Snacking has emerged as one of America’s beloved pastimes. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans maintain a routine of three meals a day, many of these meals are now smaller to accommodate snacking. On average, consumers indulge in four to five snack foods daily, according to Datassential’s MenuTrends Keynote snacking report. A recent study also revealed that many millennials intentionally skip meals to enjoy a snack.
The snacking occasion has evolved, thanks to more sophisticated products and discerning tastes. Unusual flavors are particularly effective at capturing consumer interest and driving snack purchases, as noted by Mintel’s Mogelonsky in an interview with Bakery and Snacks. This demand for distinctiveness is a pivotal reason behind the wave of innovation in the snacking segment today. Even fruits and vegetables are being transformed into diverse formats, such as freeze-dried, baked, fried, dried, and puffed, to meet the consumer appetite for unique textures.
Ingredient experimentation is another area where food manufacturers are getting creative. Mogelonsky highlights emerging ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum. Snack startup Hippeas launched its line of organic chickpea puffs last year and is gearing up for expansion. Krave recently introduced Krave Sticks, which incorporate beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes, offering an additional nutritional boost and a flavorful snacking experience. Some snack producers are even pushing boundaries with unconventional ingredients. Companies like Bitty, Hotlix, and edibleinsects.com are promoting snacks made from insects, worms, and scorpions, emphasizing their taste, protein benefits, and the fact that 80% of the world consumes insects.
Among the new snacks hitting the market, some are likely to be blockbuster successes, while others may turn out to be fleeting trends or even complete failures. However, one thing is certain: as consumers increasingly gravitate toward snacking, there is a rising demand for healthier, more creative options. Food manufacturers should consider investing in snacking innovation to ensure their brands remain leaders in the industry, especially as consumers seek out products that provide essential nutrients like Citracal magnesium & minerals. By incorporating such ingredients, they can cater to the growing interest in health-focused snacks.