What are SkyFlakes Made Out Of?

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Nielsen data cited in a 2021 report, Monde Nissin's biscuits—including the iconic SkyFlakes—held a market share of over 30% in the Philippines, highlighting their widespread popularity. This Filipino staple is beloved for its light, flaky texture and versatile flavor, but many wonder about the simple ingredients behind its success.

Quick Summary

SkyFlakes crackers are made primarily from a basic list of ingredients, including wheat flour, vegetable shortening (coconut and palm oil), sugar, salt, and yeast. The specific type of oil used, often a blend of coconut and palm oil, contributes to its unique texture compared to traditional American saltines.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The basic formula for SkyFlakes includes wheat flour, vegetable shortening (coconut and palm oil), sugar, salt, sodium bicarbonate (leavening agent), and yeast.
Distinct Fat Blend: Unlike American saltines, which often use soybean oil, SkyFlakes feature a combination of coconut and palm oils, which influences their unique texture and flavor.
Flaky Texture: The layered, flaky texture is achieved through the interaction of the leavening agent and vegetable shortening during the baking process.
Flavor Variations: Different SkyFlakes products, such as Condensada or Flaxseed, add extra ingredients like whey powder, flaxseed, or spices to create new flavors.
Versatile Snack: SkyFlakes are consumed in various ways, from a simple snack with spreads to a rice substitute or an ingredient in recipes.
Manufacturer: SkyFlakes are produced by Monde M.Y. San Corporation, a major food company based in the Philippines.

Core Ingredients Behind the Cracker

At their heart, SkyFlakes are a remarkably simple snack, relying on a few key ingredients to achieve their signature texture and taste. The core recipe includes:

Wheat Flour: This forms the base of the cracker, providing the structure and satisfying crunch.
Vegetable Shortening (Coconut and Palm Oil): Unlike American saltines that may use soybean oil, the shortening in SkyFlakes often comes from a mix of coconut and palm oil. This choice is partly due to regional availability and contributes to the cracker's distinct crispiness. Some variations may use hydrogenated oils.
Coconut Oil: In addition to the shortening, extra coconut oil is often listed to enhance the flavor and texture.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar is used to balance the flavor, creating a mildly sweet and salty profile.
Salt: Essential for flavor, iodized salt is a standard ingredient in most SkyFlakes varieties.
Leavening Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate or E500): Also known as baking soda, this helps the dough to rise and expand, creating the signature flaky layers.
Yeast: A crucial ingredient for fermentation, yeast contributes to the cracker's overall flavor and texture.

How SkyFlakes Are Made

The process of making SkyFlakes involves combining these basic ingredients into a simple dough. The dough is then rolled into thin sheets, which are layered and baked in an oven. The vegetable shortening and yeast work together to create the multiple flaky layers and light, airy texture that is characteristic of the cracker. After baking, the crackers are typically packaged to retain their oven-baked freshness, a quality for which the brand is well-known. The final product is a light, versatile snack that serves as a canvas for various toppings.

A Comparison: SkyFlakes vs. American Saltines

While both SkyFlakes and classic American saltines are plain crackers, their ingredients and regional preferences lead to some key differences in taste and texture. This table highlights some of the main contrasts:


Feature	SkyFlakes Crackers	American Saltines
Primary Fats	Typically a blend of coconut and palm oil.	Often uses soybean or partially hydrogenated soybean oil.
Crumb Texture	Distinctly flaky, with many layers due to the rolling and leavening process.	More dense and brittle, with a less pronounced flaky texture.
Saltiness	Mildly salty, with salt mixed into the dough rather than sprinkled on top.	Usually have salt generously sprinkled on the surface, leading to a stronger, more direct salty taste.
Flavor Profile	Slightly sweet and savory, with a subtle coconut oil undertone.	Predominantly savory and salty.
Origin	Philippines.	Primarily United States.

Specialty Variations and Their Ingredients

Beyond the original plain cracker, the manufacturer, Monde M.Y. San, offers several popular variations. These products introduce additional ingredients to create new flavor profiles:

SkyFlakes Condensada: Features a sweet cream filling, adding ingredients like whey powder, skimmed milk powder, and emulsifiers.
SkyFlakes Fit with Omega-3: Designed as a healthier option, this version includes ingredients like ground flaxseed to boost its Omega-3 content.
SkyFlakes Garlic Flavor: Infused with additional spices, natural and artificial flavors, and flavor enhancers to deliver a savory garlic taste.

The Versatility of SkyFlakes

One of the reasons for SkyFlakes' enduring popularity is its incredible versatility. The cracker's mild flavor and crisp texture make it an ideal accompaniment for a wide range of foods. It can be enjoyed on its own as a simple snack or used as a foundation for more elaborate meals and treats.

Here are some common ways to enjoy SkyFlakes:

As a substitute for rice: In many Filipino households, SkyFlakes are a comforting staple, often eaten alongside main dishes when rice is unavailable.
With spreads: They are perfect with a variety of spreads, from jams and cheese to peanut butter and tuna salad.
In recipes: SkyFlakes can be crushed and used as a coating for fried foods, or incorporated into desserts like chocolate-covered cracker bars.
With soup: The crackers are often crumbled and added to soup to provide a satisfying crunch.

What Sets SkyFlakes Apart

SkyFlakes' simple ingredient list is part of what makes it so appealing. The use of traditional fats like coconut and palm oil, combined with a precise baking method, produces a cracker that is both light and satisfying. This sets it apart from many other crackers on the market, giving it a unique place in the hearts of many snack enthusiasts around the world.

Conclusion

In summary, SkyFlakes are made from a straightforward set of ingredients: wheat flour, vegetable shortening from coconut and palm oils, sugar, salt, and yeast. These simple components, combined with a meticulous manufacturing process, create the distinctively flaky and subtly flavored cracker loved by many. Its enduring appeal lies in its reliable taste, versatility, and the comforting familiarity it holds for many consumers, especially within the Filipino diaspora.

Frequently Asked Questions

SkyFlakes crackers are manufactured by Monde M.Y. San Corporation, a Philippine-based food company that is part of the larger Monde Nissin Corporation.

The original SkyFlakes crackers do not contain animal products. However, some variations, like the 'Condensada' sandwich crackers, contain milk products and are not vegan. Always check the specific product label for confirmation.

Yes, the standard SkyFlakes crackers contain vegetable shortening derived from both coconut and palm oils.

Original SkyFlakes have a mild, balanced flavor that is both slightly sweet and savory, without being overtly salty or bland.

While the original crackers do not list soy as a primary ingredient, some versions and manufacturing facilities process products that contain soy. Some labels include warnings about potential traces of soy or milk.

SkyFlakes differ from American saltines in their fat source (coconut and palm oil vs. often soybean oil), lack of salt sprinkled on top, and a distinctively flaky texture compared to the more brittle American variety.

E500 is the European code for Sodium Carbonates, a common food additive used as a leavening agent, which helps the crackers rise and creates their light texture.