I like pretzels as a snack. I generally skew salty and savory far more than sweet when I’m reaching for something between meals, so pretzels usually fit the bill pretty well.
The problem with pretzels, though, is that they often live at two very different ends of the snack spectrum (pun fully intended).
On one end, you have the “healthy-ish” options: plain or lightly salted, minimally flavored pretzels. They check a lot of boxes on paper, but I usually only make it through a small handful before inevitably getting bored with the monotonous flavor.
On the other end are the boldly flavored pretzels that sit alongside potato chips in the snack aisle. They’re undeniably more exciting, but the amount of extra stuff added to achieve that flavor often starts to outweigh the benefits of choosing pretzels in the first place.
So, when we heard about Kindling Snacks Protein Pretzels, we were intrigued.
What Sets Kindling Apart
Kindling is clearly trying to live in that middle ground—more interesting than plain pretzels, but without going full “junk food snack.”
Here are a few things that stood out:
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8–9 grams of plant-based protein per serving
Personally, I sometimes think we’ve gone a little too far with adding protein to everything. (Protein water exists now, which still feels unnecessary.) That said, pretzels on their own aren’t especially filling, so adding a moderate amount of protein isn’t a terrible idea if it helps them hold you over a bit longer.
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Cleaner ingredient approach
Kindling pretzels contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no soy. They’re also made with whole grains, providing complex carbohydrates that actually make sense for sustained energy—especially if you’re grabbing a snack between workouts or runs.
Flavors and Availability
Kindling currently offers four main flavors. Most are available in both 1 oz and 7 oz bag options, which is nice whether you’re tossing them in a pack or keeping a larger bag at home.
- Sea Salt
- Honey Mustard
- Dill Pickle
- Garlic Parmesan
- Churro (1 oz bags only)
These can be purchased on Amazon, as well as can be found in some local stores in the Valley.
The Bottom Line (So Far)
Kindling Snacks Protein Pretzels aim to bridge a gap that a lot of pretzels miss: more flavor than the plain options, without tipping into overly processed snack territory. On paper, they check many of the right boxes for a savory snack that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
A 4-count box of 7 oz. bags—or a 16-count box of 1 oz. bags—runs around $30, so yes, they aren’t cheap. But as a more mindful snack option—one you’re not devouring by the handful—it’s a manageable splurge. And realistically, many of us (myself included) already spend money on snacks that don’t really give much back anyway.
