
Cheetos are a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. They were invented in 1948 by Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin and are now sold in over 36 countries. The snack is known for its cheese flavour, but are Cheetos made out of real cheese? The answer is yes, they are made with real cheese, specifically cheddar cheese, and it takes 11 million gallons of milk to make the 10 million pounds of cheddar cheese used in Cheetos seasoning annually. However, Cheetos also contain other ingredients such as vegetable oil, salt, artificial flavours and colours, and whey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Made with real cheese | Yes |
| Type of cheese | Skim milk, except for White Cheddar Cheez-It® crackers which use full-fat milk |
| Vegan | No |
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What You'll Learn

Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese
The process of making Cheez-Its begins with cracker dough, which is flattened into thin sheets, cut, and layered. A savory dose of salt is then added before the sheets are sent through a conveyor belt into a massive oven. After baking, they are cut into the iconic 1x1 inch squares. The "docker hole" in the center of each cracker is a key design feature that helps release air and moisture during baking.
The combination of real cheese and the unique baking process gives Cheez-Its their distinct, cheesy flavour and crunchy texture. The company has been open about the fact that real cheese is one of the secrets to their product's delicious taste.
While the exact type of cheese used in Cheez-Its may not be publicly disclosed, the ingredient list on the product packaging provides transparency for consumers. The use of 100% real cheese sets Cheez-Its apart from other similar snacks and contributes to their popularity.
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White Cheddar Cheez-Its are made with full-fat milk
Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, which is proudly advertised on their packaging. The original Cheez-Its are made with cheese from skim milk, but White Cheddar Cheez-Its are made with full-fat milk. The white cheddar variety is also available in a homemade version, with a recipe that uses extra-sharp white cheddar cheese.
Cheez-Its were first launched in 1921 and were rightfully named so because they are made with real cheese. The white cheddar variety is made with white cheddar cheese, milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. These crackers are also made with enriched flour, vegetable oil, and whey, and include natural and artificial flavors.
The white cheddar crackers are described as being deliciously cheesy, light, and crispy, with a hint of salt for added flavor. They are a popular snack, enjoyed at family movie nights, lunchtime, and as an afternoon pick-me-up.
White Cheddar Cheez-Its are not suitable for vegans, as they are made with real dairy cheese. They also contain ingredients derived from wheat and milk, which are considered major food allergens according to the FDA.
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Cheez-Its are not vegan
Cheez-It crackers have always been made with real cheese. When the crackers were first launched in 1921, they were rightfully named Cheez-Its because of this key ingredient. The company behind the crackers, Cheez-It®, even states that it is the use of 100% real cheese that makes its crackers so delicious.
The crackers are made by first preparing a dough, which is then flattened by rollers into thin sheets. After being cut, the sheets are layered into pastry-like perfection, and a savory dose of salt is then layered over the entire dough sheet. The sheets are then sent through a conveyor belt into a massive oven. After baking, the crackers are cut into 1x1 inch squares of bite-sized, cheesy, crunchy goodness.
The unique "docker hole" in the centre of each cracker is one of the key design features that makes the snack instantly recognizable. It also helps release air and moisture as the crackers bake.
In summary, Cheez-Its are not vegan as they contain real cheese, which is a non-vegan ingredient.
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Cheez-Its are made with skimmed milk
Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, and the primary ingredient in these snack crackers is dairy cheese, making them unsuitable for vegans. The cheese used is made with skimmed milk, except for the White Cheddar flavour, which uses full-fat milk.
Cheez-Its were first launched in 1921 and were named as such because they are made with real cheese. The company, Cheez-It®, has revealed that this is their secret to deliciousness. The cheese is combined with enriched flour and vegetable oil, and a touch of salt is added to create the savoury flavour. The dough is then flattened, cut, and layered into thin, crunchy squares.
The unique "docker hole" in the centre of each cracker is a key design feature, instantly recognisable as a Cheez-It® product. This hole also serves a functional purpose, helping to release air and moisture as the crackers bake, ensuring the perfect crunchy texture.
Cheez-Its come in a variety of flavours, including the original, White Cheddar, and Grooves®. The company has also released Cheez-It® Snap'd® and Cheez-It® Puff'd® snacks, which offer different textures and flavours for consumers to enjoy.
While the exact type of cheese used in Cheez-Its is not explicitly stated, the combination of real cheese, crunchy texture, and savoury flavour has made Cheez-Its a beloved snack for many.
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Cheez-Its are baked
Cheez-Its are made with a combination of enriched flour, vegetable oil, and cheese made with skim milk. The flour includes wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. The vegetable oil can be high oleic soybean, soybean, palm, or canola oil with TBHQ for freshness. The cheese is made with skim milk, whey protein, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, and annatto extract color.
While the original Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, there are also other varieties available, such as White Cheddar Cheez-Its, which are made with full-fat milk. Cheez-It also offers a range of other flavours, including Extra Toasty, Extra Crunchy Bold Cheddar, Extra Cheesy, and Hidden Valley Ranch. These variations provide consumers with a diverse range of options while maintaining the signature baked crunch that Cheez-Its are known for.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese.
All Cheez-It crackers are made with skim milk, except for White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, which are made with full-fat milk.
No, Cheez-Its are not vegan-friendly as they contain dairy cheese, which is made from animal milk.
Other ingredients include enriched flour, vegetable oil, whey protein, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, and annatto extract colour.
Cheez-It crackers were first launched in 1921.

























