Top 5 Flavoured Seaweed Snacks

If you’re looking for a new leafy green to snack on, then look no further than flavoured seaweed snacks. Seaweed snacks have been increasing in popularity for the past few years, and with their versatility and impressive list of nutritional benefits, we can see why.

Seaweed snacks come in a variety of forms - some are crispy, others melt in your mouth, and you can even get seaweed garnish!

Seaweed has been used as an ingredient for centuries in some Asian cuisine and can be cooked into lots of different dishes, including sushi, soups, smoothies, and stews. The possibilities are endless. And with all their health benefits, it’s no wonder flavoured seaweed snacks have taken the world, and the internet, by storm. Move over kale, there’s a new leafy green on the block. 

What are seaweed snacks?

Seaweed is an edible form of algae and usually grows along rocky shorelines. It is a carbon-negative food source, meaning it requires no water or fertilisers for harvest, making it an eco-friendly snack for the eco-conscious among us.

Most flavoured seaweed snacks are made by brushing seaweed with oil and roasting until crispy. Flavour is added either, during the roasting process by using flavoured oils, or by seasoning after the snacks have been roasted.

Seaweed snacks can also come mixed with other vegetables and health foods, such as mushrooms and tempura. 

Health benefits of seaweed snacks

Seaweed snacks are a great, healthy food for you to snack on as they’re packed with vital vitamins and minerals. Seaweed absorbs nutrients from the seabed as it grows, making it a great source of vitamins. 

• Contributes to a healthy thyroid. Seaweed contains a concentrated dose of iodine and the amino acid tyrosine, both of which support healthy thyroid function.
• Iodine present in seaweed supports the conversion of food into energy in the cells.
• Good source of vitamins and minerals. Seaweed contains thiamine, iron, manganese, copper and small amounts of vitamin A, C, E and K.
• Contains antioxidants meaning it can fight oxidative stress in cells which is associated with some cancers.
• Improves gut health by adding fibre and polysaccharides to the diet, both of which support ‘good’ gut bacterial growth.
• Lowers cholesterol. Some research suggests seaweed can lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. 

5 seaweed snacks you should try

Now we’ve sold you on the variety of health benefits of seaweed, we’ve rounded up a list of our favourite dried seaweed snack products. Check it out below. 

• GIMME Roasted Organic Seaweed Snacks. Available in four flavours, olive oil, sesame, teriyaki, and sea salt. These seaweed snacks are organic, and offer both vegan and gluten free
• Honest Sea Roasted Seaweed Snacks. Honest Sea offers four flavours of seaweed snack which are wasabi, teriyaki, sesame, and sea salt and are organic with vegan and gluten free options. They can also be bought in multipacks.
• Wickedly Prime Roasted Seaweed Snacks. Flavoured with Korean spices, reviewers mention the crunchiness of this seaweed snack, comparing it to the flavour of potato chips. The brand is also certified organic.
• SeaSnax Seaweed Snacks. These offer an alternative to crunchy seaweed snacks by providing a melt in your mouth snack instead. The brand is entirely organic and offers multipacks in flavours like chipotle, toasty onion and original.
• Annie Chun’s Roasted Seaweed Snacks. Available in sesame and wasabi, Annie Chun’s are a firm favourite with seaweed snackers. These snacks are gluten-free and vegan. 

Other seaweed products to try

Seaweed isn’t just for snacking! In our research for the best seaweed snacks, we also came across a few brilliant seaweed products you can use in your meals too. Take a look at our finds below. 

• Nutritionist Choice offers a brilliant range of seaweed-based garnishes. These products come in a few styles, including a seaweed salad mix, toasted fine cut nori and wakame flakes. All are designed to be used to add flavour to your dishes in a quick and easy way. All products are vegan.
• Bragg Sea Kelp Seasoning. Made from dried Alaskan kelp, this savoury seasoning can be used to add a bit of fibre to any meal!
• GOLD MINE seaweed sheets. These sheets come in two varieties: Organic Raw Sushi Nori and Organic Toasted Sushi Nori and can be used as a quick snack, as a wrapper for rice balls and sushi, and can be added to soups and stews. The brand is organic, and all seaweed products are vegan and gluten free.
• POWER SUPER FOODS Organic Wakame Flakes Wild Canadian - Seaweed has long been enjoyed by coastal populations around the world. Perhaps its popularity can be attributed to its impressive nutritional profile: seaweed can contain up to 20 times the mineral content of most land vegetables

Conclusion

Flavoured seaweed snacks are a great, nutritious way to snack. Packed with vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients, seaweed snacks are both delicious and good for your health. Seaweed can also be used in recipes to add flavour and fibre to your diet. With all of the health benefits, we’re wondering why we didn’t start eating seaweed sooner! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best tasting seaweed snacks?

GIMME Roasted Seaweed snacks are popular among seaweed snackers, as are Honest Sea Roasted Seaweed Snacks. Reviewers favour Wickedly Prime Roasted Seaweed Snacks. All seaweed snacks come in a variety of flavours to cater to your taste. 

Is it OK to eat seaweed snacks?

Seaweed snacks are incredibly nutritious and are packed full of vitamins and minerals. They are also thought to lower cholesterol and improve gut health. As with any product, seaweed snacks should be consumed in moderation. Seaweed has a naturally high salt content as it grows in salt water so if you have been told to watch your salt intake, seaweed snacks may not be right for you. 

How healthy are seaweed snacks?

Seaweed snacks are a healthy option for snacking. Seaweed absorbs nutrients from the seabed as it grows and so seaweed snacks have high levels of several vital nutrients, including iodine, manganese, copper and thiamine. Seaweed snacks also contain fibre making them good for gut health. Seaweed does have naturally high levels of salt meaning they may not be suitable for anyone on a low-sodium diet. 

What are the best seaweed chips?

Annie Chun’s Seaweed Crisps are popular among reviewers and come in three flavours: sea salt, organic sea salt and wasabi. They are vegan and gluten free. Shore also offers a range of seaweed crisps in lightly salted, Asian Peking and sweet sriracha flavours.