Nik Naks Twisters Tangy 'n' Cheesy Snacks, 130g

Twisters are Nik Naks in a new shape: corn snacks twisted into spirals, in place of the brand's knobbly sticks. This is the Tangy 'n' Cheesy flavour in the 130g sharing bag, which the label says holds four to five servings. The full product name on the pack is tangy 'n' cheesy flavour corn snack, and the pack gives a freepost address for KP Snacks.

The ingredients

According to the published pack listing, the snacks are made from corn flour, sunflower oil, a tangy 'n' cheesy flavour, potato starch, rice flour, sugar, salt and ground turmeric. The flavour lists dried whey (milk), dried buttermilk (milk), natural flavouring (containing milk), dried yeast extract, salt, dried onion, sugar, rice flour, maltodextrin, potassium chloride, dried garlic, ground cayenne pepper, citric acid and ground white pepper.

The twist

The pack invites you to give these a whirl: each piece is a twisted spiral, with ridges that hold the seasoning. The base is corn flour with potato starch and rice flour, so the texture is lighter than a classic knobbly Nik Nak.

Cheese without cheese

There is no cheese on the list. The cheesy taste comes from dried whey, dried buttermilk and a natural flavouring that contains milk, with yeast extract for savoury depth.

The tang

Citric acid and the buttermilk give the tang in the name, and dried onion and garlic the savoury side, so the flavour sits somewhere between cheese and onion and a soured cream dip.

A little heat

Ground cayenne pepper and white pepper give a gentle warmth at the finish. It is a background kick rather than a spicy snack.

The colour

Ground turmeric in the base gives the bright yellow colour. The pack says there are no artificial colours or flavours.

No MSG

The pack says no MSG, and none is on the list. Yeast extract is naturally rich in glutamates, worth knowing for anyone who avoids them altogether.

Potassium chloride and the salt figure

Potassium chloride sits in the flavour beside salt. It tastes salty but contains no sodium, and the salt figure on a UK label is worked out from sodium. The label gives 2g of salt per 100g and 0.6g for a 30g serving, the most of any Nik Naks we stock.

Numbers per serving

The label gives 157 kcal (656 kJ), 9.3g of fat, 0.8g of saturates, 16g of carbohydrate, 2g of sugars, 1.1g of fibre, 1.7g of protein and 0.6g of salt for each 30g serving. That is about 8% of an average adult's daily energy reference intake, 13% of the fat and 10% of the salt. Per 100g it is 524 kcal (2188 kJ), 31g of fat, 2.7g of saturates, 53g of carbohydrate, 6.6g of sugars, 3.8g of fibre, 5.8g of protein and 2g of salt.

Reading the front of the pack

On the UK front of pack scale, per 100g, fat at 31g is red. Saturates at 2.7g are amber. Sugars at 6.6g are amber. Salt at 2g is red.

Allergens and diet

The published ingredients highlight milk, in the dried whey, the dried buttermilk and the natural flavouring. The allergy advice says the snacks may contain cereals containing gluten and soya. The pack says they are suitable for vegetarians; they are not vegan, because of the milk, and there is no gluten free claim. Recipes and factory arrangements change, so check the allergy advice on the pack you receive.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is the only oil on the list, and the label gives 2.7g of saturates per 100g.

The pack

The black bag carries a new flash and a great for sharing badge, with the Nik Naks name over the Twisters word and a yellow swirl behind a pile of twisted pieces.

Who it suits

A cheesy, tangy corn snack with a light kick suits a film night or a party bowl. It is not suitable for anyone avoiding milk, and anyone watching salt should keep to a small handful.

Serving the bag

Tip a serving into a bowl beside a salsa or a soured cream dip. It goes with a cold lager or a cola.

In the kitchen

Crushed, the twists make a bright, cheesy crumb for the top of a macaroni cheese or a coating for chicken strips.

Four to five servings

The label says the 130g bag holds four to five servings of 30g. Tip a serving into a bowl rather than eating from the bag.

Storage and packaging

The pack advises a cool, dry place and, once opened, an airtight container. The published recycling guidance says the whole packaging can be recycled with carrier bags at large supermarkets and should not go in home recycling.

Other Nik Naks

We also stock Nik Naks Twisters Nice 'n' Spicy at 130g, and the classic knobbly Nik Naks in Nice 'n' Spicy at 130g and 45g and in six bag packs of Nice 'n' Spicy and Rib 'n' Saucy.

Other 130g packs of Nik Naks we stock

Figures as published on each pack's label.

The published listing gives the United Kingdom as the country of origin. The tasting notes on this page are our own editorial assessment against the current pack format and the brand's published description.