Bite-size, feel-good, 1 ingredient Whisps are cheesy crisps

I found that snack at Costco — Whisps, which are Parmesan cheese crisps. The crisps by Cello are made from one (count it) wholesome ingredient. And maybe some air. They are baked, bite-size discs about the size of a quarter. They taste just like the crunchy bits that ooze from a grilled cheese sandwich or pizza and get all toasty and a little fried on the cooking pan.

Because there’s just one ingredient, Parmesan cheese, Whisps are high in protein and calcium, and low to zero in just about all other ingredients. Munching on them offers a real-food, feel-good snacking experience. Ten or 15 of them is all you need for satiety. They are gluten-, preservative-, sugar- and carb-free. The bonus flavor is umami.

Use them in composed dishes, too. Toss in a salad, add to a cheese tray or tuck into a sandwich.

The snack has everything going for it except the name. Whisps, say it fast three times. If the product tanks, point to the person who thought whisps sounded like crisps.

But point to Cello, artisan cheesemakers in Wisconsin, for its very bright, but cheesy, idea. Cello sources its milk from just four family-owned farms, all within 50 miles of its Lake Country Wisconsin Dairy facility.

A 9.5-ounce bag sells for about $9, and each bag contains 15 servings. Buy Whisps at Costco and Walmart stores or online: www.cellowhisps.com

The latest guilt-free addition to the Whisp product line is: Cheddar Cheese Crisps. Guess how many ingredients?

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COMPARING CHEESE CRACKERS 

— Cheez-It (Original) Crackers 

Flavor: Cheddar

First ingredient: Flour

Number of ingredients: 14

Serving size: 27 crackers

Calories: 150

Protein: 3 grams

— Cheese Nips Crackers 

Flavor: Cheddar

First ingredient: Flour

Number of ingredients: 15 (includes MSG)

Serving size: 29 crackers

Calories: 140

Protein: 3 grams

— Goldfish Parmesan Crackers 

Flavor: Parmesan cheese

First ingredient: Flour

Number of ingredients: 10

Serving size: 60 pieces

Calories: 140

Protein: 3 grams

— Whisps 

Flavor: Parmesan cheese

First ingredient: Parmesan cheese

Number of ingredients: 1

Serving size: 15 crisps

Calories: 100

Protein: 9 grams