A nice cheesy snack is an excellent reward at the end of the day and a nice little treat for a lunch box if you have kids. But which cheese snack should you choose? Hawkins Cheezies and Cheetos are both popular.
But what are the differences, and which one is better?
The first difference is that Hawkins Cheezies come from Canada, while Cheetos are produced in the USA. They both are the same type of snack product but look slightly different.
Let’s look at more details to see whether there are more differences.
Hawkins Cheezies
W.T. Hawkins LTD, the manufacturer of Hawkins Cheezies, has been based in Belleville (Ontario, Canada) since 1956. But the actual snack has been around since the 1940s and resulted from an experiment.
It is a cornmeal snack cooked in vegetable shortening and then coated in aged cheddar.
Hawkins Cheezies are seen as a Canadian snack icon and can be bought in stores all over Canada. But they have also become popular in the USA, and ordering them via Amazon is easy.
There are different options available:
The Hawkins Cheezies share pack is a good-sized option for snacking with friends or family.
The Hawkins Cheezies Big Boy Triple pack weighs a whopping 420g and is perfect if you go through loads of Cheezies. The pack is divided into three smaller packs, so you don’t have to worry about the Cheezies becoming stale.
If you want to put some smaller packs into your kid’s lunch box (or your own), you will find the multipack with 14 x 28g bags of Hawkins Cheezies a perfect solution.
The massive pack of 36 x 36g bags of Hawkins Cheezies is a slightly bigger snack or lunch box option.
What are the Ingredients in Hawkins Cheezies?
Compared to some other snack foods, the ingredient list of Hawkins Cheezies is relatively short:
Corn Meal, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Processed Aged Cheddar Cheese Seasoning, Lactic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Salt and Certified Color (Contains Tartrazine (E102)).
Are Hawkins Cheezies Bad for You?
Like most snack foods, Hawkins Cheezies can’t be called healthy, but as long as you snack in moderation, they will not be a problem. Read our full article on “Are Hawkins Cheezies Bad for You?” here.
How Long do Hawkins Cheezies last?
An unopened bag for Hawkins Cheezies will last six months after the production date. To get the best flavor, you should consume an opened bag within 3-4 days.
Are Hawkins Cheezies Vegetarian or Vegan?
Hawkins Cheezies are vegetarian but not vegan.
Cheetos
Cheetos were invented in 1948 by Fritos, but they are now part of the Pepsi-Cola Company.
Cheetos were once the most popular cheese puffs in the USA and are now available in a wide variety of flavors and shapes (this is one big difference compared to Hawkins Cheezies).
What kind of Cheetos are available today?
Cheetos Crunchy is a crunchier version of the classic cheese puffs.
Cheetos Puffs cheese-flavored snacks are closest to what the original Cheetos used to be like.
Cheetos Popcorn is Cheetos in a convenient round shape that makes snacking easy. You can get them in a classic flavor and two hotter options if you like it spicy.
Oven-baked Cheetos aims to be a slightly healthier version of the cheesy snack. You can find regular oven baked Cheetos or you can purchase their Flamin Hot Baked Cheetos.
What are the Ingredients in Cheetos?
Cheetos Crunchy have a considerable longer ingredient list than Hawkins Cheezies:
Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil), Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Canola Oil, Maltodextrin [Made from Corn], Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Yellow 6]), and Salt.
Each Cheetos product has it’s own ingredients list that can be found on the back of the Cheetos bag.
Are Cheetos Bad for You?
If you eat too many of them all the time, then yes, they are bad for you. They are salty snacks with plenty of calories.
Don’t overdo it, and you will be fine – it’s common sense when it comes to snacking. Moderation is fine, but of course healthy food can be subjective from one person to the next.
How Long Do Cheetos last?
Cheetos can stay nice for six months after production if you do not open the bag. Once you open a bag, you should eat them within a couple of days or store them properly to avoid them turning stale.
Are Cheetos Vegetarian or Vegan?
Cheetos are never vegan, and some versions are unsuitable for vegetarians as they are produced with animal enzymes and animal rennet.
This means that Crunchy Cheese, Cheddar Jalapeno, and Flamin’ Hot Cheese are not vegetarian.
Most other Cheetos products are suitable for vegetarians. Make sure to read the ingredient list for each carefully.
Read our related article: Cheetos vs Chesters | What’s the Difference?
Comparison Questions (Hawkins Cheezies vs Cheetos):
Which Last Longer?
They both have similar best-before dates and can keep a few days once the bags are opened. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container if you eat only some of the pack in one go.
Are Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos More Affordable?
As so many different versions of Cheetos are available, there is a bigger price difference between the options; some are cheaper than Hawkins Cheezies, while others are more expensive.
On average, there isn’t that much of a price difference.
Which is More Environmentally Friendly?
This is a difficult question because the two companies work on totally different scales. Hawkins is very quiet about their environmental impact and whether they aim to make any improvements.
In that regard, Cheetos wins because there is plenty of information available about how the company behind them is trying various things to reduce their negative impact on the planet.
Cheetos works at a larger scale and they definitely have a larger environmental impact, but that’s mainly based on company size rather than impact per bag or manufacturing plant.
Which Has Been on the Market for Longer?
Both products were invented in the 1940s, so they have been around for more or less the same time.
The difference is that Cheetos has changed significantly over time and added more shapes and flavors to its line. Hawkins Cheezies are still one product with one flavor.
Are Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos Gluten-Free?
While they are theoretically gluten-free, they are not certified gluten-free. This means there is a chance of cross-contamination, so if you are very sensitive to gluten and even a tiny amount can cause issues, you should stick to certified gluten-free products.
Read our related post on Cheetos vs Doritos here.
Related Questions
Can Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos Cause Diarrhea?
The standard flavors are generally not an issue, but some of Cheetos’ hotter flavors are known to cause diarrhea, especially if you consume too many. The problem with these flavors is that they can be very spicy and contain artificial colors that can hurt your digestion.
Don’t worry if you eat normal amounts – it only causes an issue if you eat them excessively.
Can I Eat Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos When Pregnant?
Yes, you can eat both options when pregnant – as long as you keep in mind that overconsumption can negatively affect you (see the diarrhea question above).
Is There Real Cheese in Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos?
Yes, there is real cheese in Hawkins Cheezies and Cheetos.
Can I Feed Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos to my Dog or Cat?
Your dog or cat might beg you to share some Cheezies or Cheetos with them – but don’t. Human snacks are generally not meant for your pets.
They are too salty, too spicy, have too much fat, and all the artificial ingredients are not suitable for pets. Keep them safe and only feed them their proper food.
The Verdict – Which Is Better? Hawkins Cheezies or Cheetos?
In the fight Hawkins Cheezies vs Cheetos, I think there is a clear winner if you are seeking a classic Cheese puff that tastes cheesy and has the right texture: The Canadian Hawkins Cheezies.
While Cheetos are fantastic for people who like a wider variety of options, Hawkins Cheezies does the classic version best and can’t be beaten. Sometimes it does pay off to focus on one type of flavor.
In terms, of company size and product awareness, Cheetos wins the battle. They are manufactured at a much larger scale and sold throughout the USA, and many other countries worldwide, where Hawkins Cheezies are a smaller sized company in Canada doing much smaller production.
