How do Simple Mills graham crackers compare to others?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Simple Mills' website, their Sweet Thins are made with a nutrient-dense seed and nut flour blend, setting a different standard for this classic treat. This raises the question: how do Simple Mills graham crackers compare to others, particularly regarding their ingredients, dietary benefits, and taste?

Quick Summary

This article offers a detailed comparison of Simple Mills Sweet Thins to traditional and other gluten-free graham cracker brands, covering ingredients, taste, texture, nutritional value, and dietary suitability.

Key Points

Grain-Free Ingredients: Simple Mills Sweet Thins are made with a nutrient-dense seed and nut flour blend (watermelon, cashew, sunflower, flax), not traditional wheat flour.
Clean Label: Simple Mills uses simple, recognizable, and often organic ingredients, avoiding artificial flavors and refined sugars.
Different Texture and Taste: They offer a lighter, crispier texture and a distinct flavor profile, unlike the dense, nostalgic crumb of conventional grahams.
Dietary Niche: They cater to specific dietary needs, including gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly diets, while conventional brands contain gluten.
Higher Price Point: Due to their premium, quality ingredients and specialized production, Simple Mills products are typically more expensive than mass-market brands.
Cross-Contamination Risk: Some sensitive gluten-free users have reported issues, as the products are made on a shared line with wheat, despite their grain-free nature.

Simple Mills: A Grain-Free Graham Alternative

Simple Mills doesn't produce a traditional graham cracker. Instead, their closest equivalent is the Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins, available in flavors like Honey Cinnamon and Chocolate Brownie. This grain-free product is formulated with clean, purposeful ingredients, diverging from the conventional flour-based graham cracker. The primary flour blend consists of watermelon seed, cashew, sunflower seed, and flax, offering a nutrient-dense base compared to refined wheat flour typically found in other brands.

The Ingredient Philosophy: Simple vs. Standard

Simple Mills' brand ethos focuses on using simple, wholesome ingredients without artificial additives, fillers, or refined sugars. They use unrefined coconut sugar for sweetness and organic coconut oil instead of inflammatory oils like canola or soybean oil found in many conventional grahams. The emphasis on grain-free and paleo-friendly ingredients caters to those with specific dietary restrictions or a focus on cleaner eating.

In contrast, many mainstream brands like Honey Maid use a combination of refined and whole wheat flours, with ingredients that can include high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and less desirable oils. The move toward a seed and nut flour blend by Simple Mills is a deliberate choice to offer a higher-quality, more nutrient-rich snack.

Taste and Texture: A Divergence from Tradition

Taste is a subjective but critical factor. For Simple Mills Sweet Thins, reviews often describe a sweet, honey-cinnamon flavor with a lighter, crispier texture than the dense, crumbly snap of a traditional graham. The unique flour blend gives it a distinct flavor profile, sometimes described as a cross between a graham cracker and a ginger snap. Some tasters find the texture satisfyingly light, while others might miss the nostalgic, hearty feel of a classic graham.

Other gluten-free brands offer different experiences. Schar Honeygrams, for example, are known to have a "nutty taste and somewhat sandy texture," with a flavor that doesn't exactly mimic Honey Maid. Pamela's Honey Grahams are noted for a good honey flavor but can be more crumbly. Kinnikinnick S'moreables are often described as being too thick and dense for s'mores.

Comparison Table: Simple Mills vs. Competitors


Feature	Simple Mills Sweet Thins	Honey Maid (Traditional)	Schar Honeygrams (GF)	Pamela's Honey Grahams (GF)
Main Ingredients	Seed & Nut Flour Blend (Watermelon, Cashew, Sunflower, Flax), Coconut Sugar	Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup	Corn Starch, Sugar, Honey, Soy Flour, Canola Oil	Sorghum Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Organic Honey
Dietary Profile	Gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly	Contains gluten and grain	Certified gluten-free, contains soy	Certified gluten-free
Taste	Light, crispy, sweet honey cinnamon with nutty notes	Classic, hearty, and sweet wheat-based flavor	Nutty and slightly sandy texture, distinct from traditional grahams	Strong honey and cinnamon flavor, but more crumbly
Fat Source	Organic Coconut Oil	Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, and/or Palm Oil	Canola Oil	Organic Palm Fruit Oil
S'mores Suitability	Good, but smaller and sturdier; better for s'mores dip	Excellent, large, and iconic for s'mores	Good size for s'mores, but potentially delicate/crumbly	Good, classic texture for s'mores

Simple Mills: A Premium, Health-Conscious Choice

Simple Mills positions itself as a premium, health-conscious alternative to both traditional and other gluten-free brands. Their use of nutrient-dense flours and unrefined sweeteners justifies a higher price point. For those seeking paleo-friendly, grain-free, and vegan options, Simple Mills Sweet Thins are an excellent choice. However, strict dietary monitoring for those with extreme sensitivities is needed, as some gluten-free customers have reported cross-contamination issues, though Simple Mills states they are processed on a shared line.

Conclusion

For those asking "how do Simple Mills graham crackers compare to others?", the answer depends on your priorities. Simple Mills Sweet Thins are not a direct imitation of a classic graham but a healthier, grain-free alternative with a distinct flavor and texture. If your priority is clean ingredients, a paleo-friendly profile, and a unique, light taste, Simple Mills is likely the winner despite the higher cost. For a more traditional graham experience, especially for s'mores, Honey Maid remains the classic, while other gluten-free brands like Schar and Pamela's offer different takes on a traditional texture and flavor profile. Ultimately, the best option is a matter of personal preference and dietary needs.

For further reading on clean eating and ingredient comparisons, consult sources like the Ingredient Inspector website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simple Mills Sweet Thins are grain-free, gluten-free crackers made from a seed and nut flour blend, while traditional graham crackers are wheat-based and contain gluten and refined sugar.

Simple Mills Sweet Thins are often considered a healthier option due to their clean ingredient list, use of unrefined sweeteners like coconut sugar, and exclusion of inflammatory oils and artificial additives found in many mainstream brands.

While sturdier than some gluten-free alternatives, their smaller size and crispier texture make them a less traditional choice for s'mores. They are a good alternative for s'mores dips or other dessert applications.

The taste of Simple Mills Sweet Thins is often described as a crisp, honey-cinnamon flavor with nutty undertones. This differs from Schar, which has a distinct nutty/sandy taste, and Pamela's, which offers a good honey flavor but is more crumbly.

While labeled gluten-free, Simple Mills products are made on shared equipment that processes wheat. Some highly sensitive users with Celiac disease have reported issues, so extreme caution is advised.

The higher price of Simple Mills products is due to the use of premium, nutrient-dense ingredients like seed and nut flours, coconut oil, and coconut sugar, which are more costly than the refined ingredients used in conventional snacks.

Simple Mills products are available at various retailers, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Target, and online at Amazon and the Simple Mills website.