What Exactly are Kraft Crumbles?
Kraft Crumbles are a line of pre-crumbled cheese products manufactured and sold by Kraft Natural Cheese, a division of Kraft Heinz. Unlike shredded cheese, which comes in long, thin strands, crumbles are unevenly-sized pieces of cheese designed for a distinct texture and convenience. This saves consumers the effort of crumbling blocks of cheese by hand. The crumbles come in a variety of blends, each crafted from specific natural cheeses to achieve a desired flavor profile.
Popular Varieties of Kraft Crumbles
Kraft offers several distinct crumble blends to suit different culinary needs. These varieties are crafted from different combinations of cheese, providing a range of flavors for different recipes:
- Three Cheese Crumbles: One of the most common varieties, this blend features Monterey Jack, Colby, and Cheddar cheeses. It is known for its balanced, versatile flavor, making it suitable for a wide range of dishes, from salads to melted sandwiches.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: This variety is made from blue cheese and offers a tangy, pungent flavor with a characteristic melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's excellent for adding a bold taste to salads, burgers, and dressings.
- Italian Style Crumbles: Featuring a blend of cheeses like Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, and Asiago, this product is tailored for Italian dishes. It provides a savory flavor perfect for pizzas, lasagnas, and other baked pasta dishes.
- Mexican Style Crumbles: This blend often includes reduced-fat Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Mozzarella, making it ideal for tacos, enchiladas, and other Tex-Mex cuisine.
Ingredients and How They Prevent Caking
The ingredient list for Kraft Crumbles is fairly straightforward, based primarily on pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. However, like many pre-packaged cheese products, Kraft Crumbles contain additional ingredients to improve their shelf life and usability. For example, the Three Cheese Crumbles contain potato starch, cellulose powder, and calcium sulfate to prevent the pieces from caking together in the package. Natamycin, a natural mold inhibitor, is also often added to prolong freshness. These anti-caking agents are a key difference between block cheese that you grate at home and the convenient pre-crumbled version.
Culinary Applications for Kraft Crumbles
Because of their distinct texture and pre-portioned nature, Kraft Crumbles are particularly well-suited for several culinary uses:
- Sprinkled on Salads: The crumbles are the perfect size for adding a burst of flavor and texture to a fresh salad. Blue Cheese Crumbles are a classic choice for a wedge salad, while the Three Cheese or Italian Style can elevate a simple side salad.
- As a Garnish: They can be used as a finishing touch on soups, chili, and baked potatoes. The small, uneven pieces melt nicely and provide visual interest.
- Integrated into Pasta Dishes: Stirring crumbles into hot pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese or spaghetti adds pockets of creamy, cheesy flavor. They blend well and create a more textured result than completely melted shredded cheese.
- Melting in Quesadillas and Grilled Cheese: While shredded cheese is common, crumbles can melt just as effectively and sometimes more evenly, especially in quesadillas and sandwiches.
- Stuffing Burgers: Blue cheese crumbles can be mixed into ground beef before cooking to create a delicious, savory blue cheese-stuffed burger.
Comparison: Kraft Crumbles vs. Shredded Cheese
| Feature | Kraft Crumbles | Shredded Cheese | Block Cheese (for grating) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Uneven, distinct crumbles that retain shape well. | Uniform, thin strands that melt evenly and consistently. | Customizable to desired size (grated, shredded, etc.). |
| Melting | Melts well, creating a creamy texture with pockets of flavor. | Melts very smoothly and quickly, often without clumping. | Can melt smoothly or remain textured, depending on the cheese type and shred size. |
| Convenience | Very high; pre-crumbled and ready to use out of the bag. | High; pre-shredded and ready to use, slightly less versatile for texture. | Low; requires time and effort for grating or crumbling by hand. |
| Ingredients | Typically includes anti-caking agents to prevent clumping. | Most pre-shredded varieties also contain anti-caking additives. | Minimal ingredients (milk, culture, salt, enzymes); no additives. |
| Flavor | A blend of multiple cheeses for a specific flavor profile. | Often a single variety or pre-mixed blend with consistent flavor. | Pure, unadulterated flavor of a single cheese variety. |
| Best For | Salads, pasta dishes, adding texture and flavor pops. | Sauces, casseroles, baked dishes where uniform melting is key. | Snacking, charcuterie boards, recipes where fresh cheese is essential. |
A Note on Nutritional Content
The nutritional content of Kraft Crumbles varies slightly by flavor. For example, a 1/4 cup serving of the Three Cheese blend contains approximately 110 calories, with 9g of total fat (5g saturated) and 180mg of sodium. The Blue Cheese variety may have different values, so it is always wise to check the specific nutrition label on the package for the most accurate information. Generally, these products are a good source of calcium, but they are also relatively high in fat and sodium, so moderation is advised.
Conclusion
Kraft Crumbles offer a convenient and versatile solution for adding a specific cheesy texture and flavor to a variety of dishes. Made from blends of real, natural cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, and Cheddar, they are a practical alternative to shredding block cheese. While they contain anti-caking agents to maintain their crumbled form, they are a delicious and reliable ingredient for enhancing everything from a simple salad to a rich pasta dish. The choice between crumbles and shredded cheese ultimately comes down to personal preference for texture and convenience in the kitchen.
Here is a recipe for a great salad using Kraft Blue Cheese Crumbles
