The Quick & Clean Snack I Can’t Stop Crunching On

I tend to choose my snacks based on what texture I am craving. If it’s something creamy that’s on my brain, I’ll grab some Greek yogurt. Or if I am feeling like something soft, I’ll make myself a jammy egg. Often, though, what I crave is something crunchy. Obviously, there are a lot of options in this department: Chips, popcorn, or pretzels are all well and good but lately, I want more. Call me greedy but I want my snack to have some added benefits like fiber and protein to make it really worth my while. Which is exactly why Bada Bean Bada Boom is my current crunchy snack of choice.

A Crunchy, Feel-Good Snack That’s Easy to Love

Bada Bean Snacks are roasted and seasoned broad beans, which are otherwise known as fava beans. While fava beans aren’t so commonly eaten in the US, they are popular around the world, in both fresh and dried form—and they are well worth getting to know. When dry roasted, they become as crispy as can be, with a mildly nutty flavor that’s easy to love. They’re perfectly satisfying roasted plain, with just a little sunflower oil and sea salt, but where the fun starts is in the flavors. Seasonings like Zesty Ranch and Sweet Sriracha make snack time even more interesting. Oh, and there’s even a couple of sweet varieties — Cocoa Dusted and Sweet Cinnamon — when your sweet tooth happens to be singing along with your crunch tooth. (Pro tip: Sprinkle a handful of either of the sweet Bada Bean flavors on top of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert.)

The Benefits of Plant-Based Snacking

We’re all looking to get more healthy, plant-based foods in our diet, so I am all for easy, convenient ways to do so that are a little out of the norm (because honestly, I am already eating plenty of salads). Beans may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of snack foods, but maybe they should be. They’re extra-versatile, after all, and happen to be packed with good nutrients like protein, fiber, and iron. Just a 1-oz. serving of Bada Beans contains 6-7 grams of protein, 5-6 grams of fiber, and 6-10 percent of your daily iron needs. That’s as much or more protein than an egg, which contains 6 grams, and more fiber than popcorn, which contains 3.5 grams in a three cup serving. So a couple of handfuls will quickly settle mid-afternoon hunger pangs while also curing the energy slump that comes with them.

Most importantly, though, it’s a plant-based snack that you can really feel good about without thinking too hard about it. There aren’t any hard-to-pronounce preservatives or additives on the label — only real, honest ingredients. Since it’s really just beans in the bag, Bada Beans are vegan as well as gluten- and soy-free. So it’s a snack that’s good for pretty much everyone. I’d say that makes them a people-pleaser in the best way possible.