Review: Quaker Popped Sweet Chili Rice Snacks

Editor's Note:  While the product has stayed the same, Quaker now markets these under a different named and they are now called "Quaker Popped Rice Snacks." The review below applies the same.

My handy Google Analytics stats tell me that people are searching for reviews on Quaker Quakes.  In fact, it is one of my top five search terms, so being the excellent blogger/promoter that I am (ha!) that wants to cater to the masses, that means it is time for another Quakes review and this time I'm sampling the Quaker Popped Sweet Chili Rice Snacks. Purchased on sale at Meijer for $1.00, this one is 130 calories per serving (about three per bag), which puts it in the higher calorie tier of the Quakes product line.

Texture...at this point I figure I should just devise some system to describe the texture of these things instead of going into constant detail.  So, here goes:  there are some Quakes that are airy, light and covered in a flavored powder.  I'll call those "Powdery Quakes" (examples include the Ranch variety).  Conversely, there are some Quakes that are dense, covered in a shiny flavor coating and are crunchy.  Let's call those "Plastic Quakes" (examples include the Caramel Corn or Chocolate variety).  These Sweet Chili flavored quakes are of the Powdery Quakes variety.

Now that I've got that taken care of, it's time to talk taste.  The sweet chili in these is definitely that.  The chili is both noticeable and flavorful.  The thing that makes it nice is that while the chili flavoring does pack a punch, it is a sweet punch so that it's not too spicy and it's not going to knock your socks off.  Well,  it's as sweet as chili can be.  If you love smoky chilis, you probably aren't going to like these.  If you like sweet chilis like I do, you are going to like these.  If you are scared of hot and/or spicy foods, this is a nice "starter kit" version that will allow you to feel a little heat, but won't make you go crying to momma.

Buy It or Fly By It?  BUY IT.  This is one of the top flavors in the "Powdery Quakes" group and I'd recommend it to everyone.  When it's on sale, buy multiple bags because like all the Quakes, these bags can get to be upwards of $2.00 or more when they are not on sale and that's certainly not going to help anyone's budget.  Word of warning though:  have some liquid on hand when eating these.  You aren't going to need it because of the heat, but instead you'll need it because the overabundance of powder can tend to dry your mouth out.

BUY IT!!