What are the ingredients in Great Value honey graham crackers?

November 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Instacart and Spoonful, a typical box of Great Value Honey Graham Crackers contains a blend of enriched wheat and graham flour, sugars, oils, honey, and several additives. Understanding what are the ingredients in Great Value Honey Graham Crackers is key for those watching their diet or managing allergies.

Quick Summary

An analysis of Great Value Honey Graham Crackers reveals a mix of flours, multiple sweeteners, oils, leavening agents, and preservatives. It also details the primary allergens and clarifies the purpose of common food additives found in the product.

Key Points

Flour Blend: The crackers are made from a mix of enriched wheat flour and graham flour (whole wheat flour) to create their classic texture.
Multiple Sweeteners: Despite the 'honey' name, the crackers use sugar, honey, and other sweeteners like invert sugar and dextrose for their flavor profile.
Vegetable Oil Blend: A combination of oils, including canola, soybean, and sometimes palm oil, provides the crackers' texture and consistency.
Leavening Agents: Ingredients like baking soda, calcium phosphate, and ammonium bicarbonate are used to ensure the crackers rise and achieve their desired crispiness.
Contains Allergens: The product contains common allergens, primarily wheat and soy, and may also contain traces of milk and eggs.
Preservatives and Additives: To maintain freshness and quality, ingredients like sodium sulfite, TBHQ, and soy lecithin are included.
Ultra-Processed Status: Due to the mix of flours, sweeteners, and additives, the crackers are classified as an ultra-processed food by some health organizations.

A Closer Look at the Primary Ingredients

The ingredient list for Great Value Honey Graham Crackers highlights a recipe featuring flours, various sugars and oils, and flavoring agents to achieve their texture, taste, and color.

The Flour Base: Enriched and Whole Grain

The foundation uses a combination of enriched flour, which is refined wheat flour with added nutrients like B vitamins and iron, and graham flour, a coarser whole wheat flour contributing to the classic texture and flavor.

Sweeteners and Flavoring

The sweetness comes from multiple sources: sugar, honey for its distinct flavor, and potentially other sugars like invert sugar or dextrose which also aid browning and texture. Natural and artificial flavors are added to enhance the overall taste and aroma.

Oils, Leavening, and Preservatives

A blend of oils, such as canola, soybean, and/or palm oil, provides texture. Leavening agents like baking soda, calcium phosphate, and ammonium bicarbonate help the crackers rise to become light and crispy. Soy lecithin is included as an emulsifier for smooth texture, while sodium sulfite and potentially TBHQ are used as preservatives to maintain freshness. Salt is added to balance sweetness.

Comparison: Great Value vs. Traditional Honey Graham Crackers

Examining the ingredients of Great Value in contrast to a traditional brand like Nabisco's Honey Maid can reveal key differences and similarities.


Ingredient Category	Great Value Honey Graham Crackers	Honey Maid Graham Crackers (Classic)	Analysis of Difference
Flour	Enriched Wheat Flour, Graham Flour (Whole Wheat Flour)	Unbleached Enriched Flour, Graham Flour (Whole Grain Wheat Flour)	Both use a blend of enriched and whole wheat flour. The core flour composition is very similar.
Sweeteners	Sugar, Honey, Invert Sugar, Dextrose	Sugar, Honey, High Fructose Corn Syrup	Both contain sugar and honey, but the specific secondary sweeteners vary. Some Great Value formulas may not use High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Fats/Oils	Canola and/or Soybean and/or Palm Oil	Soybean Oil with TBHQ for freshness	The type of oil blend can differ. Great Value's ingredients sometimes mention a mix including canola, soybean, and palm oil, while Honey Maid explicitly states soybean oil with preservatives.
Leavening	Baking Soda, Calcium Phosphate, Ammonium Bicarbonate	Baking Soda, Calcium Phosphate	Great Value may include ammonium bicarbonate, which can differ from the standard leavening found in other brands.
Flavoring	Natural and Artificial Flavor	Artificial Flavor	Both use additional flavoring agents, which can either be natural, artificial, or a combination depending on the formula.

Potential Health and Allergy Considerations

The ingredient list includes wheat and soy as primary allergens. Traces of milk and eggs may also be present due to manufacturing processes. The combination of enriched flour and multiple sugars contributes to the carbohydrate content. Preservatives like TBHQ and sodium sulfite are used for freshness. Products with such ingredients are often categorized as ultra-processed foods. Moderate consumption is suggested, and pairing with nutrient-rich foods can improve the snack's nutritional balance. Understanding these ingredients helps in making informed dietary choices.

Conclusion

Great Value Honey Graham Crackers contain a mix of enriched and whole wheat flours, multiple sugars including honey, a blend of vegetable oils, leavening agents, and various food additives. This composition is designed to deliver the desired taste, texture, and shelf life of the product. This breakdown provides insight for consumers regarding the contents of this popular snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, real honey is listed as an ingredient, along with other sweeteners like sugar, to create the cracker's flavor.

Yes, Great Value Honey Graham Crackers contain wheat and soy. Some formulations may also contain traces of milk and eggs due to shared processing equipment.

The recipe uses a blend of vegetable oils, which can include canola, soybean, and/or palm oil, depending on the specific product formulation.

While both brands use a similar flour blend, the specific types of oils and secondary sweeteners can vary. For example, some Great Value versions may list different oil blends or additional leavening agents compared to Honey Maid.

They are not considered a highly nutritious food due to the use of enriched flour and multiple sugars. However, they are not necessarily unhealthy in moderation and can be a component of a snack when paired with nutrient-dense foods.

Soy lecithin acts as an emulsifier, which helps to blend the oil and water-based ingredients smoothly, resulting in a consistent texture.

According to groups like the EWG, products like Great Value graham crackers are classified as ultra-processed due to the use of multiple added sugars, refined ingredients, and various additives and preservatives.