Corn nuts were introduced as a snack food in the U.S. in 1936 and have stood the test of time. Corn nuts can be made at home by soaking and then roasting corn kernels. However, “Corn Nuts” are a commercial brand of toasted corn snack loved by millions and sold in five flavors. All Corn Nuts flavors are delicious; but, are Corn Nuts vegan?
Corn Nuts are vegan! These snacks are made from roasted corn kernels and contain no animal products. Original Corn Nuts are a fairly healthy snack option. However, some Corn Nuts flavors contain questionable ingredients, like MSG and sucralose. The best healthier vegan alternatives to Corn Nuts are Enlightened Baba Bean Baba Boom, Bjorn Qorn Vegan Classic Popcorn, and Tiger Nuts.
Because corn nuts are portable and convenient, they are a popular snack option. In this article, we will look at the ingredients and nutritional value of the various flavors of Corn Nuts. We also review and recommend several healthier vegan options to Corn Nuts. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Are Corn Nuts a Healthy Snack?
Corn Nuts do have some health benefits. They are high in fiber and protein. However, they are also high in calories and relatively high in fat and sodium. Some Corn Nuts flavors also contain questionable ingredients like monosodium glutamate and sucralose. Like some other products that seem healthy, you might be better off making a different choice.
Corn Nuts Products and Nutritional Value
Let’s look at the ingredients and nutritional values of all five flavors of Corn Nuts.
Corn Nuts Original Flavor
Marketed as “corn to the core”.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Salt
Nutrition Per 1/3 Cup (28 g):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 160 mg Sodium
- 20 g Carbohydrates
- 1 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Corn Nuts Chile Picante
Aspicy and lemony Corn Nuts flavor.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Salt
- Corn oil
- Maltodextrin
- Paprika extract
- Monosodium glutamate
- Onion powder
- Spice
- Citric acid
- Garlic powder
- Natural flavor
- Tomato powder
Nutrition Per 1/3 Cup (28 g):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 250 mg Sodium
- 20 g Carbohydrates
- 1 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Corn Nuts BBQ
For those who love the taste of barbeque.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Salt, spices
- Monosodium glutamate
- Dried tomatoes
- Brown sugar
- Dried garlic
- Sodium diacetate
- Dried molasses
- Yeast extract
- Malic acid
- Paprika extract
- Natural favor
- Sucralose
- Acetic acid
Nutrition Per 1/3 Cup (28 g):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
- 20 g Carbohydrates
- 1 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Corn Nuts Ranch
If you like ranch flavor, you should definitely try these Corn Nuts.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Maltodextrin
- Salt
- Monosodium glutamate
- Dried corn syrup
- Tomato powder
- Onion powder
- Spices
- Sugar
- Garlic powder
- Sodium diacetate
- Malic acid
- Lactic acid
- Sodium citrate
- Citric acid
- Turmeric extract
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Vinegar
- Artificial color (Red 40 Lake)
Nutrition Per 1/3 Cup (28 g):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 200 mg Sodium
- 20 g Carbohydrates
- 1 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugar
Corn Nuts Jalapeno Cheddar
Because some like it hot!
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Maltodextrin
- Salt
- Monosodium glutamate
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Citric acid
- Lactic acid
- Natural flavor
- Jalapeno peppers
- Spice
- Paprika extract
Nutrition Per 1/3 Cup (28 g):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
- 20 mg Carbohydrates
- 1 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Healthy Alternatives to Corn Nuts
Although Corn Nuts have several tasty flavors, they can be high in sodium and fat. Some flavors also have unhealthy ingredients like MSG. Luckily there are many healthy snack options on the market. Let’s review some of the best Corn Nuts alternatives.
Enlightened Baba Bean Bada Boom, Sweet Siracha
A truly healthy and tasty snack.
Ingredients:
- Broad beans (fava beans)
- Sunflower oil
- Rice flour
- Seasoning (garlic, chili powder, onion, cane sugar, yeast, yeast extract, citric acid, paprika extract, malic acid, stevia)
- Sea salt
Nutrition Per 1 ounce (28 g):
- 100 Calories
- 3 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 130 mg Sodium
- 15 g Carbohydrates
- 5 g Fiber
- 1 g Sugars
Bjorn Qorn Vegan Classic Popcorn
This vegan, gluten-free popcorn is popped using solar energy!
Ingredients:
- Non-GMO popcorn
- Safflower oil
- Nutritional yeast
- Salt
Nutrition Per 1 ounce (28 g/about 2.5 cups):
- 140 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 200 mg Sodium
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 14 g Carbohydrates
- 3 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Tiger Nuts, Supreme Peeled
Like corn nuts, these snacks are not really nuts at all. They are actually tubers – similar to potatoes and carrots. They are delicious and claim to be one of the healthiest snacks in the world. This brand offers them in raw premium organic or supreme peeled options.
Ingredients:
- Organic Tiger Nuts
Nutrition Per 14 grams (about 20 nuts):
- 150 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 1g Polyunsaturated Fat
- 6 g Monounsaturated Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 18 g Carbohydrates
- 7 g Fiber
- 7 g Sugars (natural)
One Potato Two Potato Himalayan Pink Salt Root Veggie Chips
These chips are made from yummy vegetables like sweet potato, taro, and yuca. They are oven-roasted and salted with Himalayan pink salt. Delicious goodness!
Ingredients:
- A blend of root vegetables (sweet potato, taro, batata, parsnip, yuca)
- Sunflower and/or safflower oil
- Himalayan pink salt
- Beet juice concentrate (for color)
Nutrition Per 1 ounce (28 g/about 14 chips):
- 150 Calories
- 9 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 90 mg Sodium
- 17 g Carbohydrates
- 2 g Fiber
- 4 g Sugars
Enjoy Life Lentil Chips, Sea Salt Flavor
These “chips” are free from gluten, dairy, wheat, casein, peanuts, tree nuts, and many other common allergens. They also taste great!
Ingredients:
- Lentil chips (lentil flour, potato starch, salt, turmeric)
- Sunflower oil
- Sea salt
- Rosemary extract
Nutrition Per 28 grams:
- 140 Calories
- 7 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 300 mg Sodium
- 17 g Carbohydrates
- 0 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Thrive Market Non-GMO Banana Munchies, Buffalo Flavor
These vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO snacks are a delicious choice.
Ingredients:
- Banana chips (banana, coconut oil)
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne
- Onion powder
- Mustard
- Celery seed
Nutrition Per ½ Cup (28 g):
- 150 Calories
- 9 g Total Fat
- 8 g Saturated Fat
- 180 mg Sodium
- 0 g Cholesterol
- 14 g Carbohydrates
- Less than 1 g Fiber
- Less than 1 g Sugars
Oh! Nuts, Ranch Spiced Toasted Corn Nuggets
A Kosher corn nugget choice.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- High oleic canola oil
- Salt
- Sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Spices, including paprika
- Dehydrated vegetables (onion, garlic, tomato)
- Monosodium glutamate
- Barley malt flour
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Autolyzed yeast extract
- Natural smoke flavor
- Torula yeast
- Caramel color
- Extracts of paprika
- Silicon dioxide
Nutrition Per 1 ounce:
- 130 Calories
- 4 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 130 mg Sodium
- 21 g Carbohydrates
- 2 g Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Take Away
Corn Nuts are vegan and the original flavor is not a bad snack option. However, Corn Nuts are relatively high in fat and sodium. Several flavors of Corn Nuts contain ingredients that are best avoided.
There are now many vegan, healthy snack options on the market. Many of them are better options than Corn Nuts. The snacks reviewed above are delicious alternatives to Corn Nuts.
Related Questions
Are Corn Nuts gluten-free?
Yes. Corn Nuts are labeled gluten-free. Like popcorn, most brands are gluten-free. They should be safe for those with celiac disease or who are gluten-sensitive. Because ingredients can change, it is always best to review the ingredients list label of all products.
Are Corn Nuts, Nuts?
No, Corn Nuts are not nuts at all. They are roasted corn. So, they are safe for those with peanut and tree nut allergies.
Are Corn Nuts Keto?
No, Corn Nuts are not keto-friendly. Those following a keto diet, must strictly the number of carbohydrates they eat. Unfortunately, corn is a high-carbohydrate-rich food.
Since Corn Nuts are made from corn, they are also high in carbohydrates. Most people on a keto diet limit their carbs to between 20 and 50 grams. One small serving of Corn Nuts (1/3 cup) has 20 grams of carbohydrates. So, Corn Nuts are not likely to work in a keto diet.
Are Corn Nuts Kosher?
No, Corn Nuts are not Kosher. Some other brands of corn nuts claim to be kosher, but the snack brand “Corn Nuts” is not Kosher.
Are Corn Nuts GMO?
Probably not. Most products that are, in fact, non-GMO, would proudly proclaim that fact. However, Corn Nuts do not say anything about being non-GMO. Also, so much corn is now genetically modified. If you’re searching for a non-GMO snack, Corn Nuts are not a good choice.