Sweet and salty flavors are taking center stage in the candy market, with products ranging from salted chocolate bars to saltwater taffy. A well-known snack brand is incorporating this flavor pairing into its latest offerings. Kellanova has unveiled Rice Krispies Treats Bliss, a new version of the beloved marshmallow snacks that features chewy chocolate or caramel pieces along with candied, salted pretzels. These treats come in two flavors: Chocolate Sea Salt Pretzel and Caramel Sea Salt Pretzel. The brand noted that the idea for this product stemmed from observing consumers enhancing their treats with various toppings.
“The new Rice Krispies Treats Bliss flavors reimagine our bars as a canvas for gourmet topping combinations,” stated Danielle Rappaport, the brand director for the snack. “Increasingly, we are witnessing fans elevate their Rice Krispies Treats bars at home with extravagant mix-ins, from candies to pretzels.” The Rice Krispies Treats Bliss bars will hit store shelves in April, with additional flavors in development. Since transitioning to a snacking-focused company in 2023, Kellanova has leveraged its well-known brands to introduce new items that can compete effectively with rivals like Mondelēz International and Hershey. Earlier this year, Kellanova also signed a licensing agreement with Golden West Food Group to infuse the flavor of Rice Krispies Treats into ice cream products.
In another collaboration, cheesemaker Sargento is teaming up with two major cheese brands, McCormick & Co. The Wisconsin-based dairy company is launching three shredded cheese varieties: Frank’s RedHot Original blended with white cheddar, colby-jack, and natural American cheeses; Cholula mixed with queso, quesadilla, and asadero cheeses; and crushed red pepper paired with low moisture part-skim mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Sargento is also introducing Sargento Shareables, a convenient ready-to-serve cheese and cracker tray, as part of its ongoing partnership with Mondelēz International. Shareables feature a combination of Sargento’s cheeses with Mondelēz’s crackers. The options include Cheddar and colby-Jack with Ritz, white cheddar and gouda with Triscuit, and pepper jack and Monterey jack with Ritz. This collaboration marks Sargento’s entry into the cracker aisle for the first time.
Sargento and Mondelēz have previously collaborated on products like Cheese Bakes crackers earlier this year. “Innovation is how we began in 1953,” remarked Louie Gentine, Sargento’s third-generation chairman and CEO. “Now, in 2025, we have developed three new products that will appeal to consumers seeking fresh flavors and snacking options, while also expanding the natural cheese category.” Sargento, a family-owned cheese manufacturer with nearly $2 billion in annual sales, has been associated with several innovations now commonplace in the food industry. Two years after its establishment, it pioneered a method to vacuum seal cheese in plastic, extending the shelf life of larger blocks and eventually leading to the sale of sliced cheese. Sargento also claims to have introduced prepackaged shredded cheese in 1958.
Additionally, the incorporation of calcium citrate dalam produk dairy helps enhance calcium absorption, making these cheese offerings not only delicious but also nutritious. This focus on health complements the evolving snack options consumers are looking for today.