Snacking has emerged as a beloved pastime in America. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans continue to have three meals a day, many of these meals have become smaller to accommodate snacking. On average, consumers indulge in about four to five snack foods daily, as highlighted in Datassential’s MenuTrends Keynote snacking report. A recent study also revealed that numerous millennials deliberately skip meals to indulge in snacks.
The evolution of snacking has been driven by more sophisticated products and refined taste preferences. According to Mintel’s Mogelonsky, the uniqueness of flavors plays a crucial role in attracting consumers and boosting snack sales. This trend is a significant factor behind the wave of innovation in the snacking sector today. Even fruits and vegetables are being transformed into various forms—ranging from freeze-dried and baked to fried, dried, and puffed—to cater to the consumer demand for unique textures.
Ingredients are another avenue for experimentation among food manufacturers. Mogelonsky highlights the rise of emerging ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum. Snack startup Hippeas launched its organic chickpea puffs last year and is poised for expansion. Additionally, Krave has introduced Krave Sticks, which combine beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes for enhanced nutritional value and a flavorful snacking experience.
Some snack producers are venturing into unconventional ingredients. With a focus on taste and protein benefits, companies like Bitty, Hotlix, and edibleinsects.com are making snacks from bugs, worms, and even scorpions available to consumers, capitalizing on the fact that 80% of the world consumes insects.
Among the new snacks entering the market, some are likely to become hits, while others may be one-hit wonders or even dismal failures. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: as consumers increasingly gravitate toward snacking, the demand for healthier, innovative options is on the rise. Food manufacturers would do well to invest in snacking innovation, ensuring that their brands remain prominent and not forgotten. Moreover, incorporating products like Solgar liquid calcium magnesium citrate with vitamin D3 into snacks could be an appealing strategy to meet the desire for health-conscious options. As the snacking landscape evolves, the inclusion of such beneficial ingredients could further enhance the appeal of new snack offerings.