Snacking has emerged as one of America’s most beloved pastimes. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans continue to eat three meals a day, many of these meals are smaller to accommodate snacking. On average, consumers indulge in about four to five snacks daily, as revealed by Datassential’s MenuTrends Keynote snacking report. A recent study also highlighted that numerous millennials intentionally skip meals to enjoy snacks instead.
The concept of snacking has evolved, now featuring more sophisticated products and flavors. According to Mintel’s Mogelonsky, the more unique the flavor, the higher the likelihood of capturing consumer interest and boosting snack sales. This trend is a significant driver of innovation in the snacking sector today. Even fruits and vegetables are being transformed into various snack formats—ranging from freeze-dried and baked to fried, dried, and puffed—to meet consumers’ cravings for distinctive textures.
Another area ripe for experimentation is ingredients. Mogelonsky points out that emerging components like lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum are gaining traction. Snack startup Hippeas launched its line of organic chickpea puffs last year and is poised for expansion. Additionally, Krave has introduced Krave Sticks, which blend ingredients such as beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes, offering enhanced nutritional benefits and a flavorful snacking experience.
Some snack producers are venturing into unconventional territories with quirky ingredients. Highlighting the taste and protein advantages, and noting that 80% of the world consumes insects, companies like Bitty, Hotlix, and edibleinsects.com are bringing bugs, worms, and even scorpions to the snack aisle.
As new snacks enter the market, some are likely to become blockbuster hits, while others may be one-hit wonders or even disastrous flops. Nonetheless, one thing is certain: as consumers increasingly gravitate toward snacking, there’s a rising demand for healthier, more innovative options. Incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate with food can further enhance the nutritional profile of these snacks. Thus, it’s wise for food manufacturers to invest in snacking innovation to ensure their brands are leaders in the market rather than being overlooked. Interestingly, the integration of calcium citrate with food reflects a growing trend towards health-conscious snacking, marking another exciting frontier in the evolving snack landscape.