If you’ve ever packed a lunch box for yourself, your grandkids, or anyone in between, chances are you’ve tossed in a bag of those crunchy, green Harvest Snaps Baked Pea Crisps. They’re a staple in many Aussie pantries—touted as a healthier alternative to chips, and, let’s be honest, they’re pretty moreish! But what if we told you that these beloved snacks aren’t quite what you think they are? Prepare to have your mind blown, just like thousands of other Aussies.

The Great Pea Debate: Are They Really Just Dried Peas?



It all started when TikTok creator Nia bravely confessed her confusion to the world. 'I’m about to be called the dumbest woman alive, but it’s fine, I’ve been called that before,' she joked, holding up a bag of Harvest Snaps. 'These yummy snacks I’ve been eating for years, these gorgeous green bean pea goodness. It wasn’t until last year that I found out these aren’t dehydrated peas. They’re just shaped as peas.'

Wait, what? For years, many of us have assumed that these snacks were simply whole peas, dried and seasoned. After all, the packaging shows a pod, and the snack itself looks suspiciously like a pea pod. But as Nia pointed out, the truth is a little more complicated.


Aussies Everywhere Are Shook

Nia’s revelation struck a chord, with commenters flooding in to share their own shock. 'I swear they were marketed as dehydrated peas when they first came out,' one person wrote. Another added, 'I consider myself to be relatively intelligent, and I too just thought they were dehydrated peas for soooo long.' The confusion was widespread, with many admitting they’d never questioned the snack’s origins.

Some even worried that the snack might not contain any peas at all, or that it wasn’t as healthy as they’d believed. 'HUH I thought I was eating VEGETABLES,' one commenter exclaimed. Another, perhaps in denial, said, 'But the first ingredient says green peas, so I’m gonna keep telling myself it counts as a vegetable lol.'



So, What’s Really Inside?

With the debate raging, Nia did some digging and posted a follow-up video explaining the real process behind these crunchy snacks. And, in a rare move, the official Harvest Snaps account chimed in to set the record straight.

'Happy to share the process of how we make our snacks!' they wrote. 'We start with whole green peas (we mill it in-house), then we form them into fun pod shapes and bake it for the perfect crunch! You’ll find that veggies are listed as our very 1st ingredient.'



So, while you’re not munching on a whole, dried pea, you are still getting a snack made primarily from green peas—just ground up, mixed with a few other ingredients, and shaped into those familiar pods before being baked to crispy perfection.

Are They Still Healthy?

This revelation might have you wondering: are Harvest Snaps still a healthy choice? The answer is, well, it depends on your definition of 'healthy.' The first ingredient is indeed green peas, which means you’re getting some veggie goodness. They’re also baked, not fried, and tend to be lower in fat and calories than traditional potato chips.



However, like most processed snacks, they do contain added ingredients—such as rice, oil, and seasonings—to achieve that irresistible crunch and flavour. So, while they’re not quite the same as eating a handful of fresh peas, they’re certainly a better option than many other salty snacks.

The Power of Packaging: Why We’re So Easily Fooled

This whole saga is a great reminder of how packaging and marketing can shape our perceptions. The image of a pea pod on the bag, the green colour, and the pod-like shape of the snack all work together to convince us we’re eating something straight from the garden. It’s a clever bit of food engineering—and a testament to how easily we can be led astray by appearances!



Other Surprising Snack Secrets

Harvest Snaps aren’t the only snack to have pulled the wool over our eyes. Did you know that many 'fruit' snacks are made from fruit juice concentrate and sugar, rather than whole fruit? Or that some 'veggie chips' are mostly potato with just a dusting of beetroot or spinach powder for colour? It pays to read the ingredients list if you’re trying to make healthier choices.

The Bottom Line



At the end of the day, Harvest Snaps are still a tasty, veggie-based snack that can be enjoyed in moderation. They might not be the whole, dried peas we thought they were, but they’re not a total fraud either. If you love them, there’s no need to feel guilty—just remember, as with all snacks, balance is key.

You can watch Nia's video below:


We want to hear from you! Did you know the truth about Harvest Snaps, or were you just as surprised as the rest of us? Have you discovered any other 'healthy' snacks that weren’t quite what they seemed? Share your thoughts, snack confessions, and lunch box favourites in the comments below! Let’s get the conversation (and the snacking) going!