Seabrook Extra Cheesy Waffle Bites, 6 x 16g

Waffle Bites are small, waffle shaped corn snacks from Seabrook, and Extra Cheesy is the cheese one. This is the multipack of six 16g bags, 96g in all, and the label gives figures for each bag. The full product name on the pack is cheese flavour baked maize and potato snacks, and the maker on the label is Calbee Group UK Ltd.

The ingredients

According to the published pack listing, the bites are made from maize (59%), vegetable oils (rapeseed and sunflower), a cheese flavour seasoning (14%: whey powder (milk), yeast powder, salt, potato maltodextrin, cheese powder (cheese and whey powder, milk), sugar, yeast extract, onion powder, flavouring, citric acid and paprika extract), potato granules, an emulsifier (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids) and a firming agent (calcium carbonate).

Waffle shaped

Each bite is a small square with a waffle grid on top, like a mini waffle. The grid gives more edges to crunch and more hollows for the seasoning to settle in.

Baked, not fried

The pack says baked not fried. The label gives 22.2g of fat per 100g, red on the front of pack scale, and 2.3g of saturates, amber.

Maize and potato

Maize makes up 59% of the bites, with potato granules for a potato note, which is why the full product name says maize and potato snacks.

Extra cheesy

The seasoning makes up 14% of the bites. Whey powder leads it, with yeast powder, cheese powder and yeast extract for a savoury, cheesy taste, and onion powder and citric acid for a light tang.

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is listed as a firming agent. It helps the dough hold its waffle shape as it bakes.

Yeast extract

Yeast powder and yeast extract are naturally rich in glutamates, worth knowing for anyone who avoids them altogether; there is no added MSG on the list.

Numbers for one bag

The label gives 73 kcal (305 kJ), 3.6g of fat, 0.4g of saturates, 9g of carbohydrate, 0.5g of sugars, 0.5g of fibre, 1.2g of protein and 0.29g of salt for each 16g bag. That is about 4% of an average adult's daily energy reference intake, 5% of the fat and 5% of the salt.

Numbers per 100g

Per 100g the label gives 458 kcal (1904 kJ), 22.2g of fat, 2.3g of saturates, 56.1g of carbohydrate, 2.9g of sugars, 2.9g of fibre, 7.4g of protein and 1.83g of salt.

Reading the front of the pack

On the UK front of pack scale, per 100g, fat at 22.2g is red. Saturates at 2.3g are amber. Sugars at 2.9g are green. Salt at 1.83g is red.

Salt

The label gives 1.83g of salt per 100g and 0.29g in a bag; the Maple Bacon Waffle Bites carry 1.82g.

Gluten free

The pack says gluten free and carries the Crossed Grain symbol, licence number GB-181-069 by the listing. There is no wheat on the list: the bites are maize and potato.

Oils

The oils are rapeseed and sunflower, the second ingredient after the maize.

Potato maltodextrin

Potato maltodextrin, a carbohydrate made from potato starch, carries the seasoning so it spreads evenly.

Carbohydrate, fibre and protein

The label gives 56.1g of carbohydrate per 100g, of which 2.9g are sugars; the rest is starch from the maize and potato. Fibre is 2.9g and protein 7.4g per 100g.

Vegetarian Society approved

The pack carries the Vegetarian Society's approval, which checks the whole recipe.

Trade marks

The listing notes that Seabrook Crisps and the Seabrook logo are registered trade marks.

Onion and citric acid

Onion powder and citric acid give the cheese seasoning a light, savoury tang.

Allergens and diet

The published ingredients highlight milk, in the whey powder and cheese powder, and the published listing gives no may contain advice. The pack says the bites are gluten free and approved by the Vegetarian Society; they are not vegan, because of the milk. Recipes and factory arrangements change, so check the allergy advice on the pack you receive.

73 calories

The pack front says 73 kcal per bag, and the label gives 73 kcal (305 kJ) for each 16g bag, sized for a lunchbox or a snack between meals.

Six small bags

Six 16g bags make a school week of lunchboxes with one to spare.

The pack

The orange outer bag carries the Seabrook roundel logo, the words waffle bites in large letters, extra cheesy flavour, a single waffle bite, a 73 kcal per bag roundel, a 6 bags mark and a front of pack nutrition strip.

Who it suits

A cheesy, crunchy corn bite in a small bag suits lunchboxes and anyone avoiding gluten, and the Vegetarian Society approval suits most tables. It is not suitable for anyone avoiding milk.

In a lunchbox

A bag goes beside a sandwich, a yoghurt and a piece of fruit.

In the kitchen

Crushed, the bites make a cheesy, gluten free crumb for the top of a macaroni cheese made with gluten free pasta.

Storage and packaging

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

At a party

Tip a few bags into a bowl for a children's party, beside the Maple Bacon Waffle Bites.

With a dip

A flat waffle square scoops a little dip: try a tomato salsa.

Other Waffle Bites

We also stock Seabrook Waffle Bites Maple Bacon in the same six bag multipack.

The tasting notes on this page are our own editorial assessment against the current pack format and the brand's published description.