The 8 Best Cricket Powders
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in October of 2017. Cricket powder is fast becoming the supplement of choice for many, including those on keto and paleo diets, as it provides a good dose of protein and other essential vitamins. It also provides more vitamin B12 than salmon, up to three times the protein of beef, and 20 percent more iron than spinach. Those with a shellfish allergy should avoid eating it though, as it may cause a reaction. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Lithic Nutrition Pure
2. Chirps Protein Blend
3. Cricket Flours All-Natural
Editor's Notes
July 30, 2020:
Cricket powder may seem odd to the average North American consumer, but eating insects is actually quite common in most of the world. In fact, different species of bugs are regularly eaten in 80-percent of the world's nations. Once you get over the mental aspect of it and realize how nutritious crickets are, and how sustainable of a food source they are, it makes sense to incorporate them into your diet. That being said, it is important for those with shellfish allergies to avoid it, as it can cause a similar reaction to eating crustaceans in some.
We thought it worthwhile to include both pure varieties as well as those that are blended with other ingredients that can make them easier to incorporate into smoothies and baked goods. For example, Chirps Protein Blend and Chapul Protein both come in chocolate or vanilla flavors and taste much like traditional protein powders, so you should have no trouble creating tasty pre- or post-workout shakes from them.
While most can be used for baking, it can take a little experimentation to get the ratios right when first starting out. Cricket Flours All Purpose solves that problem for you. It already contains the correct amount of wheat flour, so it allows for a 1-to-1 substitute for the regular variety in most recipes. This does mean it doesn't have as healthy of a nutrient profile as some others, though.
If you are careful about the foods you introduce into your diet, then you might be best served with Lithic Nutrition Pure, Cricket Flours All-Natural, Entomo Farms 2050, Thailand Unique Cricketerra, or Bud's Pure. All of these are single-ingredient options, so you don't have to worry about sweeteners, artificial fillers, or them causing issues for people with sensitivities. Entomo Farms 2050 is even USDA organic certified for those looking to avoid chemicals and hormones.
March 22, 2019:
At this time, there are availability issues with Crik Nutrition Premium, so we decided to remove it. We still believe that Lithic Foods Pure and Cricket Flours All-Natural are top choices, however, as both are created to the highest quality standards. Both include a handy PDF cookbook, as well, a nice touch for those who might be a little unsure about how to start reaping the benefits of this food. And while they're on the more expensive side, it's true in this case that you get what you pay for. We also decided to keep Thailand Unique Cricketerra, although it's worth noting that it is generally believed to have a sharper flavor than many. Of course, taste is subjective, so it's tough to say definitively that it is, in fact, more pungent. Finally, we added Bud's Premium, another somewhat pricey option that is conveniently offered in a half-pound bag. If you're new to cricket powder and don't want to take too big of a leap, it might be a good place to start.
Special Honors
Exo Protein Pure Made of 100% milled crickets, Exo Protein Pure is a nutrient-rich powder that fits into Keto and Paleo diets. The insects are raised on a USDA-certified organic diet, and the end product is non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. The company also makes cricket-based protein bars for easy and healthy on-the-go snacks. exoprotein.com
4. Entomo Farms 2050
5. Thailand Unique Cricketerra
6. Chapul Protein
7. Bud's Pure
8. Cricket Flours All Purpose
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.