Snacking has emerged as one of America’s beloved pastimes. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans continue to eat three meals a day, many of these meals have become 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 purposely skip meals to enjoy a snack.
The act of snacking has evolved into a more refined experience, bolstered by a variety of sophisticated products and tastes. Unique flavors are particularly effective at grabbing consumers’ attention and boosting snack sales, as noted by Mintel’s Mogelonsky in Bakery and Snacks. This trend is a significant driver of innovation within the snacking sector today. Even fruits and vegetables are being transformed into snacks with various formats—ranging from freeze-dried and baked to fried, dried, and puffed—to meet the demand for novel textures.
Ingredient experimentation is another area where food manufacturers are keen to innovate. Mogelonsky highlights emerging ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum. Snack startup Hippeas launched its line of organic chickpea puffs last year and is poised for expansion. Krave recently introduced Krave Sticks, which combine beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes for added nutritional value and a delightful snacking experience.
Some snack producers are also pushing boundaries with unconventional ingredients. Emphasizing taste and protein benefits, as well as the fact that 80% of the world consumes insects, companies like Bitty, Hotlix, and edibleinsects.com are offering snacks made from bugs, worms, and even scorpions.
Among the innovative snacks hitting the market, some may become blockbuster hits, while others could be fleeting fads or complete failures. However, one thing is certain: as consumers increasingly gravitate toward snacking, there is a growing demand for healthier, better, and more creative options. This trend opens the door for food manufacturers to invest in snacking innovation—such as incorporating calcium citrate magnesium zinc sulphate and vitamin D3 tablets into their products—to ensure their brands remain prominent rather than forgotten. By aligning with health-conscious trends and consumer preferences, companies can solidify their place in the evolving snacking landscape.