Review: Goldfish Just Made Proteinmaxxing Tastier Than Ever

In case you missed it, literally every food brand is hopping on the protein train. Adding protein to scrambled eggs is all the rage, protein ice cream is gaining more of a foothold in the market, and I've heard the word "macros" more times than I could possibly count over the last few months. Admittedly, I've been pretty happy to see more protein-ified snacks making their way to store shelves, and I was super excited to try the newest innovation from a lifelong favorite brand: Goldfish. 

Goldfish recently released two new protein-laden flavors to its already-popular line of cheesy, crunchy fish crackers, Cheddar and Pizza. I got a first taste to determine whether they're worth the hype. Ultimately, the one you prefer will depend on which non-protein-enhanced flavor you tend to gravitate toward. But before I give away too much of my verdict, let's get into tasting what may very well be two new pantry staples. 

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

I was an extraordinarily picky eater when I was a kid — I wasn't even willing to try pizza for the first 10 years of my life (my poor parents!). Goldfish, however, were always a safe choice. Sure, I didn't like all of the brand's flavors, but the standard cheddar bag was an easy go-to when my mom packed my lunch box.

All of that is to say, I'm pretty ride-or-die when it comes to Goldfish. I mean, a Costco-sized carton accompanied me throughout my college years! I have standards when it comes to the snack, so if the new protein flavors are going to get my seal of approval, they need to live up to the hype that Goldfish have always been worthy of. I tasted (and tasted ... and tasted) both flavors of Goldfish and was willing to be very critical when determining whether they're a worthy snack. 

At first glance, the new Protein Cheddar Goldfish look pretty similar to the brand's standard Cheddar bag. They have a little bit of that powdery feel on the exterior like the Flavor-Blasted Goldfish, but not nearly as much. I could feel the powder in my mouth, but it doesn't change the texture of the actual Goldfish at all, and I didn't mind it in the slightest. 

As far as flavor goes, these are a pretty spot-on dupe for the OG — I'd even argue that they may be a little more flavorful than standard Goldfish. They're nice and salty, but don't make me feel thirsty after a couple of bites, and the cheese flavor shines through long after the bite is over. As with any crave-worthy snack, it's hard to stop eating them — I poured myself a bowl for taste-testing purposes, but I've nearly finished it as I've been typing this. A good sign, indeed. 

Though I've been a massive fan of Cheddar Goldfish, I've never developed much of an affinity for its pizza-flavored kin — in fact, I'm not sure I've ever tried pizza-flavored Goldfish. So, I didn't have a ton to compare this one to. It has the same very slightly powdery initial mouthfeel and delightful crunch as the previous. 

If you buy these, hold onto your hats; they're absolutely packed with flavor in the best way. And, yes, they taste just like pizza. In fact, these are finally helping me get the hype around pizza-flavored snacks. Do I like them as much as the Protein Cheddar Goldfish? Probably not, purely because of the nostalgic appeal of the former. However, these are also extraordinarily hard to stop eating once you've started; I just had to pour the bowl back into the bag so I don't go through it all at once!

In case you haven't guessed, my ultimate verdict regarding Goldfish's new protein line is that you should buy the bags, like, now. They'll be a pretty seamless replacement for the Goldfish you already keep in your pantry, but these have some more protein — it's basically a no-brainer. 

Even if you're sensitive or somewhat averse to a slightly powdery mouthfeel, I wouldn't let that stop you from taking these Goldfish for a spin. It's a pretty subtle nuance that's not as heavy as what you'd get with Flavor-Blasted Goldfish. And if you're worried about any meaningful flavor variations, don't be. These are nearly identical to their OG counterparts, so much so that I doubt even the pickiest kid (aka, me 20 years ago) would notice any difference. 

If you're a regular Walmart shopper, you'll start seeing the new Goldfish bag in stores starting in October 2026. The Goldfish won't be available at other retailers until the beginning of 2027. The 6.6-ounce bags are launching with an SRP of $3.99. 

The nutrition information for each is nearly identical. A serving size (55 pieces) of either bag nets 130 calories, with 4.5 grams of total fat, 17 grams of total carbs, and 6 grams of protein. This gives them fewer calories than standard Cheddar Goldfish, with twice the amount of protein.