The New Cheez-Its Aren’t Really Cheez-Its—But Are they Good?

Cheez-It’s newest innovation is really stretching the definition of a Cheez-It to its absolute logical limit. New Cheez-It Crunch involve cheese, sure, but they aren’t snack crackers—nay. They’re cornmeal based and while they’re still baked, they’re more like Cheetos than they’re like the Cheez-It crackers you know and love. They already went rogue with Cheez-It Puff’d, which were like Cheetos Puffs. Logically then, Cheez-It Crunch are like Cheetos Crunchy—but they’re shaped like little windows for maximum crunchification (I’m pretty sure that’s a Guy Fieri-ism—just go with it). Question is: Are they good? We tried New Cheez-It Crunch in two new flavors to find out. 

New Cheez-It!

Cheez-It Crunch Kick’n Nacho Cheese

Pros: To be totally honest, I don’t have a lot of positive things to say about this new Cheez-It Crunch flavor! Okay, okay, how about this: Cheez-It Crunch, are, in fact, crunchy! And I do like that they’re baked rather than fried. 

Cons: This is a weird, stinky cheese flavor. It’s a little old and stale tasting, and it makes the little squares themselves taste stale. As Pauly Shore once said in Spanish class in the landmark 1992 film Encino Man, “El queso es viejo y podrido.” There’s a little bit of a spice-y sort of flavor that nods toward nacho cheese (cumin, most likely). All in all, this is not a snack I’d be eager to return to.

Credit: Liv Averett / Cheez-It

Rating:

4/10

Sporks

New Cheez-It!

Cheez-It Crunch Zesty Jalapeno Cheddar 

Pros: These taste a lot like Jalapeno Cheddar Crunchy Cheetos. Are they as good as Jalapeno Cheddar Crunchy Cheetos? Nope. But they’re better than their Nacho-flavored counterparts, that’s for sure. There’s a touch of an aggressive, slightly unpleasant cheese flavor, but it’s ultimately overtaken by the fruitiness and heat of the jalapeno. These really have a nice kick, which you’ll appreciate if you gravitate toward jalapeno-flavored snackies. And, again, I like that these are baked.

Cons: When it comes down to it, I’m just not a huge fan of this concept. Maybe it’s because I think Cheez-Its are pretty perfect the way they are. Or maybe it’s because these are just a little weird and unnecessary. I wouldn’t turn them down if someone handed me a bag in the backseat on a roadtrip, but I wouldn’t seek them out.

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Where can you get new Cheez-It Crunch? 

Hey, glad you asked. These two flavors are currently rolling out to 7-Eleven stores in single-serve bags. In January 2026, full-size bags will hit grocery store snack aisles and there will be a third flavor in the mix: Sharp White Cheddar.