What are Cheezels Made Out Of? The Ingredients Revealed

November 10, 2025 •

2 min read

Made from 100% Australian corn and rice, Cheezels have been a beloved snack since their creation in 1971. What are Cheezels made out of beyond these base ingredients, and what gives them their unique, cheesy, and crunchy appeal? The secret lies in a carefully crafted blend of cereals, oils, and powdered flavourings.

Quick Summary

Cheezels are a puffed, ring-shaped snack made primarily from a base of corn and rice, giving them a light and crispy texture. Their signature cheddar cheese flavor comes from a combination of cheese powder, flavor enhancers like 621 and 635, and natural colors derived from paprika and carotene.

Key Points

Base Ingredients: Cheezels are primarily made from a blend of corn and rice, which gives them their light, crisp, and airy texture.
Cheesy Flavour: The signature taste comes from a combination of cheese powder, milk solids, and potent flavour enhancers like monosodium glutamate (621) and disodium 5’-ribonucleotides (635).
Puffed Texture: Their unique crunch is created using an extrusion process where the cereal dough is heated and pressurised before being rapidly puffed upon release.
Colouring: The vibrant orange colour of Cheezels is achieved with natural food colours, specifically paprika extract and carotene.
Allergens: Cheezels contain milk and may contain traces of soy, so consumers with related allergies should be aware.
Vegetarian-Friendly: Despite being cheese-flavoured, Cheezels are suitable for vegetarians due to their dairy-based ingredients and lack of meat products.
Iconic Shape: Cheezels' famous ring shape is a direct result of the specific die used during the extrusion process, designed for 'finger-licious fun'.

The Core Components of Cheezels

The ingredient list for Cheezels can be broadly categorized into the cereal base, oils, dairy components, and flavouring/colouring agents. This combination creates the distinct crunchy, airy ring with an intense cheddar taste.

Cereals and Oils: The Foundation

The base of Cheezels is a mix of corn and rice. These cereals are cooked, formed into a dough, and then extruded into rings. Extrusion involves high heat and pressure, causing the dough to puff up when it exits, resulting in a light texture.

Corn: A main cereal providing structure.
Rice: Used with corn for a crisp texture.
Vegetable Oil: A blend of palmolein and sunflower oils used for cooking and carrying flavour.

The Cheesy Flavour

Cheezels' cheesy flavour comes from cheese powder, milk solids, and flavour enhancers. This blend creates a savoury taste that makes them distinct.

Cheese Powder: Provides the primary cheese taste.
Milk Solids/Powder: Adds creamy notes and helps bind flavours.
Flavour Enhancers: Including 621 (monosodium glutamate) and 635 (disodium 5’-ribonucleotides), these amplify the savoury cheese flavour.

The Finishing Touches: Colour and Spice

Natural colours provide the signature orange hue, while spices add depth to the flavour.

Natural Colours: Paprika extract and carotene are used for the orange colour.
Spices and Extracts: Ingredients like onion powder add flavour complexity.
Food Acid (262): Acetic acid helps balance the flavour.

Comparison: Cheezels vs. Other Cheese Snacks


Feature	Cheezels	American Cheetos	Canadian Cheezies
Core Ingredients	Corn and Rice	Cornmeal	Cornmeal
Texture	Lighter, airier, and crisper ring shape	Varies by variety (e.g., crunchy, puffy)	Denser, more compact puff
Flavour Profile	Intense, savoury cheddar with prominent flavour enhancers	Often a more straightforward cheddar taste	Also a strong cheddar flavour, but with a different texture
Shape	Iconic finger-sized rings	Variety of shapes, including puffs and curls	Small, chunky curls or puffs
Country of Origin	Australia	United States	Canada

Are Cheezels Vegetarian or Halal?

Cheezels are generally vegetarian due to their dairy content. Halal status can vary by region and manufacturing practices; specific halal-certified versions exist in some markets. Always check the packaging for certifications.

Conclusion

Cheezels are an extruded snack made from corn and rice, shaped into rings. Their cheesy flavour comes from milk solids, cheese powder, and flavour enhancers, with natural colours giving them their orange appearance. The extrusion process creates their light, crispy texture, making them a distinctive cheese-flavoured snack enjoyed in Australia and beyond.

How are extruded snacks like Cheezels made?

Extrusion is crucial for Cheezels' puffy texture. Cereal dough is pushed through a die under heat and pressure. As it exits, the pressure drop turns water to steam, puffing the snack. The die determines the shape, and the expansion creates the crispy structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cereals in Cheezels are corn and rice, which are combined to form the dough that is later extruded to create the puffy snack.

Cheezels' strong cheese flavour comes from a combination of cheese powder and powerful flavour enhancers, specifically 621 (monosodium glutamate) and 635 (disodium 5’-ribonucleotides), which intensify the savoury taste.

Yes, Cheezels are considered vegetarian, as they are made with dairy-derived ingredients like milk solids and cheese powder rather than any meat products.

The puffy and crunchy texture is a result of the extrusion process. The dough is heated under pressure and then forced out of a die, causing the moisture inside to turn to steam and puff up the snack as it expands.

The distinctive orange colour is derived from natural food colours. The ingredient list specifies paprika extract and carotene as the colouring agents.

Yes, product information indicates that Cheezels 'may contain soy'. This means that while it's not a primary ingredient, there is a risk of cross-contamination.

The main differences lie in their core ingredients and texture. Cheezels use a corn and rice blend for a lighter, airy ring shape, while Cheetos are typically made from cornmeal and come in various shapes and textures.