Combos Cheddar Cheese Baked Pretzel Snacks, 13.5 Oz. Bag, 13 inch
✅ PROS
- Cheddar filling is genuinely cheesy with a sharp, savory bite — not the bland paste you find in cheaper knockoffs
- Pretzel shell stays crunchy even days after opening, provided you seal the bag properly
- 13.5 oz bag is a solid value for road trips, office desks, or stocking a snack drawer
❌ CONS
- Sodium runs high at 340mg per serving — easy to blow past a daily limit if you're not portioning
- Bag arrives partially filled due to settling during shipping; you're getting 13.5 oz by weight, but it looks thin
The Verdict
Let me be direct: Combos are a snack aisle relic that somehow refuses to die, and for good reason. The Cheddar Cheese Baked Pretzel variety — the one that’s been around since the Reagan administration — still holds up better than most modern “protein snacks” that taste like compressed sawdust. I’ve eaten these on road trips, at my desk, and during more than one 2 AM deadline. Here’s the honest breakdown after working through this 13.5 oz bag.
What you actually get
This is a single bag, not a box. The 13.5-ounce size is the big one — roughly 12 servings per the nutrition label, though let’s be real: most people eat half the bag in one sitting. Each piece is a crunchy pretzel shell about the size of a large marble, filled with a processed cheddar paste that’s surprisingly flavorful. The filling has a sharp, tangy bite that tastes like actual cheese powder, not the oily goop you get from generic store brands. As shown in the product image, the pieces are uniform in size and coating — no crushed crumbs at the bottom of the bag, which is more than I can say for other brands.
Real-world performance
The texture balance is the selling point here. The pretzel exterior has a satisfying snap that gives way to a soft, almost creamy center. That contrast is why these are dangerously easy to binge. I tested shelf life by leaving the bag open overnight by accident — the pieces were still crunchy the next morning, though slightly less crisp than day one. Properly sealed, they’ll hold up for weeks without going stale. Flavor-wise, the cheddar is present but not overwhelming; it’s salty, savory, and has a mild tang that doesn’t coat your mouth with fake orange residue.
What buyers consistently say
The 4.4-star rating across 220 reviews tracks with what I found. The consensus praise centers on the taste being “addictive” and the portion size being “perfect for sharing” — though several reviewers admit they don’t actually share. One verified buyer noted, “These are the only snack my picky kids and I both agree on.” Another mentioned they “taste exactly like they did 20 years ago,” which is either a compliment or a warning depending on your nostalgia tolerance.
Where it falls short
Two things bug me. First, the sodium content is no joke — 340mg per serving, which is about 15% of your daily recommended intake. If you’re not portioning, you’ll hit 1,000mg before you realize the bag is half empty. Second, the bag arrives looking about two-thirds full due to settling during transit. It’s still 13.5 ounces by weight, but the visual shrinkage is off-putting if you’re expecting a packed bag.
Who should buy this
Grab a bag if you’re a road-tripper who wants something that won’t melt in the car, a desk snacker who needs a savory break from sweet granola bars, or a parent packing lunchboxes and tired of the same boring chips. Skip it if you’re watching sodium, or if you prefer snacks with real cheese ingredients rather than processed cheese powder.
FAQ
Are these suitable for vegetarians? Yes. The ingredients list includes whey and cheese cultures but no animal rennet, so vegetarians are generally in the clear.
How long do they stay fresh after opening? About two weeks if you seal the bag tightly. Use a clip or transfer to an airtight container — the pretzel pieces absorb humidity fast.
Can I buy these in bulk? Yes, Amazon frequently offers multi-pack options, and the price per ounce drops noticeably at the three-pack level.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a classic, reliably good cheddar-filled pretzel snack and don’t mind the sodium. Skip it if you’re on a low-salt diet or need a snack that won’t disappear in one sitting. At 4.2/5, this is a solid, no-regrets purchase for the nostalgia-driven snacker — just don’t pretend you’ll make the bag last a week.
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Where to Buy
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.
Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.