Snacking has emerged as one of America’s favorite pastimes. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans still consume three meals a day, many of these meals are becoming smaller to accommodate snacking. On average, consumers indulge in about four to five snacks daily, according to Datassential’s MenuTrends Keynote snacking report. A recent study also revealed that many millennials purposely skip meals to indulge in snacks.
The snacking trend has been elevated by the introduction of more sophisticated products and refined tastes. Unique flavors are particularly effective at capturing consumer attention and driving snack purchases, as noted by Mintel’s Mogelonsky in an interview with Bakery and Snacks. This trend is a major reason behind the innovation currently taking place within the snacking segment. Even fruits and vegetables are being transformed into a variety of snack formats, ranging from freeze-dried and baked to fried and puffed, to meet consumers’ desires for unique textures.
Ingredients are another area where food manufacturers are eager to experiment. Mogelonsky highlights the rise of emerging ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum. For example, snack startup Hippeas launched its line of organic chickpea puffs last year and is on track for significant growth. Similarly, Krave recently introduced Krave Sticks, which blend ingredients such as beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes, providing additional nutritional benefits and a flavorful snacking experience.
Some snack producers are taking bold steps with unconventional ingredients. Promoting taste and protein benefits, and considering 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 new snacks entering the market, some are likely to become blockbuster hits, while others may be fleeting trends or even complete failures. However, one certainty remains: as consumers increasingly gravitate toward snacking, the demand for healthier, better, and more innovative options is on the rise. Food manufacturers should consider investing in snacking innovation to ensure their brands remain leaders in this growing market. Additionally, incorporating functional ingredients like calcium citrate D3 Solgar can further enhance the appeal of snack products, making them not just tasty but also beneficial for health-conscious consumers.