where cheese puffs are part of life, this is the clean alternative. Just don't expect health food - expect cleaner junk food, which has its own value.
